NSW Writers’ Centre staff share the events they have circled in their planners for mid-October and November. Find out what’s happening and keep your finger on NSW’s social literary pulse. In this Writing on Our Calendar we have served up a taste plate of new and established happenings that we recommend. So venture out to share ideas, hear great stories and mingle with the literary community.
15 October – Out of the Vaults – Crime: Tales Tall and True
This event will highlight an amazing array of items from the State Library’s collection that document the stories of crimes committed, while showcasing an extensive range of crime fiction. Thursday, 6pm to 7.30pm, State Library. $30, bookings required. Purchase tickets here.
17 October – Charlotte Wood in conversation with Walter Mason
Charlotte Wood in conversation with Walter Mason about her new novel, The Natural Way of Things. They’ll be talking nature, food, feminism and many other things. Book for sale and signing. Saturday, 11am, Ashfield Library. Free Entry.
20 October – Raising the Bar Sydney
Sydney’s watering holes will be transformed into classrooms for one night as 20 academics enter 20 bars to deliver 20 
thought-provoking talks. The University of Sydney has joined Raising the Bar to bring the popular worldwide initiative, which has previously run in New York, Hong Kong and London, to Sydneysiders. Talks on a range of topics from ‘Ctrl, alt, complete: can computers make us happy?’ to ‘Speeding teens and gambling grannies: the surprising reasons we take risks.” Tuesday, 6.30pm, across a range of Sydney inner-city bars. Free, online booking required, book here.
22 October – Talking Writing: Refugee Stories
Refugees from many parts of the world have made new homes in Australia, contributing to our cultural and literary life. Come along to the NSW Writers’ Centre to hear some of the stories that have come out of that experience. Thursday, 6.30pm to 8pm, NSW Writers’ Centre. Free to members, $10 for non-members. RSVP to events@nswwc.org.au or book online here.
28 October – Mudgee Readers’ Festival Book Swap
The Mudgee Readers’ Festival and Mudgee Underground are holding a book swap, come literary live-art extravaganza. Bring along a book that you think someone else really should read and swap it for something that you haven’t read yet. Also local artist Sam Paine will draw scenes from the favourite books of Summer Land, Luke Carman and Susie Bennett as they read them aloud. Wednesday, 6:30pm, Roth’s Wine Bar, Mudgee. Free entry, more information here.
28 October – Late Night Library: KX The Strip
Late Night Library presents a unique and immersive show that digs the dirt on some of the most extraordinary true stories from Kings Cross. Using song and storytelling to introduce you to some of the Cross’ most enduring true stories. Wednesday, 8pm to 9pm, Kings Cross Library, 50-52 Darlinghurst Rd, King Cross. Free, visit their website.
31 October – 29 November – Good Works
Darlinghurst Theatre Company is showing Good Works by Nick Enright. Good Works is an enthralling memory play set across several decades and three generations. Centered on two boyhood friends whose family histories shape them as men, this is a tale of past crimes and misdemeanours, and innocence lost. Book tickets here.
2 November – The Moth Story Slam
The Moth is a non-profit group based in New York dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. This month’s theme is Celebration. Story slammers prepare a five-minute story about a celebration. Opulent parties with champagne and fancy cheese or a hootenanny with jug whisky and a single bag of chips. Monday, 7pm, stories begin at 7.30pm, Oxford Arts Factory, Darlinghurst,. Book tickets online here.
4 November – Launch of Happiness by Martin Harrison
A celebration of the life and work of Martin Harrison and the launch of his last volume of poetry, Happiness. Wednesday, 6pm, UTS. Free entry. More information here.
5 November – Poetics, Writing, Thought, Session 16: Mark Mordue & Matthew Thompson 
Poetics, Writing, Thought is a colloquium series at the University of Technology, Sydney based on recent and in-progress research, creative, and critical work. Each session consists of two presentations followed by responses, questions, and discussion. Mark Mordue is a writer, journalist and editor based in Sydney (also a NSW Writers’ Centre tutor). Matthew Thompson is the author of two books of international reportage, Running with the Blood God and My Colombian Death (2013 and 2008 from Picador). Thursday, 6.30pm, Bon Marche Studio, Level 1 in the Bon Marche Building at UTS. Free entry. More information here.
6 November – 23 December – Mortido
Belvoir will present a new work by Australian playwright Angela Betzien, Mortido. Mortido is a crime drama, revenge tragedy and morality play rolled into one. In other words, a quintessential Sydney tale. Co-commissioned by Belvoir and Playwriting Australia. For tickets visit their website.
8 November – The Writers’ Tent at the Newtown Festival
A jam-packed day of author talks, panels and in-coversation discussions with some of Australia’s most loved authors. Sunday, 11am to 5pm, Better Read Than Dead, 265 King St, Newtown. Find out more here.
11 November – Late Night Library: Archer – In Conversation
Archer Magazine is an award-winning print publication about sexuality, gender and identity. For Late Night Library, Archer brings together voices from its upcoming fifth issue for a dynamic discussion on place, culture and identity, hosted by Editor, Amy Middleton. Wednesday, 8-9pm, Kings Cross Library, free entry. More information here.