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5 Events at Sydney Writers’ Festival You Shouldn’t Miss
This year’s event is bigger than ever, and we’ve scoured the program to find the sessions to pop onto your must-see list.
Book lovers and wordsmiths unite: the 2025 Sydney Writers’ Festival program has officially been unveiled, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting lineups yet.
With more than 40 international guests and over 100 Australian authors taking part (34 of which are releasing brand new books this year), the festival—which takes place from May 19 to May 27—is the place to discover brilliant writing and take part in important conversations.
Highlighting extraordinary novels, poetry and writing of all kinds, this year’s theme is In This Together, and events will be focused on discussing a range of major topics, like the future of artificial intelligence, First Nations truth-telling and feminism’s next battleground.
With over 200 events on the program, there’s only one question: where does one begin?
We’re here to help. After scouring the list, here are five of the events you don’t want to miss at the 2025 Sydney Writers’ Festival.
Jeanette Winterson: 40 Years of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
Four decades after her debut novel became a modern classic, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit author Jeanette Winterson takes the stage at SWF. The literally icon will reflect on the novel, which is a coming-of-age tale based on her upbringing by adoptive Pentecostal parents in 1960s Lancashire.
With a career now spanning 10 novels, children’s books, nonfiction and screenplays (including the BAFTA-winning BBC adaptation of her debut), Winterson will recount her writing life for enraptured fans.
Tickets from $35.
Thursday May 22, 6 pm – 7 pm
Sydney Town Hall
Secure your tickets here.
Maggie O’Farrell: Portrait of a Writer
In conversation with Kate Evans, modern literary monument Maggie O’Farrell will tease out the details of her writing life and her masterful career, which span 10 novels, a memoir and various children’s books.
Speaking also of her recent turn into historical fiction—Hamnet is inspired by Shakespeare’s family and The Marriage Portrait is set in 16th-century Italian court—Maggie will also discuss her interest in the depth of women’s stories and the intricate intimacy of families.
Tickets from $35.
Saturday May 24, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Carriageworks
Secure your tickets here.
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Why We Swim
There’s something about the allure of water that makes us want to immerse ourselves in pools, rivers and oceans. Why We Swim sees host Julia Baird interview a panel of talented writers—including Chris Baker, Ali Gripper, Chels Marshall and Yusra Metwally—to discover how swimming has evolved from a practical skill to a powerful form of therapy, creativity and spiritual rejuvenation.
The talk invites the audience to consider swimming as more than just an activity, and is sure to be a refreshing chat for any water loving Sydneysider.
Tickets from $25.
Wednesday May 21, 1:30 pm – 3pm
Australian National Maritime Museum
Secure your tickets here.
Emily Maguire: Rapture
The author of three non-fiction books and seven novels, Emily Maguire takes the stage to discuss her latest work—Rapture, a tender glimpse at life in the Holy Roman Empire.
With politics at its centre, it’s been described as She’s the Man meets the Man Upstairs, and in conversation with interviewer Michaela Kalowski, Emily will discuss how she rewrote history for her newest offering.
Free event.
Sunday May 25, 1pm – 2pm
Margaret Martin Library, Ranwick
Secure your spot here.
Archive Fever: All in the Family
In this live episode of the Archive Fever podcast, co-hosts Yves Rees and Clare Wright probe the promise and pitfalls of working with stories close to home. Joined by award-winning writer Lech Blaine and poet, editor, weaver and cultural producer Anne-Marie Te Whiu, the group will explore digging up family skeletons, navigating the minefield of the truth about loved ones and the impacts journeying into family history can have on the writer themselves.
Tickets from $20.
Sunday May 25, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Carriageworks
Secure your ticket here.
There’s plenty more to see at this year’s Sydney Writers’ Festival, so explore the full program here.
Loving our picks and feeling inspired to see the best Sydney has to offer? Check out our monthly what’s on guide (your inside scoop on the hottest events to add to your calendar ASAP) or find your new favourite read at our editor’s picks of the most gorgeous bookstores in Sydney.
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