The Writing NSW Kids & YA Festival will now take place on Saturday 13 March, 2021! Directed by best-selling, internationally published children’s author Belinda Murrell, the Festival will showcase some of Australia’s best-known and dearly loved authors, illustrators, publishers, media personnel and industry professionals.

Welcome to 2021, writers! Fingers crossed that this year will be better than the last. Looking for something to add to your to-read list for the year? We’ve come out of the holiday season with some great recommendations.

This has been a year of triumphs and hardships, and we’ve been equal parts proud and humbled to share it with you, in solidarity. As a thank-you, we’ve gathered our literary favourites of the year, paired with a tea surprise!

It’s the end of the year! See off 2020 with a wave and a hooroo with some of these exciting, thought-provoking literary events.

‘Writing is a tough and lonely journey, but also immensely satisfying and fun. Seek out those who can travel alongside you and continue to make use of all the workshops and opportunities available. Together, we form our own communities.’

‘Re-writing is the most powerful tool any writer has. Be prepared to kill your darlings.’

‘[I wanted] to show the complexity of our relationship with pools as much more than places where we learn to swim and cool off in summer… the pool has inspired imaginations, built courage, fulfilled dreams, provided a refuge and, for some, has been a type of church.’