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 this April!
25 Mar – 2 April: The Diary of Anne Frank (Sydney)
Drew Anthony Creative presents the powerful stage adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank – a young girl’s inspiring true story of resilience and hope in the face of unimaginable adversity.
1 April: Meet the Author: Dr Jo Orlando (Hornsby)
Join Dr Jo Orlando PhD, internationally recognised researcher revolutionising our relationship with technology, as she discusses Generation Connected.
1 April: Lucinda Holdforth in conversation with Stephen Feneley (Balmain)
On Wednesday 1 April at the Royal Oak, Balmain, join Lucinda Holdforth in conversation with Stephen Feneley.
1 April: Writers at the Pub: Maria P Frino with Allan Tegg and Sylvia Petter (Drummoyne)
Explore Allan and Sylvia’s stories and their writing journeys. If you’re interesting in writing, self-publishing and fiction books, then come along.
2 April: The Angry Wives Club – Book Launch (Pambula)
You’re invited to the launch of Gabbie Stroud’s latest novel, The Angry Wives Club.
2 April: Kathryn Heyman – Circle of Wonders (Glebe)
Join Kathryn Heyman in conversation with Kate Evans, discussing Circle of Wonders.
2 April: Author Event: Candice Fox and JP Pomare in conversation (Penrith)
Masters of crime fiction Candice Fox and J.P. Pomare will be in conversation at Penrith Library this April discussing their latest books.
2 April: An Evening with Lizzie Hewson – Perfect Cooking for Imperfect Cooks (Byron Bay)
Join a wonderful evening with Elizabeth Hewson, creator of the Saturday Night Pasta brand (and book) and author of the newly released cook book – Home Food: The Perfect Cookbook for Imperfect Cooks.
7 April: Members: The True Story of Errol Flynn, Author in Conversation (Darlinghurst)
Enjoy an insightful conversation with historian and author, Patricia A. O’Brien, as she dives into the subject of her new book, The Life of Errol Flynn.
8 April: Susan Lever – AD Hope (Glebe)
Join Susan Lever in conversation with Peter Kirkpatrick discussing the first biography of Alec Derwent Hope (1907–2000), one of Australia’s greatest poets.
8 – 14 April: Online: Writing Setting in Fiction with Angie Faye Martin (Online)
In this hands-on workshop, Angie Faye Martin will explore how to bring fictional worlds to life through rich, sensory detail.
9 April: Thank You, Burnout Launch: Hayley Hughes in conversation with Jessica Mudditt (Newtown)
Join author Hayley Hughes to celebrate the release of Thank You, Burnout! Hayley will be joined by publisher Jessica Mudditt.
10 April: Junior Fiction Author Talk: The Lost Defenders with Sam Summers (Brookvale)
Meet local children’s author Sam Summers talking with Kris Darell about her debut junior fiction fantasy, The Lost Defenders. Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson and The Last Kids on Earth.
10 – 19 April: Sydney Muslim Writers Festival (Bankstown)
The Sydney Muslim Writers Festival is a unique platform that celebrates the diverse voices of Muslim writers, poets, and thinkers.
11 April: Writing for Insight and Transformation with Jessica Raschke (Rozelle)
Learn writing skills and exercises designed to take you deep within yourself: journaling, poetry, letters to past and future selves, and life writing with writer, artist and counsellor, Jessica Raschke.
12 April: Goldie’s x Gleebooks with Debra Adelaide (Dulwich Hill)
Join supper with Debra Adelaide to discuss her astonishing new book, When I Am Sixty-Four. Debra will be in conversation with Michelle de Kretser.
13 April: Author Visit: Sarah Bailey (Coffs Harbour)
Enter the world of secrets, lies and chilling twists with bestselling crime author Sarah Bailey.
14 April: The Body in the Library: From Victim to Survivor (Sydney)
Over the last century, the victim in crime fiction has changed from being the disposable pretext to playing a vital role centre stage. Sue Turnbull and Felix Shannon will discuss this significant shift with award-winning journalist and author Louise Milligan.
15 April: A Literary Lunch with Jeff Apter (Wollongong)
Join author Jeff Apter for a talk and luncheon, hosted by the Friends of Wollongong City Libraries.
16 April: Burning Mountain with Darcy Tindale (Singleton)
Join Darcy Tindale as she discusses her latest book Burning Mountain, providing a candid portrait of rural Australia through the context of growing up in the Upper Hunter.
