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 November!
31 October – 2 November: Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival (Katoomba)
Inspiring awe and wonder, the Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival immerses readers and writers in an intimate festival of ideas and creativity. Headline writers include Christos Tsiolkas, Hannah Kent, Stan Grant, Kate Grenville, Maxine Beneba Clarke, and more.
1 November: Author Talk with Rachael Johns: The Lucky Sisters (Windsor)
Dubbed Australia’s queen of romance, bestselling author Rachael Johns returns with her highly anticipated new novel, The Lucky Sisters. Join us for an intimate author talk as Rachael shares the inspiration behind the book and her writing journey.
1 November: Bound to Roam – Newtown Bookcrawl (Erskineville)
A bookish adventure through cafés, bookstores, food stops, & wine tastings—meet authors, explore stories, & connect with fellow book lovers!
1 November: November Write-In (Lilyfield)
A mixture of quiet writing sprints and optional informal ‘coffee and chat’ breaks. The writing sprints start short but extend in length over the duration of the Write-in as you get into the groove.
1 – 2 November: History Unbound: 2025 HNSA Festival (Parramatta)
Celebrating historical fiction in all its forms, the two-day hybrid program will bring together authors, readers, history enthusiasts and publishing professionals to foster discussions, uncover untold stories, and explore how history shapes our narratives.
3 November: An Evening with William Dalrymple (Sydney)
Join William in an unmissable evening of conversation with Michael Williams as he discusses The Golden Road, his writing life more broadly and the much-loved Empire podcast.
3 November: An evening with Gary Disher (Castle Hill)
Join bestselling author Garry Disher as he discusses his new Hirsch novel Mischance Creek. The gripping new book in the bestselling Australian crime series.
4 November: Sofie Laguna at The Constant Reader (Crows Nest)
Join The Constant Reader to hear all about the much awaited new novel from the Miles Franklin Award-winning author, Sofie Laguna.
5 November: The Ambassador Chronicles: A Conversation With James Voorhees (Newtown)
James Voorhees discusses his groundbreaking fantasy series, The Ambassador Chronicles, which boldly places a central gay romance at the heart of an epic quest to save time and space. Don’t miss this lively conversation full of book excerpts, action, laughter and the importance of queer heroes!
5 – 11 November: Online: Crafting Short Stories with Gretchen Shirm (Online)
In this one-week course with author Gretchen Shirm, participants will discuss writing short stories and how, though small, the short story expands outwards, drawing in meaning that extends beyond its own words.
6 November: Peter FitzSimons in conversation with Richard Glover (Rozelle)
Join Peter FitzSimons in conversation with Richard Glover discussing The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop.
6 November: The Booker Prize Book Club (Sydney)
Mere days before the announcement of the 2025 winner, sit down with literary aficionados ABC Radio National’s The Bookshelf Kate Evans and writers Benjamin Law and Jacqueline Maley to dissect the shortlisted novels and predict the winner.
7 November: Time Kneels Between Mountains: Amra Pajalic in-conversation with Mirela Cufurovic (Newtown)
Join Amra Pajalic to celebrate the release of Time Kneels Between Mountains! Amra will be in-conversation with Mirela Cufurovic.
7 November: First Friday with Perentie Press (Online)
Join Bethany Loveridge and Rochelle Stephens, the co-founders of Perentie Press, to explore their bold venture into the world of visual storytelling.
7 November: UTS Writers’ Festival (Ultimo)
Join a celebration of this year’s books by UTS Creative Writing Staff, alumni, and students.
8 November: Finding Inspiration Through Objects for Memoir and Fiction with Vanessa Berry (Lilyfield)
This workshop with award-winning author Vanessa Berry will guide you in using the narrative power of objects to help you shape your story.
11 November: Mark McKenna in conversation with Anna Clark (Balmain)
Join Mark McKenna in conversation with Anna Clark discussing The Shortest History of Australia.
11 November – 13 November: Inspired Readers Festival (Port Macquarie)
Get inspired by the brilliant minds behind the books! This year’s festival features Corey Tutt, Jacqueline Harvey, Joel McKerrow, Nat Amoore, and illustrator Jade Goodwin.
12 November: Sam Perry and Ian Higgins in conversation with Peter Lalor (Rozelle)
Join Sam Perry and Ian Higgins in conversation with Peter Lalor, discussing The Grade Cricketer.
12 – 18 November: 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.
12 November: West Side Poetry Slam (Parramatta)
Each month the WestWords Centre for Writing hosts the hybrid West Side Poetry Slam! Sign up on the night and perform an original piece of writing to open minds, hearts, and arms.
13 November: Eros: Zoe Terakes in-conversation with Benjamin Law (Newtown)
Join Zoe Terakes to celebrate the release of Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers! Zoe will be in-conversation with Benjamin Law.
14 November: The Gifts of Reading for the Next Generation (Glebe)
Hear from Richard Glover in conversation with Jennie Orchard, Nardi Simpson, Shankari Chandran and John Wood.
14 – 16 November: Another World Festival (Bankstown)
Another World Festival is Utp’s inaugural experimental festival. Spanning 3 days, they will present progress showings, an exhibition, text and talks. They invite you to shape and engage with works incubated in the heart of Western Sydney, with ideas that will resonate well beyond.
