The festive season is finally upon us! Between parties, deadlines and shopping, why not squeeze a few bookish events into your schedule this month?
1 December – Book launch: BooksActually’s Gold Standard
BooksActually’s Gold Standard 2016 is a highly anticipated new anthology from indie bookstore BooksActually, comprising short fiction by the best cult writers of East Asia, Southeast Asia and the diaspora. Join editor Julie Koh, select contributors and other experts at the Sydney launch. Better Read Than Dead, free, book online.
Starting 3 December – May Gibbs: Celebrating 100 Years
This display celebrates the life and work of May Gibbs, author of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, with a selection of original and reproduction artwork from her children’s books and other work. See the exhibition at the State Library of NSW until 26 February 2017.
3-4 December – Lifeline Lindfield Book Sale
Stock up on books to read over the holiday season at the Lifeline $2 Book Sale – with thousands of fiction and non-fictions books across a huge variety of genres. Lindfield Book Depot, 9am-4pm both days. More information here.
4 December – Book launch: Quest for Green Gables
Join NSWWC member Valerie Pybus for the launch of her new book, Quest for Green Gables, which recounts her adventure exploring the setting of the beloved childhood book. A selection of pictures from the world of Anne of Green Gables will be shown, and afternoon tea provided. NSW Writers’ Centre, 2-4pm, RSVP by email or phone (9544 8630/0418 670 862).
6 December – Author talk: Troy Bramston
See John Faulkner in conversation with Troy Bramston, author of the new biography Paul Keating: The Big Picture Leader. Gleebooks, 6pm, $12/$9 or free for gleeclub members. Book online.
9 December – NSWWC Christmas Party
Our Christmas Party marks the launch of the 2017 January-June Course Program. It’s also a great opportunity to celebrate the end of the year with our wonderful network of members, staff and some of our talented tutors.
This year will be a casual affair with drinks, nibbles, our famous festive punch and literary games. NSW Writers’ Centre, 5-7pm. Members can RSVP by email (before 3 December), and are welcome to bring a guest.
13 December – Sappho Poetry Night
Sappho’s final poetry night of the year will be hosted by Sydney poet Toby Fitch. Come hear poets read their work, and share your own skills in the open mic section. From 7-10pm, more information here.
13 December – Little Fictions: Xmas Mashup
What if Chekov’s Olga, Maria and Irina waited tables at an outback truckstop? And what if a geriatric Anias Nin and June Miller lived out their squabbling twilight years in the Melbourne suburb of Elwood? These are just two of the intriguing twists you’ll find in the Little Fictions’ xmas mashup of literary cultural references. Knox Street Bar, Chippendale, 7-10pm, $15 (book online).
16 December – Dr Karl Kruszelnicki at Dymocks
Meet Dr Karl as he signs copies of his new book The Doctor, which explores scientific questions and oddities from from the theories of time travel to immortal jellyfish. Dymocks Sydney, 12-2pm, RSVP by email or see more information here.
20 December – The Moth StorySLAM
Risk: Prepare a five-minute story about uncertain situations. Rolling the dice, leaping into the unknown, trying out that gas station sushi. Saying I love you for the first time and hearing back, “Thank you?” Bring us your tales of taking chances and reaping the rewards, or feeling the ouch. Giant Dwarf, 7:00-10:30pm. Get tickets and find out more about performing your story here.