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 August!
1 August: Mirrorwoven Book Launch (Lawson)
Join RoseyRavelston Books for one of the most exciting events in the history of their bookshop – the launch of a debut novel by their great friend (and previous staff member) Bori Cser!
1 August: The Ultimate Pitch Soccer Tournament (Fairfield)
Come and watch six of your favourite literary organisations – Fondue, Red Room Poetry, Story Factory, Sydney Review of Books, WestWords, and Varuna – battle it out in The Ultimate Pitch – a sporting spectacle not witnessed since perhaps the one and only season of Nerds FC.
4 August: Marc Fennell in conversation with Simon Marnie (Rozelle)
On Tuesday 4th August at the Red Mill Distillery, Balmain, join Marc Fennell in conversation with Simon Marnie.
5 August: An Evening with Chloe Gong (Sydney)
Join an exclusive evening with Chloe Gong as she chats with Garth Nix about Eyes of Kings, the action-packed finale to the Flesh & False Gods trilogy. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, the novel brings readers the ultimate showdown for power between gods and mortals.
6 August: In conversation with Jason Dunn & Daniel Walsh (Sydney)
Join elite ultra-endurance athlete, speaker, author, and retired finance CEO Jason Dunn for an inspiring in-discussion launch event celebrating his powerful new book, Greatness Doesn’t Care.
6 August: The Juicy Life (Marrickville)
An evening of storytelling about love, friendship, and destroying all expectations With acclaimed writers Michael Mohammed Ahmad, Winnie Dunn and Shirley Le, this special evening will delve into finding humour in life’s messiest moments.
6 August: An evening with Emma Pei Yin – When Sleeping Women Wake (Avalon Beach)
Join a special evening with Emma Pei Yin as she discusses the inspiration behind this powerful novel, the history that shaped it, and the unbreakable bonds at its heart.
6 August: Book Launch: Robyn Llewellyn (Mosman)
Join an intimate evening with author and holistic kinesiologist Robyn Llewellyn, in conversation with Lana Taylor, co-founder of Three Birds Renovations.
6 August: Bernard Keane – Seize the Moment (Glebe)
Hear from Bernard Keane in conversation with Matt Kean.
7 August: What’s Been Broken Is All The More Sharp Launch: Dr Dominique Lee in conversation with Dr Bee Lim (Newtown)
Join us for an evening celebrating the launch of What’s Been Broken Is All The More Sharp. Author Dr Dominique Lee will be joined in conversation with Dr Bee Lim.
7 August: A Night of Crime 2026 (Goulburn)
Goulburn Milwaree Library have another excellent line up of authors coming to their fifth consecutive Night of Crime event! Hear from our award-winning panelists as they discuss what inspires them to write crime fiction, and answer why modern readers are so culturally fascinated by stories of murder, mystery, and psychological thrillers.
8 August: Welcome to Friendship! An afternoon with Yumi Stynes and Dr Melissa Kang (Glebe)
From the best-selling authors of Welcome to Consent and Welcome to Your Period comes this warm, funny, indispensable guide for tweens and teens on navigating the highs and lows of friendship – including making friends, keeping them and what to do when things get tricky!
8 August: Online: Pitching to Publishers: How to Place Your Work with Dr Erin O’Dwyer (Online)
In this three-hour workshop, Dr Erin O’Dwyer will demystify the pitching process across formats. Participants will learn how to assess where their work belongs, shape compelling proposals, and approach literary agents and publishers with confidence and market insight. There will also be time for sharing anecdotes and a Q&A.
8 August: Book Launch: Trans Lives by Raewyn Connell (Coledale)
Join Raewyn Connell for the launch of her book Trans Lives.
11 August: Dr Joanna McMillan: The Fibre Factor (Bondi Beach)
Join Dr Joanna McMillan to discuss her latest book, The Fibre Factor.
13 August: In conversation with Lloyd Edge (Sydney)
Award-winning buyer’s agent Lloyd Edge used property investing to reach financial freedom at 40 starting from a teacher’s salary. In Set for Life, he shares the step-by-step strategies to grow your wealth, secure your future, and build something that lasts.
13 August: An Evening with Mari Costa (Sydney)
Join an evening with Mari Costa as she chats about her new graphic novel, Forgive-Me-Not.
13 August: A Night of Crime! (Surry Hills)
Step into the dark and thrilling world of crime fiction for an unforgettable evening with three of Australia’s most compelling voices in the genre, Petronella McGovern, Dinuka McKenzie, and Emma Babbington.
14 – 16 August: Byron Writers Festival (Byron Bay)
Byron Bay will welcome writers from around the world and transform into a literary precinct with markets, live music, and ocean bathing. Big conversations lead the 2026 Feature Events as Richard Flanagan, returns to the festival to present his new work Heresies. Acclaimed journalist and human rights activist Antoinette Lattouf joins former publisher and festival director Louise Adlerto discuss Women Who Win.
