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 September!
1 September: Seminar: How to Launch your Book with Sunil Badami (Online)
You’ve spent months, even years, writing your book and it’s finally being published. Now, how will you introduce it to the world? In this engaging two-hour seminar, Sunil will share insider tips on how you can plan a successful launch, with the most sales and least stress.
1 September: Collecting the intangible: Libraries and digital archives (Sydney)
How do we preserve a world that increasingly exists online? This free talk at the State Library of NSW explores how libraries are collecting and preserving born-digital archives, including contemporary manuscripts, online material and other records that leave no physical trail. The discussion also looks at the challenges of preserving creative work for future generations.
2 September: Online: Writing Poetry with Vanessa Kirkpatrick (Online)
In this week-long online poetry workshop with Vanessa Kirkpatrick, you will explore ways of tapping into and strengthening your authentic voice. You will also reflect on poetic metaphor’s talent for communicating intense emotion and experience.
2 September: Recipe for Murder: The Leongatha Mushroom Murders (Sydney)
Join journalists Duncan McNab and Michael Duffy for a conversation about the Leongatha mushroom murders. The event explores the real-life crime and the process of turning a complex case into a compelling narrative, making it particularly relevant for anyone interested in narrative non-fiction, journalism and storytelling.
2 September: Atlas Young Writers Club at Newcastle City Library (Newcastle)
Part of the State Library of NSW’s Atlas program, Young Writers Club encourages children to experiment with words, develop their writing skills and become part of a creative community. The Newcastle sessions are delivered with a professional facilitator via Zoom alongside activities at the library.
2 September: Young writers club at Tuggerah Library (Tuggerah)
For our younger writers, join the virtual Young Writers Club in conjunction with the State Library of NSW. Be inspired by the Library’s collections, build your writing skills and become part of a creative community. Young Writers Club will ignite your imagination and help you to bring your writing to life!
7 September – 27 November: Online Feedback: Creative Non-Fiction with Anna Spargo-Ryan (Online)
Do you have a draft manuscript of non-fiction or creative non-fiction underway? Are you looking for detailed feedback to help strengthen your work? Join this online feedback course to give and receive feedback on your writing.
7 September: BorrowBox in conversation with Matt Haig (Online / Wollongong)
Join bestselling British author Matt Haig for a live online discussion and Q&A with BorrowBox. Haig discusses his writing and latest release, The Midnight Train, a companion to The Midnight Library.
8 September: Cul-de-Sac book launch (Glebe)
Book launch for Eleanor Limprecht’s latest novel Cul-de-Sac, in conversation with Samantha Selinger-Morris. Join author and creative writing teacher, Eleanor Limprecht, for the launch of her new novel at Gleebooks.
8 September: David Scott Mitchell Oration: The Library – A radical idea (Sydney)
Writer and library advocate Richard Ovenden presents the 2026 David Scott Mitchell Oration, considering the history and future of libraries, from ancient collections through to today’s challenges around censorship, preservation and access to knowledge. The lecture coincides with the State Library’s 200th anniversary.
8 September: Words on Art and Life with Charles Freyberg (Potts Point)
Part of the monthly Words on Art and Life series at Kings Cross Library, where artists, poets and musicians discuss their creative lives with poet and presenter Danny Gardner. The September conversation features Charles Freyberg and provides an opportunity to hear directly about the creative process, ideas and experiences behind an artist’s work.
9 September: The Library Book Club: The Transit of Venus (Sydney)
Join Jonty Claypole and Sophie Gee, the duo behind The Secret Life of Books podcast, for a thoughtful and spirited discussion of Shirley Hazzard’s The Transit of Venus. The State Library’s 2026 book club celebrates Australian writing through a mixture of contemporary works and classics.
9 September: History Week with Sue Whiting (Online)
Children’s and YA author Sue Whiting discusses how historical research shaped her novel Our History: Hill End Gold. She explains how historical facts, research and real places can be transformed into tension, drama and fictional storytelling.
9-13th September: Albury’s Writers’ Festival (Albury)
Write Around the Murray (WAM) will celebrate their 20th festival from Wednesday 9 to Sunday 13 September 2026. They will host 65+ author talks, workshops and other storytelling events at sites across Albury Wodonga.
