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 May!
1 May: Author Talk: Dervla McTiernan with The Unquiet Grave (Bondi Junction)
Waverley Library with Gertude and Alice Bookshop is proud to host one of Australia’s bestselling crime authors, Dervla McTiernan, with her latest book The Unquiet Grave.
1 May: Book Launch with Michelle Prak (Mosman)
Join us Harry Hartog Mosman to celebrate the release of Barren Cape by Michelle Prak. Michelle will be in conversation with crime author Petronella McGovern as she discusses her book, and there will be an opportunity to get a copy signed. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free, but RSVPs are essential.
1 May: An Evening of Enchantment with Kate Forsyth (Newtown)
Join Dr. Kate Forsyth of the release of her enchanting fairytale oracle cards and learn about where these tales came from, what they mean, and how you can turn to them for guidance.
1 May: Books in Bars with Jemma Sbeg (Surry Hills)
Join Jemma Sbeg for Books in Bars and hear her talk about Person in Progress: A Road Map to the Psychology of Your 20s.
1 May: Kumi Taguchi – The Good Daughter (Glebe)
Join Kumi Taguchi in conversation with Leigh Sales AM to hear about The Good Daughter.
2 May: Book Launch with Sarah Clutton (Mosman)
Join Harry Hartog Mosman as they celebrate the launch of The Remarkable Truths of Alfie Bains by Sarah Clutton. Sarah will be in conversation with Joanna Nell as they discuss the book. There will be a Q+A, audience questions and an opportunity to buy the book and get it signed.
2 May: Two Bugs on Bikes: Jacqui Webster in conversation with Garry Maddox (Newtown)
Join Jacqui Webster to celebrate the release of Two Bugs on Bikes! Jacqui will be in-conversation with Garry Maddox.
2 May: First Friday with Anna Featherstone (Online)
First Friday, Writing NSW’s monthly conversation with an industry professional, is a chance for their community to learn more about the writing and publishing industry. This May, they invite you to their online event with Anna Featherstone about the advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing.
3 May: Central Coast Monthly Write-In (Kincumber)
The Central Coast Write-in is a monthly event for local writers who want to make more time to work on their craft. It is for dabblers, scribblers, regulars, amateurs, pantsers and planners. It is dedicated, quiet-ish time to write, with opportunities to meet others interested in writing.
4 May: High Tea with Jacqueline Harvey (Sydney)
Come to the Swissôtel Sydney for a special high tea event with renowned author Jacqueline Harvey to celebrate the release of The Girl and the Ghost. Indulge in delicious French pastries and teas while listening to Jacqueline share insights about this brand new book, including a taste of what’s to come next in the series! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to meet Jacqueline, get your books signed, and enjoy a taste of France right here in Sydney!
6 May: Books in Bars – Shelley Burr in conversation with Michael Robotham (Pyrmont)
Join Shelley Burr for an Exclusive Books in Bars Event, in conversation with Michael Robotham!
6 May: StorySALOON: Short Stories Centre Stage (Newtown)
StorySALOON Live is your mid-week creative fix— three short stories by award-winning and emerging writers, narrated by Australia’s most talented actors. See three wickedly good stories. Aitu, GPS and Baggage Claim, performed by Chris Alosio, Jules Billington and Monica Sayers.
7 May: Pádraig Ó Tuama returns to Poetica! (Surry Hills)
Poetica is thrilled to host Pádraig Ó Tuama once again in Sydney. Join them for a night of poetry readings and music and all that feels good in the world.
7 May: Shelley Burr: Author Event (Leura)
Megalong Books is delighted to invite you to an evening with bestselling author Shelley Burr, in conversation with Adrian d’Hagé, speaking about her new crime novel, Vanish.
7 May: An Evening with Toby Schmitz: The Empress Murders (Sydney)
Join playwright and actor, Toby Schmitz as he discusses his debut novel, The Empress Murders, with good friend Tim Minchin. Toby will answer questions from the audience followed by a book signing.