17 August: Maggie Walters & Cynthia Banham In Conversation With Anna Featherstone (Newtown)
Join us as Anna Featherstone discusses Maggie and Cynthia’s new books about motherhood, family and identity.
20 August: I Love the Whole World! Launch (Summer Hill)
When Leslie McDonald wins a trip to Las Vegas, an absurd holiday becomes a pilgrimage; one that leads her back to joy, back to herself, and to the astonishing realisation that her life still belongs to her. Join Leslie McDonald to launch her new book, I Love the Whole World!
21 – 23 August: Mudgee Readers’ Festival (Mudgee)
The Mudgee Readers’ Festival — established in 2010— exists to share the joy of reading with our vibrant community. MRF is run by a passionate and dedicated team of volunteers, with essential support from Mid-Western Regional Council libraries.
22 August: Boundless Book Ball (Coffs Harbour)
This August, Coffs Harbour Support Services (CHSS) invites you to dress up, show up, and be part of a night built around the books, characters, and worlds that matter to you.
24 August: Richard Flanagan and Richard Fidler (Avalon Beach)
From the only author ever to have won both the Booker Prize and the Baillie Gifford Prize (Britain’s leading prize for non-fiction) comes a dazzling collection of writing, essays, articles and speeches. Hear from Richard Flanagan and Richard Filder on Heresies.
25 August: Penguin Noir – A Crime Author Showcase (Glebe)
Penguin Noir is back with an evening of suspense, intrigue and criminally good conversation featuring some of Australia’s most acclaimed crime writers alongside exciting new voices in the genre.
26 August: Dr. Lucy Hone: How Will I Ever Get Through This? (Paddington)
Join us for an evening of insight and inspiration as bestselling author Charlotte Ree sits down with resilience expert Dr Lucy Hone.
26 August: Penguin Noir – A Crime Author Showcase (Penrith)
Penguin Noir is back with an evening of suspense, intrigue and criminally good conversation featuring some of Australia’s most acclaimed crime writers alongside exciting new voices in the genre.
27 August: In conversation with Roje Augustin (Sydney)
Join Dymocks in store for this gripping in conversation with Rojé Augustin & Steven Jacobs launching The Butcher of Aberdeen explores the chilling true crime story of Katherine Knight, delving into a life shaped by childhood trauma, violent relationships, and a relentless descent into madness.
27 August: National Poetry Month Gala (Sydney)
Poetry’s night of nights! The National Poetry Month Gala returns to the State Library of New South Wales, featuring some of our finest contemporary poets, wordsmiths and spoken word artists including Evelyn Araluen, Dakota Feirer, Lisa Gorton, Hera Lindsay Bird (NZ), and Jihad Yassine.
27 August: Author Event – Sophie Green in conversation (Penrith)
Join bestselling Australian author Sophie Green in conversation, as she discusses writing, inspiration and her new book The Frock Shop.
28 August: Dr Norman Swan Literary Luncheon (Sydney)
Dr Norman Swan is a multi-award-winning producer, broadcaster, bestselling author and was one of the first medically qualified journalists in Australia. Scottish born Dr Swan graduated in medicine from the University of Aberdeen. Join Dr Swan for the launch of his new book, The Brain Cliff.
28 August: A Tale of Two Trees Launch (Newtown)
Join the authors of A Tale of Two Trees are they celebrate the launch of their picture book. Doctor and Film Maker John Collee will host the conversation.
29 August: Writers Dreaming: Working with Dreams, Symbols, and Motifs with Rosie Dub (Lilyfield)
Through discussion, readings and writing exercises, novelist Rosie Dub will explore how writers use dreams, symbols, metaphors, and motifs in both fiction and non-fiction. We’ll look at how dreams can create foreshadowing, backshadowing, add depth and develop thematic threads.
29 August: In Conversation with Joanna Jenkins (Queanbeyan)
Join a compelling In Conversation event as Joanna Jenkins is interviewed by fellow author Jack Heath.
29 August – 19 September: Narrative Structure for Fiction Writers with Timothy Daly (Lilyfield)
What makes stories work effectively? Why do some stories move you while others fail? Story and narrative structure is much more important in the overall success of a work than many writers realise. This four-week course with Timothy Daly will teach you many of the narrative structures and story patterns that lie beneath the surface of successful stories.
Writing NSW publishes these free listings in good faith but does not endorse or warrant the accuracy of any information.
More from Writing NSW
Check out our full range of writing courses in Sydney, our online writing courses and our feedback programs to see how we can help you on your creative writing journey. Find out about our prizes & opportunities, as well as writing groups across NSW, and sign up to our weekly newsletter for writing events, opportunities and giveaways.