Sydney Writers' Festival

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• Thursday, May 15 2008 •
18 : 00	1: Launch: Westside 08 A showcase of young writers, artists and photographers of Western Sydney. Bankstown Town Hall 18:00 to 20:00 Free Event Fiction Launch  More Info
• Friday, May 16 2008 •
10 : 00	2: Hanoi to Beirut Express: A Tour of Bankstown  * SOLD OUT * Comb the arcades and streets of Bankstown, Sydney’s culinary united nations. Various 10:00 to 16:00 Ticketed Event Food & Drink Tour  More Info
• Saturday, May 17 2008 •
09 : 00	3: Story Mastery Seminar with Michael Hauge A one day seminar with US story consultant Michael Hauge. Chauvel Cinema 09:00 to 17:00 Ticketed Event Scriptwriting Workshops  More Info
09 : 30	5: Workshop: Creativity, Memory and Place with Catherine Cole  * SOLD OUT * Explore creativity, ideas, memory and place, and learn new ways of thinking about how you write. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Woolley Room 09:30 to 12:30 Ticketed Event Life Writing, Industry, Fiction Workshops  More Info 4: Workshop: Freelance Writing for Magazines with Penny Craswell  * SOLD OUT * Learn essential writing, pitching and research skills needed for freelance magazine writing. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Carmichael Room 09:30 to 12:30 Ticketed Event Industry, Nonfiction Workshops  More Info
13 : 30	335: Workshop: Creativity, Memory and Place with Catherine Cole  * SOLD OUT * Explore creativity, ideas, memory and place, and learn new ways of thinking about how you write. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Woolley Room 13:30 to 16:30 Ticketed Event Life Writing, Industry, Fiction Workshops  More Info 338: Workshop: Crime Writing with Michael Robotham  * SOLD OUT * A workshop for budding crime writers who are not quite able to get started or finished. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Carmichael Room 13:30 to 16:30 Ticketed Event Industry, Crime, Fiction Workshops  More Info
• Sunday, May 18 2008 •
09 : 30	6: Workshop: Dramatic Action – An Introduction to Writing for the Stage with Tommy Murphy  * SOLD OUT * A practical scriptwriting workshop focussing on character, story and embracing theatricality. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Woolley Room 09:30 to 12:30 Ticketed Event Scriptwriting, Industry Workshops  More Info
13 : 30	7: Workshop: Crime Writing with Michael Robotham  * SOLD OUT * A workshop for budding crime writers who are not quite able to get started or finished. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Carmichael Room 13:30 to 16:30 Ticketed Event Crime, Industry, Fiction Workshops  More Info 339: Workshop: Freelance Writing for Magazines with Penny Craswell  * SOLD OUT * Learn essential writing, pitching and research skills needed for freelance magazine writing. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Woolley Room 13:30 to 16:30 Ticketed Event Industry Workshops  More Info
• Monday, May 19 2008 •
09 : 30	8: Primary School Days – Parramatta  * SOLD OUT * A celebration of books and writing for students aged 8+. Riverside Theatres, Parramatta 09:30 to 14:00 Ticketed Event Children & Young Adults Author Talk  More Info
10 : 00	9: Torn Awake: Forrest Gander in Conversation Celebrated American poet Forrest Gander discusses his body of work. Carrington Hotel, Katoomba 10:00 to 11:00 Ticketed Event Poetry In Conversation  More Info 352: 42 books about art A new exhibition by artist David Sequeira. University of Sydney, Art Gallery 10:00 to 16:30 Free Event New Media Exhibition  More Info
11 : 30	10: The Authority to Tell a Story Trevor Shearston discusses 'Dead Birds', set in pre-colonial Papua. Carrington Hotel, Katoomba 11:30 to 12:30 Ticketed Event Fiction, History In Conversation  More Info
13 : 00	12: The Ernies Book Meredith Burgmann and Yvette Andrews talk about 'The Ernies Book' with Anne Summers. The Mint 13:00 to 14:00 Free Event Nonfiction, Current Affairs, Culture & Heritage In Conversation  More Info 11: Workshop: Introduction to Creative Writing with Roland Fishman  * SOLD OUT * Unlock your creative potential and dramatically improve the quality of your writing. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Woolley Room 13:00 to 17:00 Ticketed Event Fiction, Industry Workshops  More Info
