Sydney Writers Festival

SESSION 1: 10AM – 11AM

MARKUS ZUSAK: THREE WILD DOGS AND THE TRUTH

Twenty years after his international sensation The Book Thief, Markus Zusak turns to non-fiction. Listen as Markus extols on love and human-animal connection in his memoir about his three big pound dogs. In conversation with Richard Glover.

SESSION 2: 12AM – 13PM

GINA CHICK: WE ARE THE STARS

Hear Alone Australia winner Gina Chick regale you with stories of her extraordinary life, from her unconventional childhood to deep links with nature as an adult. With Rosemarie Milsom.

SESSION 3: 2PM – 3PM

DAVID NICHOLLS: YOU ARE HERE

Travel the winding road of love through first encounters and second chances with bestselling novelist and screenwriter David Nicholls, in conversation with Jennifer Byrne on his latest love story.

SESSION 4: 4PM – 5PM

PAST AND FUTURE OF INDIGENOUS RECOGNITION

Respected Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo and historian Clare Wright reflect on the history of First Nations movements for change in Australia and look at next steps. With Lorena Allam.

SESSION 5: 6PM – 7PM

KALIANE BRADLEY: THE MINISTRY OF TIME

Question what it means to change the world by defying history with Kaliane Bradley’s bestselling debut, which blends time travel, romance and spy thriller. With host Melanie Kembrey.

SESSION 6: 8PM – 9PM

STATE OF THE ART: THE NOVEL

Join esteemed novelists Rumaan Alam, Robbie Arnott, Samantha Harvey and Torrey Peters as they discuss the state of the novel with host ABC Radio National’s Kate Evans (The Bookshelf).

SESSION 1: 10AM - 11AM

THE MORIARTY SISTERS

Join the Moriarty sisters, Jaclyn, Liane and Nicola, as they discuss their career beginnings, different publishing paths and many successes with writer and broadcaster Sarah Macdonald.

SESSION 2: 12PM - 1PM

HELEN GARNER: THE SEASON

Hear iconic Australian writer Helen Garner’s reflections on football and the cycles of life in The Season, her first full-length book in a decade. In conversation with David Leser.

SESSION 3: 2PM - 3PM

ALAN HOLLINGHURST: OUR EVENINGS

Hear Alan Hollinghurst discuss his seventh novel, a rich and pleasurable account of a lifetime in modern England and the search for identity. In conversation with Georgina Godwin.

SESSION 4: 4PM - 5PM

COLM TÓIBÍN: FROM BROOKLYN TO LONG ISLAND

Hear how Laureate of Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín returned to the Lacey family of international bestseller Brooklyn with the long-awaited sequel, set 20 years after Rose’s death. With ABC Radio National’s Kate Evans (The Bookshelf).

SESSION 5: 6:00PM - 7:00PM

UNTRUE CRIME

Novelist Shankari Chandran, investigative journalist Kate McClymont and Diamond Dagger Award winner Ian Rankin discuss the line between fact and fiction in the stories they tell about crime. With host Matthew Condon.


SESSION 6: 8:00PM - 9:30PM

QUEERSTORIES

Celebrating the culture and creativity of the LGBTQIA+ community one true story at a time, Festival favourite Queerstories has played to crowds big and small, from Mudgee to Murwillumbah, Albury to Adelaide, Brisbane and beyond. Featuring Rumaan Alam, Hasib Hourani, Daniel Nour, Torrey Peters and more.

SESSION 1: 10AM - 11AM

BAKERS’ DELIGHT

With host Jennifer Wong, get special insight into the art and business of baking from the queens of Australian pastry, Flour and Stone's Nadine Ingram, Beatrix Bakes's Natalie Paull and Lune Croissanterie's Kate Reid.

SESSION 2: 12PM - 1PM

A.C. GRAYLING ON CANCEL CULTURE

Philosopher A.C. Grayling traces ‘cancel culture’ back to the ancient Greeks and tries to find a middle ground among the incendiary debates fanned by contemporary culture wars.

SESSION 3: 2PM - 3PM

BEN MACINTYRE: THE SIEGE

Ben Macintyre discusses his definitive account of the 1980 Iranian embassy siege in London which put the SAS on the world stage. With ABC Radio National’s Richard Fidler (Conversations).

SESSION 4: 4PM - 5PM

IAN RANKIN: MASTER OF CRIME

Following the latest instalment of the Inspector Rebus series, Ian Rankin reflects on his career as an international bestselling author and the UK’s #1 crime writer. With Michael Williams.

SESSION 5: 5:30PM - 6:30PM

WANDERING WILD WITH LYNETTE NONI

Lynette Noni is the bestselling and award-winning author of The Prison Healer series, The Medoran Chronicles, and the Whisper duology. She appears in conversation with Alex Adsett to discuss her latest novel, Wandering Wild.

SESSION 6: 7:30PM - 8:30PM

ASAKO YUKUZI: BUTTER

Join Asako Yuzuki as she talks about her international bestseller Butter and the transgressive pleasures of food, in a live translated event with Carody Culver.

SESSION 1: 10AM - 11AM

TRUMPOCALYPSE NOW

Listen in as experts on US politics Peter Beinart, Nick Bryant and Emma Shortis unpack Trump’s first months in office and what to expect over the next four years. With host Barrie Cassidy.


SESSION 2: 11:30PM - 12:30PM

THE HOT MESS SHOW WITH JEFF KINNEY

Join Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney for wild on-stage antics. Celebrate the latest Wimpy Kid book while satisfying your craving for family fun! Rec. ages 7–12.


SESSION 3: 1:30PM - 2:30PM

MAKING A WRITER

Prominent writers Colm Tóibín and Charlotte Wood discuss how they became writers and what Ireland and Australia’s literary culture means to them. With host Michael Williams.


SESSION 4: 3:30PM - 4:30PM

SPIES, LIES AND SECRETS

Join Jack Beaumont and Ben Macintyre as they lead you into the reality of espionage and intrigue, in conversation with Matthew Condon.


SESSION 5: 5:30PM - 6:30PM

Closing Address
ANNA FUNDER: BEARS OUT THERE

Anna Funder’s work explores the best and worst that humans are capable of. Hear her discuss how we can resist the exploitation of our humanity in a world where bots and tech bros see humans as raw material.