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 2025 this July!
20 June – 19 July: Coriolanus By William Shakespeare Director Peter Evans (Sydney)
For the first time in 30 years, Bell Shakespeare presents one of Shakespeare’s most exhilarating political works, in the intimate surrounds of The Neilson Nutshell, starring Hazem Shammas as the uncompromising soldier/tyrant.
1 July: Jennie Orchard: The Gifts of Reading (Glebe)
Join Jennie Orchard launching The Gifts of Reading for the Next Generation: Essays on nurturing a passion for reading, in conversation with Shankari Chandran, Nardi Simpson and Nicole Abadee.
1 July: Books in Bars with Emma Babbington in conversation with Kate Horan (Pyrmont)
Join Emma Babbington, a London-born, Sydney-based journalist, in conversation with Kate Horan about her debut novel, The Neighbours.
1 July: In conversation with Bryce Holdaway and Ben Kingsley (Sydney)
Together with co-author and co-podcast host Bryce Holdaway, Ben Kingsley has written three books. Join Sydney Dymocks for conversation and Q&A. Books will be available to purchase and signed on the night.
2 July: Your Friend and Mine: Jessica Dettmann in-conversation with Sally Hepworth (Newtown)
Join Jessica Dettmann to celebrate the release of Your Friend and Mine! Jessica will be in-conversation with Sally Hepworth.
3 July: When Sleeping Women Wake: Emma Pei Yin in-conversation with Lauren Chater (Newtown)
Join Emma Pei Yin to celebrate the release of When Sleeping Women Wake! Emma will be in-conversation with Lauren Chater.
3 July: Jeff Apter: Lee Gordon Presents… How One Man Changed Australian Life Forever (Glebe)
Join acclaimed music biographer Jeff Apter in conversation with Suzanne Hill about the story of Lee Gordon, trailblazing promoter.
3 July: Books in Bars with Michael Robotham (Surry Hills)
Join Michael Robotham for an exclusive and intimate Books in Bars event. Don’t miss the chance to meet Michael, have your book signed, and enjoy an engaging in-conversation and Q&A session as he talks about his new book and shares his secrets to writing bestselling thrillers.
3 July: Author’s Platform: In Conversation with Ian Hickie & James O’Loghlin (Ryde)
Psychiatrist Professor Ian Hickie and broadcaster and author James O’Loghlin are in conversation about their new book, A User’s Guide to the Mind.
Image source: City of Ryde
4 July: Author Talk with Adam Blum (Port Macquarie)
Join local author and podcaster Adam Blum at Port Macquarie Library for discussion about Adam’s life journey.
5 July: Preparing for Publication: Tools for the Debut Author with Amy Hutton (Lilyfield)
In this interactive course with award-winning author Amy Hutton, participants discuss publishing, both traditional and independent, including where your book (or work in progress!) sits in the marketplace and pitching. You’ll discuss marketing and publicity, and how to build your author CV to catch a publisher’s eye.
5 July: Author Talk with Erna Walraven (Port Macquarie)
Join a presentation and chat with Erna Walraven and Leanne at Port Macquarie Library.
5 July: Australian Poetry Slam Double Bay Heat (Double Bay)
Tell your story in the Australian Poetry Slam 2025 – a live literary performance competition where the audience is the judge! Join as a performer or be part of the audience, and experience the power of the spoken word.
Image source: Woollahra Municipal Council
5 – 6 July: South Coast Readers & Writers Festival (Thirroul)
The South Coast Readers & Writers Festival returns to Thirroul over the weekend of 5–6 July with a vibrant lineup of literary talent, from rising stars to international bestsellers. The full festival program is now live, featuring local voices, return guests, and internationally bestselling authors.
5 – 19 July: The Twits (Sydney)
Roald Dahl’s guesome twosome The Twits return to our stage these school holidays to delight and disgust in equal measure. Unmissable fun for all the family packed with Dahlicious mischief, hilarious mayhem and big belly laughs!
