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 September!
2 September: 23rd Davitt Awards
Frock up and join Sisters in Crime Australia for an à la carte dinner (including antipasto platters on arrival) as they present Sisters in Crime’s annual Davitt Awards. Guest presented by award-winning journalist, true crime author, and television producer Debi Marshall, who will discuss her life in crime with Sisters in Crime’s Emily Webb before presenting the awards.
2 + 3 September: Waverly Library Book Sale
A huge range of ex-library art books, guides, reference and art catalogues will be on sale as well as general fiction and non fiction titles. Eftpos or cash accepted, books starting at $1.
3 September: Workshop & In-Conversation with Lamisse Hamouda
Enough Said Books in Port Kembla hosts a two-hour writing workshop exploring memoir and counter-memory by Lamisse Hamouda, followed by a bookish chat about her book The Shape of Dust, her debut memoir co-authored with her father about his arbitrary imprisonment in Egypt.
5 September: The Story Room
The ancient art of storytelling comes to life on the stage when six storytellers from different walks of life share a true and deeply personal story. The theme for the evening is ‘Never Stop Believing’, and will be hosted at Bucketty’s Brewing Co. Brookvale. Featuring Dr Mark Williams, Suzanne Leal, Gunter Swoboda, Bill Carson, Dr Gareth Andrews and Sally Irwin.
5 – 19 September: Writers Workshop – Practise with Simone de Beauvoir
Simone de Beauvoir was one of the most influential thinkers and writers of the twentieth century. Submerged within her existential memoirs are hidden tips of knowledge about the tradecraft of writing. This workshop will reveal and unpack this knowledge for class discussion and then application in practical writing exercises. Join WEA Sydney to learn more about, and from, Simone and in so doing, improve your own writing craft.
7 September: Sara M Saleh In Conversation
Join Better Read Than Dead bookstore in Newtown for a conversation between Sara M Saleh and Amani Haydar on Sara’s debut book Songs for the Dead and Living.
7 September: Poets by Candlelight
A night of connection to your authentic creative expression, community and the art of linguistics though writing exercises that engage your pleasures and senses, hosted by poet Bella Abraham.
7 September: Catharine Lumby in conversation with Fiona Giles
Frank Moorhouse: A Life is the definitive biography of one of Australia’s best-known men of letters, authored by Catharine Lumby. Join her at The Royal Oak as she talks about the work and the man behind it with writer and editor Fiona Giles. Hosted by Roaring Stories Bookshop Balmain.
7 September: Bread & Butter Poetry Slam
Bread & Butter Poetry Slam is Newtown’s newest, most oven-fresh poetry night. Join them for poems, feelings and laughs in a safe and inclusive space.
8 September: Dubbo Writers’ Festival
Dubbo Writers’ Festival returns with opportunities for writers or all ages, stages and styles to promote their work, develop the craft of writing, connect with publishing industry professionals and network with other writers.
8 September: Jackie Dent Author Talk
Weaving the personal with the history of medical cadaver research, Jackie Dent explores the practicalities and ethics of whole-body dissection — all the while looking for answers as to what happened to her grandparents, at Hawkesbury Central Library.
8 September: International Literacy Day Story Time
Join bilingual storyteller Jazmine Baker at Waverly Library for a very special International Literacy Day story time event for under-5s. Jazmine brings her original written work and storybook performances to life from animal noises, singing, dancing and music making, and brings the inclusivity and diversity of incorporating languages from her own multicultural and multilingual background into the world of storytelling.
8 – 29 September: Australian Poetry Slam Heats & Workshops
Events for the annual Australian Poetry Slam are underway, with heats in the Northern Beaches, Camden, and Queanbeyan, plus a workshop.
10 September: Sydney Authors Inked Free Author Talks
Sydney Authors Inked is a collective of local authors who want to give back to those who aspire to be writers. At these events, they will impart some of their knowledge of publishing, which can be both brilliant for some and somewhat different for others. Sydney Authors Inked will be hosting free author talks at The Little Big House in Summer Hill, Sydney.
11 September: Heather Mitchell Literary Luncheon
Training an unflinching spotlight on her most formative memories, esteemed Australian stage and screen actor Heather illuminates the heartbreaking secrets, sexual encounters, family dramas and creative pursuits that have shaped her life as a woman, an actor and a mother, and her memoir Everything and Nothing. Hosted by Dymocks at the Sydney Four Seasons Hotel, with tickets including a two course meal and all beverages.
