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 2024 this April!
3 April: Poetry Workshop with Natalie Damjanovich-Napoleon (Western Sydney)
Since the time of the Dada artists and Beats, poets have been using found word objects to create poems and make cut up collage poems, or centos. Natalie Damjanovich-Napoleon will display her skills as a published found poetry artist to show writers unexpected ways of experiencing and creating poetry using found objects, or in our case, found words in the creation of new work.
3 April: Louise Milligan in conversation with Benjamin Law (Sydney)
Join Louise Milligan in conversation with Benjamin Law. about her brilliant debut Pheasants Nest. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the venue (White Bay Beer Co) through the bookstore Roaring Stories, with Milligan signing copies after the discussion.
3 April: Bri Lee in Conversation (Sydney)
Join author, academic, and activist Bri Lee as she introduces her highly anticipated debut novel The Work, in conversation with Sophie Tedmanson, presented by Waverly Council. A dazzling, funny, and unforgettable tale, The Work explores the biggest intersections of life: of art and commerce, of intimacy and distance, of talent and entitlement, and of labour and privilege.
3 April: Literary Trivia hosted by Nick Milligan (Newcastle)
Do you know the name of the suburb where Boy Swallows Universe is set? Can you name all three Sally Rooney novels? Who is Ivan ‘Loonie’ Loon? Great literary prizes on offer including bundles of new books and festival tickets. Teams are limited to eight participants, and solo competitors can be accommodated.
4 April: Kate Forsyth Book Launch (Sydney)
Sydney Book Society will be hosting a book launch event with New Dawn Publishers to celebrate the release of Kate Forsyth’s Long-Lost Fairy Tales. Join Sydney Book Society for an evening of exciting conversation, followed by a book signing and chance to chat with Kate and Lorena.
4 April: William Shakespeare: His Life and Works (Sydney)
Shakespeare wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets and a few other verses, and with those he enriched our language, shaped our thoughts and ways of seeing, and entertained us. Join Susannah Fullerton, the President of the Jane Austen Society of Australia, in a celebration of Shakespeare in the month of his birthday.
4-7 April: Tenterfield Oracles of the Bush (New England)
Tenterfield’s Oracles of the Bush is a four-day cultural event encompassing live performance of Australian Bush poetry, music and art. The 27th Oracles of the Bush will be the ‘Final Curtain’ – everything in life has a time frame and nothing last forever.
5-7 April: Newcastle Writers Festival (Newcastle)
This year’s Newcastle Writers Festival program is their largest since the Covid disruption and features 150 writers across 95 free and ticketed events in Newcastle’s Civic precinct, Cessnock and, for the first time, Port Stephens. The bumper festival program has been overseen by founding director Rosemarie Milsom and Amy Lovat, and features workshops, book launches, readings, panel discussions, one-on-one interviews, a dinner, literary trivia event, and a special program at the University of Newcastle’s Wollotuka Institute.
7 April: Spoken Word Poetry Workshops (Sydney)
Discover the power of words and unleash your inner creative writing voice, in a series of empowering and inclusive creative writing and presentation workshops run by Bankstown Poetry Slam at Sydney Opera House.
8 April: Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist Dymocks Luncheon (Sydney)
Dr Graeme Simsion’s debut novel The Rosie Project sold over five million copies in forty languages, spending 65 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Now Graeme and his wife Anne Buist, Chair of Women’s Mental Health at the University of Melbourne, have written The Glass House, the first novel in an unputdownable medical drama series.
9 April: Rosie Batty: Hope (Sydney)
Family violence campaigner and bestselling author Rosie Batty discusses her new book on finding hope again after tragedy, with Sue Smethurst. An intimate discussion about what it takes to get through the very worst of times with Rosie Batty — a woman who has experienced tragedy, who had lost all hope, yet now is intent on finding it again.
9 April: Bondi Literary Salon April Book Club: Trust by Hernan Diaz (Sydney)
Join the Bondi Literary Salon for their April book club, hosted by Dave Francis, where they will be discussing Hernan Diaz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Trust. A literary puzzle about money, power, and intimacy, Trust is a novel that challenges the myths shrouding wealth, and the fictions that often pass for history.
10 April: Tobias Madden in-conversation with Helena Fox (Sydney)
Join Better Read Than Dead bookstore in Newtown to celebrate the release of Wrong Answers Only! by Tobias Madden, who will be joined by award-winning YA author Helena Fox.
10 April: Literary Dinner with Rosie Batty (Sydney)
Enjoy dinner at Pilu at Freshwater as Scott Whitmont is in conversation with Rosie Batty regarding her latest book Hope. Following on from her runaway best-seller A Mother’s Story, which detailed the lead up to her son’s murder, Hope shares what happened to Rosie the day after the worst day of her life and how she reclaimed hope when all hope was lost. Enjoy a two-course dinner and Prosecco or Bellini on arrival.
10 April: Meet the Author with T Kingfisher (Western Sydney)
Join Harry Hartog Penrith for what is to be an incredible night, as they host the legendary T. Kingfisher, author of Nettle and Bone, A House With Good Bones, and the Saint of Steel and Sworn Soldier series (plus much more!). T. Kingfisher will talk about their process, the worlds they’ve created and possibly even what’s coming to their shelves later this year, with an audience Q&A and book signings to follow.
10 April: Amanda Hampson Author Talk (Northern Beaches)
Join Avalon Recreation Centre to hear about Amanda Hampson’s latest book The Cryptic Clue, the second book in the Tea Ladies Mystery cosy crime series. In ZigZag Lane, in the heart of Sydney’s rag-trade district, tea ladies Hazel, Betty and Irene find themselves in hot water. Having already solved a murder, kidnapping and arson case, and outwitting an arch criminal, they have proved themselves a useful resource and earned the respect of a local police officer. Now he needs their help to solve a plot that threatens security.