6 July: Book launch with Tilly Pamment (Glebe)
Join this Gleefeasts tasting event for the launch of Tilly Pamment’s new book, Handfuls of Sunshine.
7 July: In Conversation with Amy Lovat (Paddington)
Join us for an exciting evening at Berkelouw Paddington as we host the launch for Big Feelings by Amy Lovat. Big Feelings is a a relatable, neurotic, anti-romantic comedy for fans of Fleabag and High Fidelity.
8 July: Book launch with Lucy Nelson (Glebe)
Join Lucy Nelson launching Wait Here, in conversation with Jennifer Wong.
9 July: The Haunting of Mr & Mrs Stevenson: Belinda Lyons-Lee in-conversation with Sally Colin-James (Newtown)
Join Belinda Lyons-Lee to celebrate the release of The Haunting of Mr and Mrs Stevenson! Belinda will be in conversation with Sally Colin-James.
9 July: Book Launch with Matt Rogers (Mosman)
Join the Sydney launch for The Forsaken by Matt Rogers. Set to be one of the biggest thrillers of the year, Matt will be in conversation as he discusses this blockbuster release. Copies will be available for purchase and to be signed on the night. Light refreshments will be served.
10 July: Pissants: Brandon Jack in-conversation with Jenna Owen and Vic Zerbst (Marrickville)
Join Brandon Jack to celebrate the release of his debut novel Pissants! Brandon will be in-conversation with Jenna and Vic (of Freudian Nip).
10 July: Visiting Author: Margaret Hickey (Shellharbour)
Shellharbour City Library is excited to be hosting author Margaret Hickey, discussing her latest book An Ill Wind!
10 July: Author Talk: The Last Outlaws – Kathrine Biber (The Australian National Maritime Museum)
Katherine discusses her new book – a gripping work of historical true crime and richly revealing examination of our Nation at its birth.
10 July: James Bradley at the Constant Reader (Willoughby)
Join the Constant Reader Bookshop for an author talk with James Bradley.
Image source: Constant Reader Bookshop
10 July: Author Talk with Linda Royal (St Leonards)
Join author Linda Royal as she discusses The Star on the Grave, in this fictionalised war novel.
10 July: Poetica Petit Poetry (Double Bay)
Join Woollahra Gallery for a night of words and music once a month at the Cultural Hub/Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf. Poetica MC Miriam Hechtman will host the night with a feature poet and musician as well as an open mic section to make it a truly special evening.
10 July: Poetry & Song Open Mic and Feature Perfomances (Newtown)
Compelling performances of original writing in any form shared in a warm, supportive space by any passionate artists who are bold enough.
11 July: Adam Taor Presents: Bodypedia (Waverley)
Waverley Library welcomes you to attend a spine tingling talk about the strangeness of the human body. With an eye for detail Adam Taor takes us through the weird and wonderful of the history of anatomy.
13 July: Riverina Readers Festival (Riverina)
Held on the banks of the beautiful Murrumbidgee River, the Riverina Readers Festival is an inaugural one day reading festival that aims to bring the Riverina community together through the celebration of reading in all its forms.
14 July – 21 November: Online Feedback: Poetry with Fiona Wright (Online)
In this course, poet Fiona Wright will provide feedback on your poetry in an online classroom environment, enabling you to hone your skills over five months.
14 July – 21 November: Online Feedback: Children’s Books with Belinda Murrell (Online)
In this online writing course, author Belinda Murrell will provide feedback on your writing for children, enabling you to hone your skills over five months.
14 July – 21 November: Online Feedback: Creative Non-Fiction with Zoya Patel (Online)
In this creative non-fiction writing course, Zoya Patel will provide feedback on your essays and creative non-fiction work, enabling you to hone your skills over five months.
15 July: Speaker Series: The Wisdom of Age with Jacinta Parsons (Balmain)
Broadcaster Jacinta Parsons discusses her latest book. Sparked by the many conversations Jacinta has had with older women around the country about the experience of being a woman and aging, A Wisdom of Age captures the brewing tone of revolution within middle-aged and older women who are re-finding their confidence and wisdom.