13 : 30	13: Conflicting Desires: A New Reading of Edith Wharton Hermione Lee shares the public and private conflicts that lie at the heart of Edith Wharton’s books. Carrington Hotel, Katoomba 13:30 to 14:30 Ticketed Event Life Writing Lecture  More Info
15 : 00	14: A Fraction of the Whole: Steve Toltz in Conversation Steve Toltz talks to Malcolm Knox about his blisteringly funny novel 'A Fraction of the Whole'. Carrington Hotel, Katoomba 15:00 to 16:00 Ticketed Event Fiction In Conversation  More Info
16 : 30	15: Poetry Outloud Forrest Gander, John Burnside, Deb Westbury, Mark O’Flynn and Craig Billingham read from their work. Carrington Hotel, Katoomba 16:30 to 17:10 Ticketed Event Poetry Reading  More Info
18 : 00	17: Emily Rodda at Penrith Library  * SOLD OUT * Australian children’s own queen of fantasy talks about her latest book, 'The Key to Rondo'. Penrith City Library 18:00 to 19:00 Ticketed Event Children & Young Adults Author Talk  More Info 16: Linda Jaivin at Kings Cross Library Linda Jaivin discusses her work, the writing process, and the question of inspiration. Kings Cross Library 18:00 to 19:00 Free Event Fiction Author Talk  More Info
18 : 30	18: NSW Premier’s Literary Awards Dinner Prizes presented by the Minister for the Arts and the Premier of NSW. Art Gallery of New South Wales 18:30 to 23:00 Ticketed Event Fiction, Nonfiction Special Event  More Info 19: Secrets of the Red Lantern  * SOLD OUT * Red Lantern’s Pauline Nguyen, Luke Nguyen and Mark Jensen share food, family recipes and stories. Red Lantern Vietnamese Restaurant 18:30 to 22:00 Ticketed Event Food & Drink Literary Lunch/Dinner  More Info
• Tuesday, May 20 2008 •
09 : 30	21: Workshop: The Challenge of Plain English with Ron Denholm  * SOLD OUT * Ron Denholm introduces 10 guidelines that define plain language. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Carmichael Room 09:30 to 12:30 Ticketed Event Industry, Nonfiction Workshops  More Info 23: Primary School Days – Sydney  * SOLD OUT * A celebration of books and writing for students aged 8+. Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay 09:30 to 14:00 Ticketed Event Children & Young Adults Author Talk  More Info 20: Secondary School Days – Parramatta  * SOLD OUT * A celebration of books and writing for students aged 12+. Riverside Theatres, Parramatta 09:30 to 14:00 Ticketed Event Children & Young Adults Author Talk  More Info 22: Workshop: Secrets of Travel Writing with Claire Scobie  * SOLD OUT * Learn how to develop an idea for a travel story and turn it into a polished article. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Woolley Room 09:30 to 16:30 Ticketed Event Travel, Industry Workshops  More Info
10 : 00	24: A Lie About My Father: John Burnside in Conversation Scottish poet and novelist John Burnside discusses his work with Edmund Campion. Carrington Hotel, Katoomba 10:00 to 11:00 Ticketed Event Nonfiction, Poetry, Fiction, In Conversation  More Info 25: Chinatown: Feng Shui, Fashion and Yum Cha Walking Tour  * SOLD OUT * Discover the hidden side of Chinatown and its long and fascinating history. Various 10:00 to 16:00 Ticketed Event Food & Drink Tour  More Info
11 : 30	26: Family Fictions and Family Truths Charlotte Wood and Tegan Bennett Daylight discuss the nature of intimate writing. Carrington Hotel, Katoomba 11:30 to 12:30 Ticketed Event Fiction In Conversation  More Info
12 : 30	27: Soffritto: Lunch at Lucio’s Lucio Galletto and David Dale share their passion for Italian food over lunch. Lucio’s Italian Restaurant 12:30 to 14:30 Ticketed Event Food & Drink Literary Lunch/Dinner  More Info
13 : 00	28: Great Australian Eulogies Richard Walsh shares some of the best examples of this intriguing oral tradition. The Mint 13:00 to 14:00 Free Event Culture & Heritage, History Lecture  More Info
13 : 30	29: An Exacting Heart: The Hephzibah Menuhin Story Jacqueline Kent discusses her biography of Hephzibah Menuhin. Carrington Hotel, Katoomba 13:30 to 14:30 Ticketed Event Life Writing, Nonfiction In Conversation  More Info
14 : 00	348: Workshop: An Insider’s Guide to Getting Published with Melanie Ostell  * SOLD OUT * An insider’s view on pitching to publishers for aspiring fiction and nonfiction authors. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Carmichael Room 14:00 to 17:00 Ticketed Event Industry Workshops  More Info
