With the Sydney Writers’ Festival underway this month, there’s loads to look forward to towards the end of May, and lots of other book-ish events and workshops to keep you occupied in the meanwhile!
May 4: Catherine Fox in Conversation with Margot Saville
Millions of words have been spent in our quest to explain men’s seemingly never-ending dominance in boardrooms, in parliaments, in the bureaucracy and in almost every workplace. So why is gender inequality still such a pressing issue? Catherine Fox explains by taking notes from her newest release, Stop Fixing Women. Gleeclub, 6:30pm start, $12/$9.
May 4: Jenevieve Chang Book Launch
Join Better Read’s for drinks, nibbles and joie de vivre as we celebrate the release of Jenevieve Chang’s memoir, The Good Girl of Chinatown. The event will be emceed by performer and comedian Drew Fairley, with a performance by Jenevieve. Newtown, 6:30pm start. Bookings are essential.
May 10: Susan Carland on Fighting Hislam
At a time when the media trumpets scandalous revelations about life for women from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, Carland talks with Muslim women about how they are making a stand for their sex, while holding fast to their faith. Gleeclub, 6:30pm start, $12/$9.
May 10: Literary Luncheon with Alana Valentine & Jan Conway
Alana will discuss the methods she developed as a Harold White Fellow at the National Library of Australia and a Prime Minister’s Centre Fellow at the Museum of Australian Democracy, which resulted in her stage plays Letters to Lindy and Crossing the King. They will be of interest to any writer who plans to use research in their own writing work. Gallery Room, State Library of NSW, 12-2:30pm. Bookings are required by 10am on the Monday before meeting. For more details, contact swwlunchbooking@gmail.com
May 10: Cathie Tasker on Trends in Children’s and YA Fiction
Once an editor/publisher, Cathie Tasker has edited and commissioned nearly 800 books, mostly children’s and YA fiction. Cathie sees her most important skill as teaching writing and working as a structural or developmental editor to help authors shape and develop their work. Gallery Room, State Library of NSW, 10-11:50am. Bookings are required by 10am on the Monday before meeting. For more details, contact swwlunchbooking@gmail.com
May 10:The Society of Women Writers Australia Literary Luncheon
Playwright Alana Valentine will be the keynote speaker at May’s literary luncheon, speaking about the methods she developed as a Harold White Fellow at the National Library of Australia and a Prime Minister’s Centre Fellow at the Museum of Australian Democracy. Bookings are required.
May 11: Humans of Parramatta Rd
‘Humans of Parramatta Rd’ is a two-hour performance of stories from the Parramatta Road corridor. Performed by talented Little Fictions’ actors, Claire Oehme, Joel Horwood and Kate Fraser, these are new tales penned by award-winning Sydney authors John Dale, Jen Craig and Julie Chevalier as well as an array of new and emerging local writers. Leichhardt Town Hall, 7-10pm, $17.
May 11: Giants, Trolls, Witches, Beasts Book Launch
You are invited to celebrate the publication of Giants, Trolls, Witches, Beasts by Craig Phillips. Diverse myths and legends from around the world, from Iceland to Poland to Japan, Giants, Trolls, Witches, Beasts features ten fairytales from across the globe retold as comics in easy-to-read glorious full-colour book form. Kinokuniya, 6-8pm, free entry. Booking is essential.
May 13: Poets for the People
An evening of poetry and hip hop to express and celebrate resistance and struggle featuring renowned people’s poets Lizzy Jarret, Ken Canning, Indigenous grandfather of hip hop legend MunkiMuk, feminist comedic wonder Katie Thorburn, and many more. Resistance Centre, 6:30-10pm, $7/$12.
May 18: Poets at the Petersham Bowl
Join other poets for an evening of open mic performance on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Mainly poetry, but other writing forms (such as short story, anecdotes, comedy, acoustic) are welcome! 6:30pm, Petersham Bowling Club. Admission is free.
May 20: Better Read’s Biggest Morning Tea
Join Better Read’s for a high tea with Australian authors Amanda Hampson and Pamela Hart, who will be in-conversation about their novels, the writing process and their passions, interests and inspiration. A high tea of sweets, scones, champagne, tea and sandwiches will be served during the talk, and books will be available for sale and signing after the event. Newtown, 3pm, $25.
May 22: NSW Premier’s Literary Awards Presentation and Cocktail Reception
This glittering celebration of excellence in Australian writing is held on the first night of the Sydney Writers’ Festival. Established in 1979, the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards have recognised hundreds of talented Australian writers, including novelists, poets, playwrights, scriptwriters and authors of non-fiction and 
children’s books. With prizes totalling $305,000, the awards are among the nation’s richest and most prestigious. State Library of NSW, 6-9:30pm, $60/$55.
May 24: Sarah Crossan in Conversation with Mia Freedman
YA author, Sarah Crossan, will be in conversation with the co-founder and creative director of Mamamia, Mia Freedman, who will lead an open and honest conversation about Sarah’s writing as well as communicating with young women and teenagers on the challenging, but vital topics of family and friendship. Sydney CBD, 6:30-7:30 pm, $18/$35. Bookings are essential.
May 25: Forest for the Trees
Forest for the Trees is a one-day seminar that explores the current state of writing and publishing in Australia. The conversation will cover mainstream, digital and independent publishing, ending with a panel of industry experts who will shine some light on the year ahead. State Library of NSW, 10-4:30pm, $65/$45.
May 22-28: Sydney Writers’ Festival
The program is massive, eclectic and out now! Grab a copy in the NSW Writers’ Centre foyer or peruse online.
May 30: Author talk by Tina Allen
Hear Southern-Highlands based author Tina Allen deliver a talk at the Lane Cove Library on her first book, a warmly-written biography entitled Bill Gibson: pioneering bionic ear surgeon. Books will be for sale during the evening and the library will provide wine and snacks for this free event that begins at 6.15pm.