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 writing events and programs in 2024 this December (and the last few days of November)!
27 November – 6 December: Write Out West: Western Sydney Libraries and Literature Festival (Penrith)
Penrith City Libraries is proud to launch the first Write Out West: Western Sydney Libraries and Literature Festival in partnership with Camden Council Library Service, Fairfield City Open Libraries and Hawkesbury Library Service. With over 30 events across nine days in four LGAs, you are invited to celebrate libraries and literature in the west with us with author events, panel discussions and workshops for all ages, presented by professional authors, writing teachers, poets and illustrators.
1 December: Stephen Leeder – Pilgrim Soul (Sydney)
Stephen Leeder’s Pilgrim Soul: Selected Poems is a reflection of his life’s work. With a nod to Yeats’ poem, “When You are Old”, and segmented into seven sections. Pilgrim Soul’s poems feature the complex thoughts that can be expected after a life concerned with patients. His poems traverse life and death, loss and war, happiness, celebration, humour and awe. A beautiful selection of poems, Pilgrim Soul is the ultimate poetic work of Australian doctor, Stephen Leeder.
1 December: The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960) (Sydney)
The Silent Film Festival, a not for profit and registered charity presents restored silent and sound film classics all-year-long. In this tragic drama examining Wilde’s unforgiving treatment at the hands of the 19th century British criminal justice system, Peter Finch delivers a towering performance as the iconic writer.
2 December: Stan Grant in Conversation with Dr Anita Heiss (Sydney)
Stan Grant is talking to his country in a new way. In his most poetic and inspiring work yet, the Wiradjuri writer offers a means of moving beyond the binaries and embracing a path to peace and forgiveness rooted in the Wiradjuri spiritual practice of Yindyamarra – deep silence and respect. This event is presented by Roaring Stories and Simon & Schuster Australia.
2 December: A Homecoming: Instructions for Banno (Sydney)
Kiran Bath in-conversation with Jazz Money and Sara M Saleh.
2 December: Launch: Let’s Tax Carbon by Ross Garnaut in-conversation with Matt Kean (Sydney)
Join a lively discussion with Ross Garnaut and Matt Kean about why tax carbon is needed and how it can benefit our environment!
3 December: How to Survive a Shark Attack with Brett Connellan (Shellharbour)
In December, local surfer and shark attack survivor and storyteller Brett Connellan will be presenting How to Survive a Shark Attack!
3 December: Meet Tea Cooper (Windsor)
Hawkesbury Central Library welcomes Author Téa Cooper on Tuesday 3 December 2024 from 10.30am to discuss her latest release – The Golden Thread. Intricate threads from the past and the present bind together a yellow silk dress, lost gold and a missing grandmother in the twisty historical mystery The Golden Thread from best-selling author Téa Cooper.
4 December: Access Ideas and Insights: Creative Partnerships and Pathways (Sydney)
In celebration of International Day of People with Disability, Accessible Arts invites you to come to the Art Gallery of NSW or join online for an upcoming Access Ideas and Insights panel exploring Creative Partnerships and Pathways. Connect with community and discover the latest programs and pathways supporting exciting creative and career development opportunities for artists with disability or who are d/Deaf.
4 December: An evening with Belinda Alexander (Castle Hill)
Join international bestselling author Belinda Alexandra as she discusses her compelling new book, The Masterpiece. Belinda is the author of 13 books including White Gardenia, Silver Wattle and Tuscan Rose. Well-known for her captivating storytelling, Belinda has been published to worldwide acclaim. Book sales and signing to be conducted by Dymocks Rouse Hill.
4 December: My Mediterranean Life with Sarah Di Lorenzo (Sydney)
Join clinical nutritionist and bestselling author Sarah Di Lorenzo as she discusses her newest cook book, My Mediterranean Life. She will be joined on stage with her dad for an exclusive Q&A.
4 December: This Creative Life: Fashion Designers at Home with Robyn Lea (Avalon Beach)
Celebrate this lush, illustrated book for lovers of fashion and interior design by bestselling photographer and author Robyn Lea. Set foot in the private spaces of twenty of the world’s top fashion designers.
4 December: Orange City Library: Leesa Ronald Launches Special Delivery (Orange)
Discover this entrancing, laugh-out-loud enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy by a local author!
