For our monthly Writing On Our Calendar feature, we bring you a round up of literary events happening in Sydney and around NSW. Check out some of the wonderful writing events taking place this February!
2 February: Google News Initiative: Data Journalism workshop
A two-hour in-person workshop introducing journalists to the basics of data journalism and telling stories with numbers. Co-presented by Google Trends Data Journalist Pallavi Singhal and Google Fellow / ABC Journalist Mridula Amin, and moderated by the Walkley Foundation’s Kate Burgess.
4 February: Story Time & Chat with R. A. Spratt
Join Better Read Than Dead for story time with R. A. Spratt, to celebrate the release of the latest book in the Friday Barnes series, Last Chance.
5 February: Taken Launch with Dinuka McKenzie
Join Dinuka McKenzie as she celebrates the release her book, Taken. Dinuka will be in conversation with Ashley Kalagian Blunt at Better Read Than Dead in Newtown.
9 February: A Literary Luncheon with Holly Throsby
Join The Friends of Wollongong City Library for a literary lunch with Holly Throsby at the Wollongong Council building. Holly speak about her latest novel, Clarke, as well as her previous works.
9 February: An Evening with David Sedaris
Following the release of his latest book Happy-Go-Lucky, author and humourist David Sedaris returns to the Concert Hall for an evening of storytelling, observations, unpublished tales, audience Q&A’s and book signings.
11 February: Sydney Language Festival 2023: Constructed languages
Over a thousand languages have been constructed over the past 900 years. This talk with Esperanto NSW president Jonathan Cooper will explore some of these fascinating recent additions, looking at their purpose, development, vocabulary and philosophy.
10 February: Autism and the Writer
This hybrid workshop run by the Queensland Writers Centre is available to livestream online. Autistic writer and head of Spectrum Writing Jason Fischer will guide participants through the ways that a writer with autism can succeed. Neurodivergent writers may apply to the Queensland Writers Centre for subsidised places.
17 – 26 February: Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival 2023
The annual Festival celebrates the birth of Banjo Paterson with over 20 events taking place in Orange, including market days, winery and pub events, as well as the Australian Bush Poetry Competition.
19 February: The Queer is not for Sale | EnQueer x SWP Series
After last year’s successful Queer Writer’s festival, EnQueer is bringing a two-panel series to Sydney WorldPride. The Queer is Not for Sale is an exploration of the ethics of queer memoir in a capitalist literary culture, focusing on the queer memoir.
19 February: <skull emoji> | EnQueer x SWP Series
As part of a two-panel series presented by Enqueer, <skull emoji> is an exploration of the nihilistic sensibilities of Gen Z on queer young adult writing.
22 February: Blackout Poetry at Chatswood Library
Come together at Chatswood Library to experiment with creative writing, using blackout poetry – a form of poetry creating brand new stories from existing texts.
22 February: Archer Magazine Queer Ideas Forum
This event is presented by Archer magazine, a Melbourne-based publication examining sexuality, gender and identity. The forum will explore some of the magazine’s most wanted topics – including drag, gender, sex work, and polyamory.
23 February: Zine Workshop: Queer Protest
Inspired by this year’s Sydney Pride theme ‘Gather, Amplify, Dream’, join this workshop at Ashfield Library to create your own unique protest zine.
23 February: Queer Lit Double Bill – Mixed Metaphors | On Queer East Asian Pride
A double feature presented by Sydney Opera House and Sydney WorldPride. Mixed Metaphors sees a handful of poets and authors discuss poetry and metaphor to express the ineffable nature of queer life. In Queer East Asian Pride, a collection of queer writers will discuss the joys and nuances of queer East Asian identities both in Asia and the diaspora. Hosted by Benjamin Law.
24 – 26 February: Cairns Tropical Writers Festival
The biennial festival returns in 2023, bringing together writers and readers for a weekend of inspiration with a tropical backdrop.
25 February: Sign Poetry Workshop
This workshop is for those looking to develop and perform Sign Poetry and be more creative with Auslan. Taking place either online or face-to-face in Marrickville, this workshop is suitable for D/deaf, hard of hearing, CODAs or Auslan users.
More from Writing NSW
Check out our full range of writing courses in Sydney, our online writing courses and our feedback programs to see how we can help you on your creative writing journey. Find out about our grants and prizes, as well as writing groups across NSW, and sign up to our weekly newsletter for writing events, opportunities and giveaways.