Sydney Writers' Festival

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Sydney Writers' Festival 2008 - Online Program

Ticketed Events

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ALL | Mon 19 | Tue 20 | Wed 21 | Thu 22 | Fri 23 | Sat 24 | Sun 25 May 2008

• 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

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

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

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 : 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

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

• 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 : 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

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

18 : 30

49: An Evening with Debra Adelaide Debra Adelaide discusses her much anticipated new book, A Household Guide to Dying.	Wollongong City Gallery, Blue Scope Steel Gallery 18:30 to 19:30	Ticketed Event
Fiction	In Conversation	More Info

47: Call Me Mum – Katoomba An affecting and resonant film exploring the human cost of black/white race relations in Australia.	The Edge Cinema 18:30 to 20:30	Ticketed Event
Life Writing, Indigenous	Film	More Info

19 : 00

50: Is There Hope in Sydney? Are Sydney's residents experiencing a scarcity in engagement, empowerment and hope? James Arvanitakis and Kate Crawford discuss.	Museum of Sydney, AGL Theatre 19:00 to 20:30	Ticketed Event
Culture & Heritage, Current Affairs, History	Panel	More Info

19 : 30

51: Liyarn Ngarn A powerful documentary charting British actor Pete Postlethwaite's journey into Aboriginal Australia with musician Archie Roach.	Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay 19:30 to 21:45	Ticketed Event
Culture & Heritage, Current Affairs, Indigenous	Film	More Info

• Thursday, May 22 2008 •

07 : 30

53: Loretta Napoleoni Business Breakfast International terrorism expert and economist, Loretta Napoleoni, discusses her book 'Rogue Economics' over breakfast.	Café Sydney 07:30 to 09:00	Ticketed Event
Nonfiction, Current Affairs	Literary Lunch/Dinner	More Info

09 : 30

54: CBCA Writing Masterclass with Jeni Mawter A masterclass for young writers aged 9-13 years with Jeni Mawter.	NSW Writers’ Centre 09:30 to 15:30	Ticketed Event
Children & Young Adults	Workshops	More Info

55: 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 09:30 to 12:30	Ticketed Event
Industry	Workshops	More Info

337: Workshop: Playing Between the Frames - Creating Graphic Novels with Nicki Greenberg Explore the process of telling stories in which pictures play a major narrative role.	Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Woolley Room 09:30 to 12:30	Ticketed Event
Fiction, Industry	Workshops	More Info

10 : 00

60: Holding Up the Sky * SOLD OUT * Sandy Blackburn-Wright tells the very personal story of her 15 years spent in South Africa.	Sydney Theatre, Richard Wherrett Studio 10:00 to 11:00	Ticketed Event
Life Writing	In Conversation	More Info

59: Not Another Misery Memoir... Imran Ahmad, Judith Lucy and Ryan Knighton discuss their humour-infused memoirs with Anton Enus.	Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay 10:00 to 11:00	Ticketed Event
Life Writing	Panel	More Info

57: What’s the Big Idea? Simon Critchley, John Gray and Maria Turmarkin consider some big topics: death, religion and courage.	Pier 2/3, Upstairs Writers’ Salon 10:00 to 11:00	Ticketed Event
Nonfiction	Panel	More Info

350: Jeanette Winterson on ABC Radio National’s Book Show Ramona Koval speaks to acclaimed UK writer Jeanette Winterson.	Pier 2/3, Downstairs 10:00 to 11:00	Ticketed Event
Fiction	In Conversation	More Info

11 : 30

68: Hermione Lee on Edith Wharton Biographer Hermione Lee discloses the back story to her acclaimed life of writer Edith Wharton.	Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay 11:30 to 12:30	Ticketed Event
Life Writing, Nonfiction	Lecture	More Info

66: Jan Wong in Conversation Jan Wong discusses her new book, 'Beijing Confidential'.	Pier 2/3, Upstairs Writers’ Salon 11:30 to 12:30	Ticketed Event
Nonfiction, Culture & Heritage, Life Writing	In Conversation	More Info

69: Peter Ho Davies in Conversation Peter Ho Davies’ 'The Welsh Girl' tackles identity, nationalism, lies and redemption with a quiet punch.	Sydney Theatre, Richard Wherrett Studio 11:30 to 12:30	Ticketed Event
Fiction	In Conversation	More Info

65: The Final Journey Debra Adelaide, Virginia Lloyd and Susan Wyndham discuss writing about dying in fiction, memoir and nonfiction.	Pier 2/3, Downstairs 11:30 to 12:30	Ticketed Event
Fiction, Nonfiction, Life Writing	Panel	More Info

12 : 30

76: Kate Jennings Literary Lunch Kate Jennings talks about her new book, Stanley and Sophie over lunch.	The Sebel Pier One Sydney, Harbour Watch Room 12:30 to 14:30	Ticketed Event
Life Writing, Nonfiction	Literary Lunch/Dinner	More Info

75: Mo Hayder Reader’s Lunch Calling all crime fiends and aspiring writers! Mo Hayder discusses her work and yours over lunch.	Café Sydney 12:30 to 14:30	Ticketed Event
Crime, Industry	Workshops	More Info

13 : 00

78: Growing Old Disgracefully * SOLD OUT * Some rage against ageing, while others have a good laugh at their own expense. Margaret Fink, Robyn Williams and Anne Deveson discuss.	Pier 2/3, Downstairs 13:00 to 14:00	Ticketed Event
Life Writing, Nonfiction	Panel	More Info

81: My Friend the Fanatic Sadanand Dhume discusses his portrait of Indonesia painted through the travels of a pair of unlikely protagonists.	Sydney Theatre, Richard Wherrett Studio 13:00 to 14:00	Ticketed Event
Current Affairs, Nonfiction, Travel,	In Conversation	More Info

77: Sins of the Father Blake Morrison and John Burnside discuss their memoirs of father-son relationships.	Pier 2/3, Upstairs Writers’ Salon 13:00 to 14:00	Ticketed Event
Life Writing, Nonfiction	In Conversation	More Info

80: Private Lives, Public Histories Wibke Bruhns, Naldo Rei and Sandy Blackburn-Wright discuss their personal lives set against the backdrop of significant world events.	Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay 13:00 to 14:00	Ticketed Event
Life Writing, History	Panel	More Info

13 : 30

346: Workshop: Writing Historical Fiction with Antoni Jach Explore the process of writing a novel that uses history for the purposes of creating fiction.	Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Carmichael Room 13:30 to 16:30	Ticketed Event
Fiction, Industry	Workshops	More Info

347: Workshop: Writing Memoir with Georgia Blain * SOLD OUT * Every life is a story worth telling. Learn how to write about yours.	Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, Woolley Room 13:30 to 16:30	Ticketed Event
Life Writing	Workshops	More Info

14 : 30

89: Gunyah, Goondie and Wurley: The Aboriginal Architecture of Australia Paul Memmott discusses indigenous architecture.	Museum of Sydney, AGL Theatre 14:30 to 15:30	Ticketed Event
Culture & Heritage, Indigenous	Lecture	More Info

91: New Insights in Australian History Patrick Lindsay and James Boyce talk about their books 'Fromelles' and 'Van Diemen’s Land'.	Pier 2/3, Upstairs Writers’ Salon 14:30 to 15:30	Ticketed Event
Culture & Heritage,