7 May: Online: Writing for the Education Market with Louise Park (Online)
This online course with author and educator Louise Park provides you with the knowledge and tools you need to write for the education market. You’ll learn about education briefs and guidelines, how to accommodate editorial considerations, and the basics of education publishing contracts. You’ll find out what makes a winning manuscript, and you’ll learn skills easily transferable to trade publishing.
7 May: Emma Shortis – After America (Glebe)
Join Emma Shortis as she launches After America with Richard Cooke.
8 May: Author Talk: Amanda Hampson (Penrith)
Join award-winning author Amanda Hampson to talk about her latest ‘Tea Ladies’ mystery, The Deadly Dispute.
8 May: Lucy Sussex & Megan Brown – Outrageous Fortunes (Glebe)
Join Lucy Sessex and Megan Brown as they talk about their new book, Outrageous Fortunes.
8 May: When She Was Gone: Sara Foster in conversation with Anna Downes (Newtown)
Join Sara Foster to celebrate the release of When She Was Gone! Sara will be in-conversation with Anna Downes.
8 May: In Conversation with Susannah Hardy (Mosman)
Join Harry Hartog to welcome Susannah Hardy and celebrate the release of her latest novel – My Hot Housemate!
8 May: Poetica Petit Poetry Night: Special Event – Madre (Double Bay)
Leading up to Mother’s Day celebrations, Poetica MC Miriam Hechtman will host this night of poetry and music, exploring the idea of motherhood. Composer Anna Hirst Friedman has transformed the words of Poet Jessica Chapnik Kahn, resulting in the musical piece MADRE, performed by six vocalists. It will be a night of performance and poetry, as well as the popular open mic section.
9 May: The Unlocking: Porscia Lam in conversation with Suzanne Robinson (Newtown)
Join Porscia Lam to celebrate the release of The Unlocking! Porscia will be in-conversation with Suzanne Robinson.
9 May: Open House with HarperCollins (Lilyfield)
Meet the team from HarperCollins as they take you through how a book gets published from the submissions process through to acquisition, editorial, and contracts. In the afternoon there will be an opportunity to meet one-on-one with a publisher to get feedback on your submission.
10 May: Book Signing with Tony Frost (Balgowlah)
Meet Tony Frost, local author! His new book The Professional is essential reading for anyone entering the professional world and looking to gain a competitive edge early in their career.
10 May: Jacqueline Kent – Inconvenient Women (Glebe)
Hear from Jacqueline Kent about her new book, Inconvenient Women.
In this one-day workshop with Melina Marchetta, participants will work on pieces of writing with an emphasis on dialogue, descriptive language, revealing plot through detail and playing with tense and the narrative voice. We will also explore the importance of editing and the ‘first draft.’
11 May: Westwords Poetry (Glebe)
Hear from Paris Rosemont about Barefoot Poetess and J Marahuyo about Crying Gorgeously.
13 May: Jacqueline Maley: Lonely Mouth (Glebe)
Join Jacqueline Maley for supper at 6.30pm on Tuesday 13 May to discuss her new novel, Lonely Mouth.
14 May: Author Talk with Janet Lee (Helensburgh)
Join Helensburgh Library for a special event with local historian Janet Lee to discuss her book Teaching the 3Rs: Pioneer Schoolteachers of the Helensburgh District.
14 May: Mettle Launch: Anne-Marie Te Whiu in conversation with Jazz Money (Newtown)
Join Anne-Marie Te Whiu to celebrate the release of Mettle! Anne-Marie will be in-conversation with Jazz Money, with readings from Jumaana Abdu and Luke Patterson.
14 May: Hilde Hinton – The Opposite of Lonely (Glebe)
Hear from Hilde Hinton as they launch The Opposite of Lonely in conversation with Michaela Kalowski.
16 May: Frog: Sally Gould in conversation with Ben Joseph (Newtown)
Join Sally Gould to celebrate the release of Frog: The Secret Diary of a Paramedic! Sally will be in-conversation with Ben Joseph.
16 May: Raine MacIntyre – Vaccine Nation (Glebe)
Hear from Raine MacIntyre as they talk about Vaccine Nation in conversation with Dr Norman Swan.