4 December: Author Talk: Zero Risk – Tony Longhran (Sydney)
Join author and former Navy sailor Tony Loughran talking about his new book Zero Risk – Keeping others safe in a dangerous world.
4 – 10 December: Online: Building a Freelance Writing Career (Online)
Join this online course with author, freelance writer and editor Zoya Patel, to develop your writing and pitching skills. If you’re interested in building a career as a freelance writer or journalist, this course will cover essential skills and valuable techniques.
4 – 10 December: Online: Writing From the Sentence Up (Online)
This online writing course with Emily Bitto will re-focus your writing on the level of the sentence, providing practical ways to improve your prose in both drafting and editing stages. You will learn, among other things, to write more freely and imaginatively, to strengthen your verbs, avoid cliché, master imagery and metaphor, and edit your work, and the work of others, more effectively.
5 December: Author Talks in the Garden: Jan Merriman (Shellharbour)
Meet local author Jan Merriman at Warilla Library for the first ever Author Talks in the Garden!
5 December: Karima Hazim and Sivine Tabbouch in-conversation with Sarah Ayoub (Sydney)
Join Karima Hazim and Sivine Tabbouch to celebrate the release of Sofra as part of the VIP shopping night! Karima and Sivine will be in-conversation with Sarah Ayoub.
5 December: Writers & Readers: The Lucky Ones with Melinda Ham (Sydney)
Join an engaging discussion with award-winning journalist and former foreign correspondent Melinda Ham.
6 December: A literary high tea with Alexander McCall Smith (Terrigal)
At the Crowne Plaza, Terrigal, enjoy a lively conversation with the internationally acclaimed and much-loved author, Alexander McCall Smith. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend time with this creator of heartwarming stories and literary legend. Included in the ticket price is a luxurious Crowne Plaza high tea. Enjoy a selection of sweet and savoury bites accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine and your choice of tea from the Dilmah selection, barista-made coffee or hot chocolate.
6 December: Starting your Family History Research (Online)
Family history can reveal surprising and sometimes moving lost stories that enhance an individual’s understanding of who they are. In this session you will be introduced to the State Library’s diverse family history collections, which you can access both online and onsite. This Family History Month webinar is suitable for beginners to family history.
6 December: Al Clark in-conversation with Richard Kuipers (Sydney)
Al Clark, film producer, rock publicist, raconteur, cultural zeitgeist medium- a creative force with a new dual set of memoirs, Time Flies and Time Flies Too. Al will be in spirited conversation with Variety film critic and local scribe at large Richard Kuipers.
7 December: Your Summer Stories: Panel Discussion – Writing a Bestselling Mystery Thriller (Newcastle)
Come along to our Your Summer Stories panel discussion event with authors, Hayley Scrivenor, Darcy Tindale and Mitch Jennings. Join these amazing Australian authors as they discuss their books, their inspiration and how they wrote a bestselling mystery novel.
9 December: Eleanor Janega in-conversation with Lexie Eatock (Sydney)
Join author and historian Eleanor Janega to celebrate the release of The Once and Future Sex. Eleanor will be in-conversation with Lexie Eatock.
10 December: Fowl Author Book Lunch & Author Talk with Jude Chapman (Bowral)
Jude Chapman’s debut crime novel, The Body at Bones, starts with a gruesome discovery at a well-known Sydney Inner West dog park. Copies of Jude’s book will be available for sale and signing.
10 December: Chris Baker – Swimming Sydney (Sydney)
Swimming Sydney is a tale of 52 swims in and around Sydney that take place over a calendar year. From Palm Beach to Cronulla, Mount Druitt to Bondi, Chris Baker swims at iconic beaches, municipal pools, harbour baths, tidal rock pools, bushland lakes and a backyard pool. Join Chris Baker in conversation with Michaela Kalowski at Gleebooks.
11 December: Reading Between the Lines: ‘The Bloody Chamber’ by Angela Carter (Sydney)
This monthly event is a chance to hear an expert speak about a book they have chosen and offer and greater depth and understanding of the book. Copies of the book can be read ahead of the session but it’s not essential. Writers and lovers of literature will especially enjoy the unpacking of this work. You can take part in the discussion or simply sit back and learn. The guest presenter is Beau Smith-Davies.