Image source: Inner West Council Libraries
15 July: Watch Your Back Tate James Release Party (Sydney)
Celebrate the release of Tate James’ latest book at the Watch Your Back party with drinks, snacks and plenty of surprises.
17 July: An Evening with Dr Rangan Chatterjee (Sydney)
Join The State Theatre for an inspiring and transformative evening with Dr Rangan Chatterjee, one of the world’s leading doctors in lifestyle medicine and bestselling author of Feel Better in 5 and Happy Mind, Happy Life.
18 July: Author Talk with Diego Alberto Souza (Port Macquarie)
Join a chat with writer and mentor Diego Alberto Souza and Leanne at Port Macquarie Library.
20 July: Tea Topics: ‘Noble Fragments’ with Michael Visontay (Double Bay)
Join Sydney journalist Michael Visontay as he shares his journey into the eccentric world of book collectors and his family’s secrets.
Image source: Woollahra Municipal Council
22 July: Writers @ Stanton: Michael Pembroke (North Sydney)
Learn the dramatic story of trade between China and the West and how it changed the world in Michael Pembroke’s newest book.
23 July: Penguin Fantasy Fest (Sydney)
Get ready for a magical evening with authors Lynette Noni, Lauren Jackson and Lyndall Clipstone.
23 – 26 July: 1984 (Parramatta)
Strap in for an electrifying take on the George Orwell classic – from the multi award winning creative minds at Shake and Stir (Frankenstein, Jane Eyre, Animal Farm and Dracula).
24 July: Tim Knight presents Gallipoli Soup (Kirrawee)
Sutherland Shire Libraries welcomes Tim Knight to Kirrawee Library as he presents Gallipoli Soup, history written to read like a novel.
25 July: An Evening Celebrating Miles Franklin (Hurstville)
Join us for a fascinating journey into the life and legacy of Miles Franklin, one of Australia’s most influential literary voices. This special event will explore her groundbreaking work, her deep ties to the St George region, and the enduring impact of the Miles Franklin Literary Award.
27 July: The Eights: An Afternoon with Joanna Miller and Kyra Geddes (Newtown)
Join Joanna Miller for an afternoon tea to celebrate the release of The Eights! Joanna will be in-conversation with Kyra Geddes.
29 July: Movie Morning: Mary Shelly (Penrith)
Join Penrith City Library for a film screening of Mary Shelly, directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour and starring Elle Fanning and Douglas Booth.
Image source: Penrith City Council
29 July: Trailblazing Women of Literature: From the Mists of Time (Sydney)
Meet the early trailblazing women of world literature in this exciting new lecture series presented by Susannah Fullerton.
29 July: Tracey Kirkland & Gavin Fang Presents The Age of Doubt (Kirrawee)
Australian journalists Tracey Kirkland and Gavin Fang return to address big issues of doubt and trust in a world of misinformation.
30 July: Writers @ Stanton: Sam Guthrie (North Sydney)
Discover this debut novel that weaves a story of friendship, love and betrayal together with the ruthless geopolitics of China’s rise.
30 July: Michael Atherton: Exploring Music and Life (Waverley)
Don’t miss the chance to hear from esteemed Emeritus Professor Michael Atherton AM, renowned Australian musician, composer, academic and author. Come and hear inspiring stories and insights about his work, life and creative passion.
30 July: Author Talk: In Conversation with Jane Caro (Randwick)
Spend the evening with author Jane Caro as she discusses her new release, Lyrebird – a gripping thriller with a moral dilemma at its core.
31 July: Hailstones Fell Without Rain: Natalia Figueroa Barroso in-conversation with Jumana Bayeh and Daniel Nour (Newtown)
Join Natalia Figueroa Barroso to celebrate the release of Hailstones Fell Without Rain! Natalia will be in-conversation with Dr Jumana Bayeh and Daniel Nour.
Writing NSW publishes these free listings in good faith but does not endorse or warrant the accuracy of any information.
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