16 May: An Evening of Music and Poetry in Double Bay (Double Bay)
Join Woollahra Libraries for a special evening of poetry and musical performance, featuring poet Ali Whitelock and musician Miriam Lieberman.
We are living in the age of reality hunger. The reading public has an insatiable appetite for well-crafted true stories. This workshop with author and educator Dr Sian Prior will introduce you to some of the essential skills required to write publishable works of creative non-fiction.
18 May – 11 June: Sydney Writers’ Festival (Eveleigh, Parramatta, Sydney)
Be part of something magic this May, with a line-up of extraordinary writers and thinkers sharing vital stories, ideas and conversations at Sydney Writers’ Festival. Hear from over 300 writers and thinkers. Come along to over 200 events.
18 May: Boom Town Snap: Jay Martin in conversation with Ashley Kalagian Blunt (Newtown)
Join Jay Martin to celebrate the release of Boom Town Snap! Jay will be in-conversation with Ashley Kalagian Blunt.
21 – 25 May: Bathurst Writers’ & Readers’ Festival (Bathurst)
The much-loved Festival will feature five days of author talks, live-streamed sessions from the Sydney Writers’ Festival (SWF), and exciting local events at Bathurst Library and the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre (BMEC). Live streamed big-name authors include Helen Garner, Markus Zusak, The Moriarty Sisters, Anna Funder, and international favourites like Colm Tóibín, Ian Rankin and A.C. Grayling.
21 May: Online: The Rules of Writing Romance with Melanie Saward (Online)
In this writing course, with author Melanie Saward, we will discuss the rules of writing romance: the structure, tropes, and different subgenres. We’ll explore how to use tropes and structure to plan an on-trend Australian romance novel. Through looking at the traditions of romance, we’ll discover ways that writers can play with traditions to create romance for broad and diverse audiences.
22 May: Bianca Hunt – Main Character Energy (Glebe)
Hear from Bianca Hunt about her book, Main Character Energy.
22 May: Dominic Amerena in conversation with Andrew Pippos (Balmain)
On Thursday 22nd May at The Royal Oak, Balmain, join Dominic Amerena in conversation with Andrew Pippos.
All narrative writing (fiction and non-fiction) needs to combine the elements of both summary and scene, but sometimes it can be hard to get the balance just right. This course with Eleanor Limprecht looks at the differences between the two, the qualities of each, and when to employ them in your writing.
28 May – 1 June: Words on the Waves Writers’ Festival (Umina Beach)
Words on the Waves Writers Festival is a celebration of words and ideas set on the scenic Central Coast, NSW, Australia. With author talks and panels, as well as evening conversation events, writing workshops, local book launches, a literary cruise, family fun day, schools program and more, the festival offers a diverse range of high quality literary events for both the Central Coast community and visitors to the area.
29 May: Shankari Chandran in Conversation with Dinuka McKenzie (Sydney)
Join Miles Franklin Award-winner Shankari Chandran in conversation with fellow crime writer Dinuka McKenzie as they dive into Unfinished Business, a gripping thriller packed with espionage, justice, and deadly secrets. Set in post-war Sri Lanka, this novel takes readers deep into a world where truth is dangerous and the past refuses to stay buried.
29 May: The Introvert’s Guide to Leaving the House: Jenny Valentish in conversation with Benjamin Law (Newtown)
Join Jenny Valentish to celebrate the release of The Introvert’s Guide to Leaving the House! Jenny will be in-conversation with Benjamin Law.
31 May – 1 June: Ballgowns and Books (Sydney Olympic Park)
Ballgowns and Books is a fantasy romance book convention showcasing more than 150+ international authors hosted by WSJ & USAT bestselling author, Jaymin Eve, and USAT and international bestselling author, Tate James. Attendees can expect to be transported to a magical wonderland designed to bring your favourite books to life with dragons, unicorns, a fae forest and even glittering crowns.
Writing NSW publishes these free listings in good faith but does not endorse or warrant the accuracy of any information.
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