Welcome to Writing on Our Calendar! We will feature a monthly calendar that serves up our tasting plate of literary events and happenings around town. NSW Writers’ Centre staff share things to do and see that they’ve got highlighted in their diaries. Find out what’s happening and keep your finger on NSW’s social literary pulse. We will present a listing of new and established events so you can get involved in the literary community and be inspired.
3 August – Story Club
Story Club a monthly event in which Sydney writers, comedians and creatives read a story around a theme. This August the theme is Odyssey and will feature Kristina Keneally (Former Premier), Kate Mulvany (Playwright, Actress) and Kirsten Drysdale (The Checkout, Hungry Beast).Doors open at 7pm for 8pm show. Tickets available through their website.
3 August – Announcement of the winner of the National Biography Award.
Australia’s richest prize for biographical writing and memoir. Very excited that Gabrielle Carey’s book Moving Among Strangers about Randolph Stow is on the shortlist, given that our Honouring event later in the month (29 of August) is focusing on Stow and she is one of the speakers, more information on the Honouring event here. Monday 3 August, 11.00 am to 12.30 pm at the Gallery Room, Ground Floor, Mitchell Wing. Free, bookings essential, book here.
6 August – Late Night Library; Teen Diary Readings
Writers and performers read excerpts from their own personal archives. Part of Late Night Library a great series of hilarious tongue in cheek events and also they serve free refreshments, hello cheese plate! Surry Hills Library Thursday 6th of August at 9pm, free entry. More information here.
6-8 August – Yellamundie 2015 National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Playwriting Festival
Yellamundie (Darug word for storyteller) is an artistic and cultural meeting place. Aboriginal playwrights, actors, directors and dramaturges will gather from across Aboriginal Australia to give voice to six new plays. Held at Carriageworks, 6-8 August, book tickets here.
8-9 August – Byron Bay Writers Festival
A stellar program including Kate Grenville and Julia Gillard. Our Pick is Liner Notes – Fleetwood Mac Rumours. The literary cabaret Liner Notes will present a spoken word tribute to a classic album, song-by-song a stellar line-up of writers, poets, and musicians explore their personal connection to a musical legend. Full program here.
11 August – Sappho’s Poetry Night AVANT GAGA #19
On the second Tuesday of August it’s poetry night at Sappho, featuring Kate Fagan, Louis Armand and Zoe Dzunko, plus an open section. Sappho Books & Cafe, 51 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, 7.00–9.30 pm, Free entry.
15-16 August – Mudgee Readers’ Festival
Great to see our tutor, David Henley, and one of this year’s Varuna fellowship judges, Luke Carman, on this exciting program. Also young adult legend and writer for the TV show Offspring Debra Oswald! 5-6 August, Mudgee, For more details see their website.
19 August – Science Speed Meet
This is a speed meet event at Customs House Library as part of the Sydney Science Festival with scientists and sci fi, crime and non-fiction science writers. Customs House Library, 6.30–8.00 pm, free entry book on their website.