15 November: Book Launch: Just Saying by Hugh Mackay (Parramatta)
Join Hugh Mackay on his newest book, Just Saying, a bestselling series of highly personal reflections on twenty-five quotations from some of the world’s greatest thinkers and writers.
15 – 16 November: True Story Festival (Coledale)
True Story is a festival of ideas and the best creative non-fiction being written in Australia today. We’ve selected trusted voices to share insights into how to navigate this sometimes bewildering world we find ourselves in. Come and be part of the conversation.
15 November – 4 January: The True History of the Life and Death of King Lear and his Three Daughters (Surry Hills)
Shakespeare’s greatest play, in an energised, classic Belvoir production, featuring the grit and power of Colin Friels.
16 November: Within and Without: Harry Henry Wallace in-conversation with Lincoln Davies (Newtown)
Join Harry Henry Wallace to celebrate the release of Within and Without! Harry will be in-conversation with Lincoln Davies.
17 November: Author Talk with Judy Nunn (Windsor)
Join Australian literary icon Judy Nunn AM for an engaging discussion on her latest novel Pilbara, set against the striking landscape of Western Australia’s north.
18 November: Author Talk with AL Booth (Bowral)
Author AL Booth will be talking about her new book, Death at Booroomba.
19 November: Brigid Delaney in conversation with Ben Law (Balmain)
Join Brigid Delaney in conversation with Ben Law discussing The Seeker and The Sage.
20 November: Triple Threat (Sydney)
Hear about writing the zeitgeist with Madeleine Gray, Bri Lee and Kate Mildenhall.
20 November: Illuminated Ink: Queer Readers and Writers Night (Parramatta)
Poets, writer, and readers of the LGBTQ Community are invited to sign up to read their work. Allies are encouraged to attend and support, and enjoy a literary night accompanied by snacks & drinks. Featuring special guest poet J. Marahuyo!
20 November: Talking Writing: Debut Authors (Lilyfield)
Join Writing NSW this November for Talking Writing: Debut Authors. Judi Morison (Secrets), Natasha Rai (An Onslaught of Light), and Kate Horan (The Inheritance) will chat about their pathways to publication, the development of their debut novels, and the reality of being an author.
22 November: Giiyong Festival (Eden)
Giiyong Festival provides a rare opportunity in south east NSW for the entire community to come together in celebration of Aboriginal arts, culture and resilience. Live music, thinkers and speakers, demonstrations, workshops, traditional cultural practices, art, craft, food, and more.
22 November – 8 March: Powerhouse Museum: Paper (Castle Hill)
Powerhouse Materials: Paper is an exploration of paper, with objects selected from the Powerhouse Collection by guest curator and renowned Australian children’s author Andy Griffiths. Attend the opening on 22 November to see Andy’s selection of objects and meet Andy in person for a talk and Q&A.
23 November: Family Day at the State Library (Sydney)
Join Sydney Writers’ Festival for a day of discovery and play as we take over the State Library of NSW for an epic Family Day where Sydney’s littlest lit lovers can run wild at workshops and author talks!
24 November: An evening with Bryan Brown (Castle Hill)
Join bestselling author Bryan Brown in conversation with Cassie Hamer about his new novel, The Hidden.
25 November: Woollahra Digital Literary Awards – Prize Night (Double Bay)
Celebrate the best in Australian digital first-writing with the shortlisted authors and judges of this year’s Woollahra Digital Literary Award at their Awards Night. Hosted by Woollahra Libraries at the beautiful Woollahra Library at Double Bay.
26 November – 9 December: Online: Finishing that Draft: A Novel Writing Course with JP Pomare (Online)
This intensive two-week online course is designed to help take you from the ideation stage to completion of a strong first draft.
27 November: National Youth Poetry Slam (Sydney)
Bankstown Poetry Slam is proud to present the fourth annual National Youth Poetry Slam, welcoming the next generation of poets from across Australia to Sydney for this special event.
27 November: The Secret Suburb: Unearthing a Hidden History (Penrith)
Join Michele Corin, lifelong resident and author of The Secret Suburb, as she shares the rich history and enduring community spirit of Lapstone.
28 November: The Big Library Book Club (Sydney)
Hosts of the Library Book Club Jonty Claypole, Sophie Gee and Roanna Gonsalves close out the year with a special book-loving bonanza.
29 November: The Hollow Girl: An Afternoon Tea with Lyn Yeowart in-conversation with Hayley Scrivenor (Newtown)
Join Lyn Yeowart for an afternoon tea to celebrate the release of The Hollow Girl! Lyn will be in-conversation with Hayley Scrivenor.
29 November: Creating Unforgettable Characters with Deborah Pike (Lilyfield)
This workshop, with author Deborah Pike, is for writers of fiction who wish to devise new characters, or deepen and develop their existing characters further.
29 November: Historical Fiction: Transforming Research into Story with Elisabeth Storrs (Lilyfield)
In this workshop with author Elisabeth Storrs, you’ll learn how to locate, categorise, and analyse resources to enable you to identify potential inspiration points and bring immediacy to your writing to avoid ‘history showing through.’
29 November: Pheobe Saintilan-Stocks – The Right Hand (Glebe)
Join Pheobe Saintilan-Stocks as she discusses The Right Hand, conversations with the chiefs of staff to the world’s most powerful people.
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.