15 : 00	30: Writing Obsessions: New Australian Fiction Vicki Hastrich, Toni Jordon and Camilla Noli discuss obsession in their novels. Carrington Hotel, Katoomba 15:00 to 16:00 Ticketed Event Fiction Panel  More Info
18 : 30	31: Right Down to the Plumbing: Speculative Fiction and World-building D.M. Cornish, David Kowalski and Stuart Mayne discuss speculative and fantasy fiction writing. Blacktown City Max Webber Library 18:30 to 19:30 Free Event Fiction, Children & Young Adults Panel  More Info 32: Opening Address: Jeanette Winterson Jeanette Winterson opens SWF 2008 with her address, 'GET A BOOK GET A LIFE! how words create meaning'. Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall 18:30 to 20:00 Ticketed Event Fiction Lecture  More Info
19 : 00	33: Exploring Multilingual Spaces – Auburn Readings by members of Auburn Poets and Writers Group. Auburn Council Town Hall 19:00 to 22:00 Free Event Culture & Heritage, Fiction, Poetry Reading  More Info
• Wednesday, May 21 2008 •
07 : 30	34: John Gray Business Breakfast Join John Gray for an incisive overview of today’s global politics over breakfast. Café Sydney 07:30 to 09:00 Ticketed Event Current Affairs, History Literary Lunch/Dinner  More Info
09 : 15	35: Secondary School Days – Sydney A celebration of books and writing for students aged 12+. Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay 09:15 to 14:00 Ticketed Event Children & Young Adults Author Talk  More Info
09 : 30	36: CBCA Writing Masterclass with Frances Watts A masterclass for young writers aged 9-13 years with Frances Watts. NSW Writers’ Centre 09:30 to 15:30 Ticketed Event Children & Young Adults Workshops  More Info 38: Workshop: Approaches to Place with Thomas Kohnstamm  * SOLD OUT * A workshop exploring approaches to writing place for both new and experienced writers. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Woolley Room 09:30 to 12:30 Ticketed Event Travel, Industry Workshops  More Info 37: Workshop: Writing Children's Picture Books with Libby Gleeson  * SOLD OUT * Learn about the process of writing a picture book for children. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Carmichael Room 09:30 to 12:30 Ticketed Event Fiction, Industry Workshops  More Info
12 : 30	39: French Lessons: Lunch with Justin North Bécasse’s Justin North share recipes from the world of French cooking over lunch. Becasse 12:30 to 14:30 Ticketed Event Food & Drink Literary Lunch/Dinner  More Info 40: Jana Wendt Literary Lunch Jana Wendt speaks with Margaret Throsby about getting under the skin of her subjects. The Sebel Pier One Sydney, Harbour Watch Room 12:30 to 14:30 Ticketed Event Food & Drink, Current Affairs Literary Lunch/Dinner  More Info 41: Lunch with Loretta Napoleoni and Leigh Sales Lunch with counter-terrorism, money laundering and terror financing expert, Loretta Napoleoni, with Leigh Sales. The Sofitel Wentworth Sydney 12:30 to 14:30 Ticketed Event Current Affairs Literary Lunch/Dinner  More Info
13 : 00	42: If Trees Could Speak Trees all have stories they could tell. Bob Beale discusses the part they have played in forming our heritage. The Mint 13:00 to 14:00 Free Event Culture & Heritage, History, Science & Environment Lecture  More Info
13 : 30	43: Workshop: Legal Issues for Writers with Jeremy Fisher  * SOLD OUT * Australian Society of Authors Executive Director, Jeremy Fisher, tackles the legal complexities facing authors. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Carmichael Room 13:30 to 16:30 Ticketed Event Industry Workshops  More Info 336: Workshop: An Insider’s Guide to Getting Published with Melanie Ostell  * SOLD OUT * An insider’s view on pitching to publishers for aspiring fiction and nonfiction authors. Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Woolley Room 13:30 to 16:30 Ticketed Event Industry Workshops  More Info
18 : 00	45: Readings from the New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards Geraldine Doogue in conversation with nine of the winners of this year's awards. The Mint 18:00 to 19:30 Free Event Fiction In Conversation  More Info 44: Terry Denton at Newcastle Region Library Join Terry Denton for a fun-filled look at how he writes and illustrates his books. Newcastle Region Library 18:00 to 19:00 Ticketed Event Children & Young Adults Author Talk  More Info

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Bookings - Please refer to each Event for Booking Information.