11 – 16 December: Australian Literature Festival at Sea (Sydney)
Take your love of the written word to the water on the inaugural Australian Literature Festival at Sea, in partnership with Dymocks. With a line-up of acclaimed authors, including Alexander McCall Smith, Fiona McIntosh, Anita Heiss, Graeme Simsion, Anne Buist, Paul Cleave, Sue Williams, and Elizabeth Stanley, plus investigative journalist Nick McKenzie, this sailing is the perfect way to indulge your love of literature, surrounded by the spectacular vistas of Australia’s coastline.
12 December: Orange City Library: Lyn Brown – True Confessions from the Hardback Cafe (Orange)
Weird, wonderful and unusual stories – including Orange – from a former bookshop owner. Join a chat with author Lyn Brown who is launching her first book True Confessions from the Hardback Café. Books will be for sale and signing on the night.
12 December: Author Talks in the Garden: Lyn Behan (Shellharbour)
Meet local author Lyn Behan at Warilla Library for another session of Author Talks in the Garden! Lyn Behan loves to write and share her wonderful stories. Her latest release, The Unpredictable Past, is a historical fiction with fantastic characters, an intriguing plot and is sure to captivate you from start to finish!
12 December: Vanessa McCausland in-conversation with Pip Drysdale (Sydney)
Join Vanessa McCausland to celebrate the release of The Last Illusion of Paige White! Vanessa will be joined by Pip Drysdale.
12 December: The Deep – From Sea to Sky (Sydney)
Join three of Australia’s most acclaimed authors, Inga Simpson, David Dyer and James Bradley, as they explore the depths of the sea and sky, and reveal what they’ve discovered venturing far into the stars and under the waves, and what the deep can tell us about where we’re headed.
14 December: Sydney Speculative Scribes Open Mic (Parramatta)
WestWords has partnered with Sydney Speculative Scribes to take your word from the page to the stage. Come read a short story or an excerpt from your longer work and listen to other speculative fiction writers in an intimate and supportive environment of writers in the same genre. Special guests to be announced.
15 December: Meet The Author – Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki (Sydney)
Dr. Karl will be discussing his long-awaited memoir A Periodic Tale. Dr Karl Kruszelnicki’s story teaches us that you don’t have to know all the answers, as long as you ask questions and pursue your curiosities. He has wandered down more than a dozen career paths, from being a TV weatherman, to a professional four-wheel drive tester in the outback, to being a roadie for Bo Diddley. All these seemingly random experiences have helped create the Karl we know today – who has been sharing his love for science with the world for over 30 years in print, TV, radio and online.
15 December: Marc Rosenberg – Kyd’s Games (Sydney)
Neil Kyd, accused of assassinating a Russian presidential candidate, hunted by Russian Special Forces, has only one thing on his mind, saving his daughter’s life. A cross between John le Carre’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley. Kyd’s Game will keep you on the edge of your seat.
16 December: Discover PIX: The magazine that changed everything (Sydney)
With its eye-catching lipstick-red logo, PIX delivered a new style of journalism, using photographs to tell daring stories of modern life. Always intended to shock, entertain and inform, PIX stayed popular with its readers for over 30 years. Exploring the story of the people and pictures that made the magazine for the first time, join a guided tour of PIX: The magazine that changed everything with curator Margot Riley.
21 December: Christmas Stories with R.A. Spratt (Sydney)
In this whirlwind of storytelling, R.A. Spratt (bestselling author of Friday Barnes and Nanny Piggins), will be performing her favourite Christmas tales. This will be high energy, action-packed, side-splittingly, hilarious storytelling at its festive best, and featuring Christmas carols written by Nanny Piggins herself. This is the perfect family show for anyone who enjoys a good holiday season giggle. R.A. will be available to sign books after the show.
24 December: In store book signing with Peter FitzSimons (Sydney)
Peter FitzSimons AM is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer, and for the past 35 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun Herald. The Legend of Albert Jacka is an unforgettable story of the bravery and sacrifice of one extraordinary soldier that takes us from the shores of Gallipoli to the battlefields of France, all brought to vivid life by Australia’s greatest storyteller, Peter FitzSimons. Meet Peter and get your copy signed!
Writing NSW publishes these free listings in good faith but does not endorse or warrant the accuracy of any information.
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