11 September: Mirandi Riwoe in-conversation with Benjamin Law
Join Better Read Than Dead with Mirandi Riwoe in conversation with Benjamin Law to celebrate the release of Sunbirds, which depicts the intricate web of identities and loyalties created by war and imperialism, and the heartbreaking compromises that so often ensue. There will also be a free launch the following night at the State Library of NSW.
11 September: No Silly Questions Author Event with Sam Koslowski & Zara Seidler
Join Gertrude & Alice Café Bookstore for a dynamic discussion with authors Sam Koslowski and Zara Seidler, to discuss their new book No Silly Questions.
13 September: Bondi Literary Salon Book Club: After Story
Join the Bondi Literary Salon Book Club at Gertrude & Alice Cafe Bookstore to discuss Larissa Behrendt’s latest novel After Story, hosted by Shirley Alexander.
13 – 17 September: Write Around the Murray
Write Around the Murray is a celebration of reading, writing, illustration and storytelling, where readers, writers, artists and storytellers come together in Albury Wodonga to share knowledge, skills and a love of story.
14 September: Poetica Petit Poetry Night
Poetica Petit at the Cultural Hub – a night of words and music once a month at the Cultural Hub, Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf. Poetica MC Miriam Hechtman will host the night with a feature poet and musician as well as an open mic section.
15 – 17 September: Rose Scott Women Writers’ Festival
The Rose Scott Women Writers’ Festival is presented annually by The Women’s Club. RSWWF is a literary festival run, owned and operated by women for women writers. It showcases the rich diversity of contemporary Australian women writers across fiction and non-fiction, in print, performance and digital media which explore personal, social and political issues.
19 September: Books in Bars with Clare Fletcher
Meet rural romance author Clare Fletcher at a books in bars event. Clare is the Author of Five Bush Weddings and is releasing the highly anticipated spin-off, Love Match. Tickets include refreshments.
20 September: Queer Reads
Waverley Library is looking to create a new monthly reading group and are calling all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies who are interested in reading and discussing books with queer themes and representation.
21 September: Anna Funder in Conversation
Anna Funder will be joined in conversation by Professor Peter Marks at Balmain Library to discuss her new book Wifedom.
21 September: Melanie Saward in-conversation with Candice Fox
Join Better Read Than Dead bookshop in Newtown with Melanie Saward to celebrate the release of Burn. Melanie will be in conversation with Candice Fox.
23 September: South Asian Film, Art & Literature Festival
The South Asian Film, Arts & Literature is one of a kind event to celebrate diverse cultures of South Asian Countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Maldives. The Event comprises of artists from South Asian countries showcasing Dance, Singing, Poetry, Paintings, Photography and much more.
24 September: Strange Folds Zine Fair
Mark your calendars for the inaugural Strange Folds Fair at Coledale Community Hall from Baby Teeth Journal, programmed in collaboration with South Coast Writers Centre and Society City. Enjoy a full day of zine related goodness on the beautiful south coast.
28 September: The Org Book Launch
Join author K.J. Hennessy for the launch of The Org, a protest novel and Australian satirical dystopia. The launch will include DJs, drinks, food, live readings and a Q&A hosted by Shivani Sharma.
28 September: Murder, Mystery and Masterminds: A Crime Fiction Author Panel
Join Karen Herbert, Dave Warner, and David Whish-Wilson in conversation with Cheryl Akle for an evening discussing crime fiction with three literary masterminds at Gertrude & Alice Café Bookstore in Paddington.
28 September – 1 October: National Young Writers’ Festival
The National Young Writers’ Festival is an annual gathering of young writers. A place to show work, share ideas, and learn. Their programs are free, and made by and for young writers who create across stage, page, web and beyond.
29 September: A Western Sydney Book Club – Big Beautiful Female Theory
A Western Sydney Book Club hosts monthly conversations about books led by guest authors, for readers in and connected to Western Sydney. Freelance writer, health researcher and filmmaker Liz Duck-Chong will facilitate a conversation around big beautiful female theory by Eloise Grills.
29 September – 2 October: Conflux Speculative Fiction Conference
Conflux is Canberra’s longest-running spec fiction (sci fi, fantasy, alternative history and horror) convention. An annual convention for both new and established writers and artists, Conflux has a strong program of panels, discussions, workshops, competitions and social events.
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