14 April: Heritage Festival 2026: Saigon Rock and Soul with Sheila Ngọc Phạm (Marrickville)
Discuss rock music and cultural flourishing in 1970s Saigon, with writer and researcher Sheila Ngọc Phạm.
15 April: Author Talk: Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist (Online & Randwick)
Spend the evening with Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist as they discuss their new novel The General Hospital.
18 April: Author Talk: The First Anzacs (Sydney)
Join authors George Hulse and Jimmy Thomson as they tell the unknown story of the combat engineers who kept World War I running.
18 April: Writing for Children: Finding the Fun with Mick Elliott (Rozelle)
Join award-winning author-illustrator Mick Elliott as he shares the practical steps that will help you develop, write, pitch, promote, and publish your children’s book.
18 April: Author Talk with Jacquelin ‘Jacqx’ Melilli (West Kempsey)
Learn about Jacqx’s writing journey and how true events inspired her Australian historical novel When The Glitter Fades.
18 April: Story Design with Laurel Cohn (Rozelle)
Through exercises and readings, this workshop with Laurel Cohn introduces strategies to help you understand the bigger picture of your works-in-progress, to consider the types of decisions that affect your story design, and to deepen your awareness of what you are wanting to say and how to say it.
20 – 26 April: Global Book Crawl (Sydney and beyond!)
Independent bookshops in different countries invite readers to walk from bookshop to bookshop, to rediscover familiar places, and to experience books as something shared.
21 April: Seminar: Self-Promotion and Public Speaking with Jenny Valentish (Online)
In this workshop, with exercises designed to spark real-world results, Jenny will cover how to promote and present yourself as an author.
22 April: Author Talk: Lauren Keegan with The Woman in the Seal Skin (Double Bay)
Join Lauren Keegan in conversation with Kelly Doust to discuss her new historical fiction novel The Woman in the Seal Skin.
22 April: Author Event: Fleur McDonald (Penrith)
Meet bestselling author Fleur McDonald at Penrith Library as she shares insights into her thrilling new novel, The Witness.
22 April: Speaker Series: Kill Your Boomers – Fiona Wright in conversation (Marrickville)
Fiona Wright and Steph Harmon discuss her darkly comic take on housing, inheritance and desperation.
23 April: Meet the Author: Katherine Scholes (Avalon Beach)
Bookoccino is pleased to host Bestselling Tasmanian author, Katherine Scholes, on 23 April, sharing her new book, One Night at Silver Lake.
23 April: Steve Toltz on A Rising of the Lights (Crows Nest)
Join The Constant Reader to hear Steve discuss his brand new book A Rising of the Lights.
24 April: Author’s Platform: Anita Heiss presents The Paradise Pact (Ryde)
Award-winning Indigenous author Anita Heiss chats about her latest heart-warming novel featuring romance, sisterhood and friendship.
27 April – 5 June: Online: Short Stories with Nick Earls (Online)
In this course, author Nick Earls focuses on key aspects of short-fiction craft, and how to approach making the kinds of choices that deliver compelling short stories.
28 April – 2 June: The Inner Life of Fiction: Going Deep with Craft with Emily Maguire (Rozelle)
Whether you’re working on a novel, short stories, or starting fresh, this is a chance to deepen your craft and push your writing to the next level.
29 April: Rebirth Launch: Antoun Issa in conversation with Jan Fran (Newtown)
Join Antoun Issa to celebrate the release of Rebirth: A Love Story from the Depths of War! Antoun will be in conversation with Jan Fran.
29 April: Rosalie Ham in conversation with Caroline Baum (Rozelle)
On Wednesday 29 April at Red Mill Distillery, Balmain, join Rosalie Ham in conversation with Caroline Baum.
29 April: Dianne Yarwood – Margaret, Are you Leaving? (Glebe)
Join Dianne Yarwood as she launches Margaret, Are you Leaving? with Ali Lowe.
30 April: Author Talk and Book Launch: Kim Ulrick, Bad People (Moruya)
Come along to Moruya Library to celebrate the south coast launch of local author Kim Ulrick’s new novel, Bad People.
30 April: Author Talk – Rosalie Ham (Bathurst)
Join Rosalie Ham as she discusses her new novel, Look After Your Feet.
30 April: Readers – Books and Conversation with Kathryn Heyman (Petersham)
Join 2026 for Readers – Books and Conversation, a monthly conversation series celebrating books and readers is thrilled to be joined by award-winning novelist, memoirist, poet and playwright, Kathryn Heyman.
Writing NSW publishes these free listings in good faith but does not endorse or warrant the accuracy of any information.
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