11 September: Author talk: Patricia Skehan presents Whispering Death (Erina)
History writer Patricia Skehan discusses her book Whispering Death, which grew out of conversations with former World War II Beaufighter pilot Warrant Officer Lerryn Mutton OAM. Hear the stories of Mutton, his navigators and ground crew, and how Skehan approached documenting their experiences.
12 September: Writing Speculative Fiction with JS Breukelaar (Rozelle)
Is your science fiction/fantasy/ghost story just begging to be written—or finished—if only you knew how? Do you have amazing ideas but are not quite sure how to get them onto the page? Join author JS Breukelaar for a workshop that will leave you with the skills and confidence to make your speculative fiction work stand out.
14 September: Online: Character, Plot, and Dialogue with RWR McDonald (Online)
What’s said aloud, what’s thought, and what’s left unsaid? How does a character speak differently to a friend, a boss, or a parent? And what do those choices set in motion? In this 6-week course with R.W.R McDonald, you’ll explore how plot, character and dialogue work together to build momentum, deepen conflict, and keep readers turning the page.
15 September: Online: Books Without Barriers: Writing for Accessibility and Inclusion with Julie Ganner (Online)
Is your text easy to read on the page, or will it cause strain on the eyes? Is it still understandable when listened to as an audiobook? Will some readers miss out on the illustrations and cover design if they can’t see them? This interactive workshop with accredited editor Julie Ganner will consider the different ways in which readers may enjoy your work, and offer practical suggestions on how to make your writing more inclusive.
16 September: Rich Haridy – Trip Reports book launch (Glebe)
Science journalist Rich Haridy launches Trip Reports, exploring the latest developments in psychedelic medicine in Australia. The event offers a chance to hear directly from a journalist and author about his research, reporting and new book.
16 September: Atlas Young Writers Club at Newcastle City Library (Newcastle)
Another session of the Atlas Young Writers Club, a State Library of NSW initiative designed to encourage children’s curiosity, creativity and confidence with writing. Participants connect with other young writers and take part in creative activities with the library and professional facilitators.
16 September: Books that have shaped us — ABC Illawarra & UOW Book Club (Illawarra / Online)
Tune in to ABC Illawarra and the University of Wollongong’s ongoing book club, where academics from UOW’s literature and creative arts disciplines discuss books that have influenced the way they think and see the world. The September episode falls on the third Monday of the month and can be heard on ABC Illawarra, online or through the ABC Listen app.
18 September: Storytime at Corowa Library (Corowa)
Join Corowa Library for a regular storytime session featuring books, stories and activities designed to encourage a love of reading and language in young children.
19-20 September: Writing from the Sentence Up with Emily Bitto (Rozelle)
Regardless of genre, style or level of experience, all writers work with words and sentences as the basic units of prose. This intensive two-day version of Emily Bitto’s long-running online course, Writing From the Sentence Up, will re-focus your writing on the level of the sentence.
23-29th September: Online: Writing Compelling Climate Fiction with Amanda Niehaus (Online)
Temperatures are rising and catastrophic droughts, storms and bushfires are becoming more frequent and intense. It could be argued that today, all fiction is and should be climate fiction. Join trained biologist and award-winning writer Amanda Niehaus, to delve into the world of climate fiction.
24 September: Reading Retreat with author Emily Maguire (Bathurst)
Spend a literary weekend with Australian author Emily Maguire exploring the relationships readers form with authors and their characters. The retreat celebrates reading, conversation and contemporary Australian literature, with Maguire discussing her work and latest novel Rapture.
30 September: Suzie Miller Inter Alia Book Launch (Chippendale)
Join award-winning playwright and author Suzie Miller in conversation with producer Jo Dyer to celebrate the Australian release of her new novel Inter Alia. Miller discusses the novel’s exploration of motherhood, masculinity, the justice system and institutional bias, following the international success of Prima Facie.
30 September: The Skeleton Crew (Summer Hill)
The Skeleton Crew features an incredible collection of comedians and writers performing original and frighteningly hilarious short stories with an improvised musical backing, perfectly designed to scare your pants off, then laugh your arse off. Presented by James Colley and Bridie Connell.
Writing NSW publishes these free listings in good faith but does not endorse or warrant the accuracy of any information.
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