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 March!
1 March: State of the (Writing) Nation: Jennifer Down
Writers Victoria’s annual address from a prominent Australian writer, a chance to reflect on what’s happening and where we’re heading in Australian literature and publishing. Hosted by Cheng, Andy Jackson and Christos Tsiolkas, the evening will also feature a short virtual reading from Mykaela Saunders, editor of This All Come Back Now. There is a livestream option available.
1 March: An Evening With Sir David Hare
Join UNSW Centre for Ideas as they host an in-conversation with playwright Sir David Hare about politics, writing, and a lifelong career in theatre.
1 March: Nicci French in conversation with Candice Fox
Join Roaring Stories Balmain in collaboration with BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival as Nicci Gerard and Sean French – the married writing duo behind Nicci French – talk about their new crime fiction, The Favour.
2 March: Kate Legge in conversation with Susan Wyndham
At this author event, join Kate Legge in conversation with Susan Wyndham, former literary editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, as she discusses her new memoir, Infidelity and Other Affairs.
2 March: Agapi & Other Kinds of Love
Join the Chau Chak Wing Museum as Greek-Australian poet and rapper, Luka Lesson, launches his new verse novel, Agapi & Other Kinds of Love, surrounded by ancient Greek artefacts in the Museum’s galleries.
3 March: Dark Mode Launch with Ashley Kalagian Blunt
Join Ashley Kalagian Blunt as she celebrates the release of her latest book, Dark Mode. Ashley will be in conversation with Anna Downes at Better Read Than Dead Newtown.
3 – 5 March: M/OTHER: A weekend of fearless conversation
Featuring a line-up of international and Australian writers, thinkers and creators, M/OTHER acts as a conversation starter for complex topics such as the birthing body, maternal figures, the perinatal health system, and gendered roles in parenting. Taking place at the Wheeler Centre (VIC) and online.
4 March: Queerstories x World Pride
Join host Maeve Marsden and an incredible line up of guests for an all-star edition of Australia’s favourite queer storytelling night. Vulnerable and fierce, hilarious and heartbreaking, Queerstories celebrates the culture and creativity of the LGBTQI+ community.
4 March – 22 April: Writer’s Space – Blacktown
The Writer’s Space is a six-week program open to writers with disability. Writers at all levels of experience and working in any genre are welcome. Facilitated by Fiona Murphy, each session will focus on a different theme – from idea generation to developing compelling characters.
8 March: The Power of Poetry: Simon Armitage
UNSW Centre for Ideas hosts Laureate Simon Armitage for a poetry reading and conversation about creativity, place, and a navigating life as a poet.
11 March: Make and Create: Spoken Word Writing Workshop
Join writer, poet and performer Miles Merrill for a spoken word writing workshop at Ashfield Library. Miles combines poetry with theatre, experimental audio, hip-hop beats, and stand-up.
11 – 13 March: All About Women Festival
This two-day festival at the Sydney Opera House celebrates extraordinary thinkers, writers and artists, and poses vital questions about gender, equality and justice. In 2023, AAW enters its second decade with a program co-curated by Jamila Rizvi, Dr Amy Thunig, and Jane Caro.
14 March: Dianne Yarwood in conversation at The Listening Station
The Listening Station is an intimate monthly book club held at Art Bau Gallery in Brookvale, featuring author conversations & lively community discussion about classic & contemporary novels. The March Book Club is Dianne Yarwood, debut author of The Wakes, in conversation with Karina May.
15 March: Hugh Mackay in conversation
Social psychologist and author Hugh Mackay joins Readings to talk about his new novel, The Therapist. This is a free online event.
18 – 23 March: Inner West Council Fan Fiction Festival
FanFiction stories are created by writers featuring characters and settings from their favourite fandoms. On 18 and 23 March, Marrickville Library will host a series of events as part of the FanFic Festival – including a panel discussion with bestselling authors, a fanfiction reading night and a writing workshop.
20 March: Room to Read: The Gifts of Reading
Join Room to Read for an evening with Australian children’s authors Deborah Abela, Tristan Bancks and Sarah Davis. These guests will chat with chair Paul Macdonald about the Gifts of Reading anthology and their own experiences as readers.
29 March: Bankstown Poetry Slam featuring Tom Kaldor
Australia’s largest regular poetry slam is back! This month’s feature is Tom Kaldor, a NSW champion slam poet and hip-hop artist.
30 March: Readers – Books and Conversations with Ashley Kalagian Blunt
Celebrating books and readers, this is a new monthly series of in-depth and relaxed conversations with authors about their latest work, their body of work, their writing process and the ideas that inspire them. Hosted by Michaela Kalowski at Petersham Bowling Club.
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.