With Sydney Writers’ Festival having just wrapped for another year, the literary world is showing no signs of slowing down. This month is jam-packed with book launches, author talks, and workshops covering a broad range of genres–meaning there’s bound to be one for everyone to get excited about.
June 1: Daniel Findlay Book Launch
In order to prepare for our Speculative Fiction Festival taking place next month, you’ll want to be reading up on the latest fantasy/sci-fi books to hit the shelves! Daniel Findlay’s Year of the Orphan takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, where survivors scavenge in the harsh Australian outback. Newtown, 6:30pm, free.
June 3: YA Bookmeet with James Bradley
Join James Bradley as he discusses the first novel in a riveting trilogy that confronts the reality of our relationship with the environment with a thrilling and thought-provoking fervour. Dymocks Sydney, 2:30pm, free. Bookings are essential.
June 3-4: Unspoken Words
Come and listen to the best of storytelling from a range of voices and communities, as well as engage in some workshops and panels to be held on the day. Writers show their craft, and direct their own discussions about it. Marrickville, 11am-5pm. Bookings are essential.
June 4: Yasmin Davar Book Launch
Join NSWWC member Yasmin Davar for the launch of her new book, Our Peaceful Planet: Healing Ourselves and Our World for a Sustainable Future. Yasmin Davar will guide everyday people, businesses and governments alike, to create a peaceful and sustainable world, starting with transformation on the individual level. Auditorium, Burwood Library and Community Centre, 2-4pm, free.
June 6: Elspeth Probyn Author Talk
Join Elspeth Probyn for a thought-provoking discussion on the implications of the life within our oceans disappearing, the food politics of fish consumption, and the entanglement of fish and human relations. Mitchell Theatre, 12:30-1:30pm, free.
June 8: A.S. King in conversation with Gabrielle Tozer
Meet multi award-winning YA author A.S. King, as she chats with Gabrielle Tozer about Young Adult fiction and her new novel, Still Life with Tornado. 6-8pm, free.
June 10: #LoveOzYA High Tea
Join Australian YA authors Gabrielle Tozer, Will Kostakis, Jaclyn Moriarty, and Danielle Binks as they discuss their new project, the #LoveOzYA Anthology over a high tea of sandwhiches and sweets. Newtown, 3pm, $15.
June 14: Networking Workshop with Virginia Gordon
Learn how to increase your visibility as an author, engage with your audience and increase the opportunity to sell more books. Gallery Room, State Library of NSW, 10-11:50am, $30/$40. Bookings are required by 10am on the Monday before meeting. For more details, contact swwlunchbooking@gmail.com
June 14: Literary Luncheon with Maggie Joel
Join multi-published author Maggie Joel in discussing: “Is there a place for historical novels in the digital age?” Gallery Room, State Library of NSW, 12-2:30pm, $45/$50. Bookings are required by 10am on the Monday before meeting. For more details, contact swwlunchbooking@gmail.com
June 15: Open Mic Performance
An evening of open mic performance – mainly poetry, though other forms (such as short story, anecdotes, comedy, acoustic music) are also welcome. Petersham Bowling Club, 6:30pm. Bar and bistro open. Free admission.
June 20: Let’s Talk About Poetry with David Ades
Join David, author of Mapping the World, Afloat in Light and Only the Questions Are Eternal as he reads a selection of poems followed with an open discussion to answer questions about his experiences as a poet to help you develop your own poetry writing. Dural Library, 10:30-11:30am, free.
June 20: Paul Irish Author Talk
Contrary to what you may think, the local Aboriginal people of Sydney did not lose their culture and die out within decades of colonisation. Paul Irish discusses the process of piecing together the Indigenous history of coastal Sydney with researchers from the La Perouse Aboriginal community, shedding light on a poorly understood period of Sydney’s history and challenging the way we think about our local history. Mitchell Theatre, 12:30-1:30pm, free.
June 23: Spoken Word Workshop with Radical Son
Join Radical Son in an introduction to song writing and spoken word open to young people both casually curious and those more familiar with the art form. This workshop promises dynamic exercises in writing compelling and self-expressive lyrics/ poems and to develop stage presence. Gumbramorra Hall, 12-3pm, $10.
June 23: My Heritage Book Talk
Join Patti Miller and Margaret Eldridge AM in conversation with author Minh Hiền about My Heritage: a memoir about her experiences growing up in Vietnam. Drummoyne, 6:30-9pm, free. Bookings are essential.
June 24: Crafting Arts Criticism With Anwen Crawford
This workshop will look at critical writing in terms of the structure of a critic’s argument, and examine how an argument is built sentence by sentence through vocabulary, voice and pacing. NSWWC Rozelle, 10am-4pm, $180/$125/$110.
June 29: Brodie Lancaster in-conversation with Amelia Lush
Join Brodie Lancaster as she celebrates the release of No Way! Okay, Fine: the story of life as a young woman through the lenses of feminism and pop culture. Newtown, 6:30pm, free.