10 April: Pageturners Evening Book Discussion on Yellowface (Orange)
Bestselling sensation Juniper Song is not who she says she is; she didn’t write the book she claims she wrote, and she is most certainly not Asian American—in this chilling and hilariously cutting novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author R. F. Kuang in the vein of White Ivy and The Other Black Girl. The group will have lots to talk about on Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang.
11 April: Winnie Dunn in-conversation with Amani Haydar (Sydney)
Join Better Read Than Dead bookshop with Winnie Dunn to celebrate the release of Dirt Poor Islanders!, a powerful, insightful and provocative debut novel that explores the challenge of finding a way to be true to yourself and your roots without ignoring where you have come from or denying where you want to go. Winnie will be joined by Amani Haydar.
11 April: Book Launch with Pip Fioretti (North Sydney)
Join Berkelouw Balgowlah to celebrate the launch of Sydney author Pip Fioretti’s new rural crime fiction book Bone Lands. She will be in-conversation with Elisabeth Storrs, author and chair of the Historical Novel Society of Australia. Meet the author, get your book signed, and enjoy some light refreshments. It’s a great opportunity to connect with fellow book lovers and immerse yourself in the world of literature.
11 April: Tania Blanchard Author Talk (Goulburn)
Join Tania Blanchard as she tells the story behind her new bestseller A Woman of Courage. Inspired by a true story, the novel rings with the strength and struggles of women at time of momentous change, and the choices one woman must make to help forge a new future. $5 tickets include book sales and signings, wine, and nibbles. $5 per person, bookings are essential.
11 April: Poetica Petit Poetry Night (Sydney)
Join Woollahra Gallery for a night of words and music once a month at the Cultural Hub. 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.
12 April: Donna Cameron Author Talk (Newcastle)
Novelist Donna M Cameron is an AWGIE nominated radio dramatist, award-winning playwright and short film writer. Join local journo Alex Morris at Betty Loves Books as they talk to Donna about her newest work, The Rewilding. They will discuss the importance of climate fiction, strong female leads and what it means to be a woman in a dystopia not far from our reality.
12 April: Books and Conversation with Candice Fox (Sydney)
Celebrating books and readers, Michaela Kalowski hosts a monthly series of in-depth and relaxed conversations with authors about their latest work, their body of work, their writing process and the ideas that inspire them. In April, Michaela will be in conversation with internationally bestselling crime novelist Candice Fox, whose new solo novel Devil’s Kitchen is out now.
13 April: CBCA Picture Book of the Year (Blue Mountains)
Sheryl Cootes, Children’s Book Council of Australia judge for past three years, will share her experience as a judge and display and discuss those picture books that were honoured as either Notables or Short listed in 2024 (Winner & Honour books will be announced in August). Enjoy some story telling with some of Sheryl’s favourite books from those entered. Suitable for ages 5-12, adults and lovers of picture books!
16 April: Youth Week | Short Story Writing with Will Kostakis (Sutherland)
Discover the art of writing compelling short stories that will captivate readers from start to finish with Will Kostakis, the author of The First Third and We Could be Something. Suitable for ages 13 to 18.
20 April: Crafting Your Crime Novel with Dinuka McKenzie (Illawarra)
Ever wondered why crime fiction remains one of the most popular genres on the market that keeps readers coming back for more? Join crime author Dinuka McKenzie as she breaks down the key elements underpinning compelling crime fiction. In this four-hour interactive workshop, Dinuka will take participants through what makes a good crime novel and focus on the key components of the crime writer’s toolkit.
20-21 April: Writers at the Woolshed (Wagga Wagga)
Writers at the Woolshed 2024 brings you eight incredible writers and one internationally renowned portrait artist. Listen to the writers discussing the stories behind their books, learn from them in a workshop and watch artist Dave Thomas paint a portrait in an hour at their Paddock to Plate dinner.
20-21 April: Book Boyfriend Author Expo (Newcastle)
Do you love to read? Head to Newcastle Book Boyfriend, where you can meet over a hundred best selling and award winning local, interstate and International authors. With genres ranging from romance, paranormal, fantasy, thriller and historical to name a few. You can chat with authors, get books signed and spend the weekend with like minded readers.
Until 21 April: The Lewis Trilogy (Sydney)
The Lewis Trilogy by Louis Nowra is an epic three-play event that has garnered gobsmacking reviews and standing ovations from adoring audiences. With an ensemble of eight of Sydney’s favourite actors, Griffin Theatre Company presents three of Nowra’s most iconic plays like you’ve never seen them before—bursting the seams of the SBW Stables Theatre with love, loss and glorious Australiana.
21 April: Book vs Movie Club: The Rainmaker (Illawarra)
Join a super chilled book club where you’re welcome to read the book, watch the movie or both! This month the club will be reading/watching The Rainmaker by John Grisham.
24 April: Inqueering Minds Book Club (Sydney)
Better Read’s Inqueering Minds Book Club will explore the beauty and complexity of LGBTQIA+ literature through time. The books each provide a small glimpse into a rich world of queer perspectives; perspectives that have continually pushed boundaries, imagined new futures, and insisted on the potentiality and concrete possibility of a better world. Their April meeting will discuss Big Swiss by Jen Beagin.
30 April: Christine Evans in-conversation with Hilary Bell (Sydney)
Join Better Read Than Dead with Christine Evans to celebrate the release of Nadia. Christine Evans’s novel takes us to the recent past of a war that broke apart a European country and that presciently foreshadowed the rise of ethno-nationalism in the West. Tense, suspenseful, and mordantly funny, Nadia tracks the complex ways in which a past marked by political violence can shadow and disrupt the present. Christine will be joined by Hilary Bell.
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