FAQs

The next Sydney Writers' Festival will run from 20–26  May 2024. Some events fall outside these dates and are advertised on individual event listings. 

Festival events are one hour in duration unless otherwise stated.

For any general inquiries, please contact the Sydney Writers’ Festival by emailing info@swf.org.au.

The Festival is made up of free and ticketed events.

Our printed program is available to pick up at libraries and bookstores across Sydney. You can also find a digital copy of the printed program available for download here. Please consult our website for the most up-to-date information on sessions.  

Please find the ticketing terms and conditions here.

Concession tickets are available to all children aged 16 and under and valid concession card holders including full-time students, seniors, Health Care Card holders and Pensioners Concession Card Holders. You may be required to show proof of eligibility when entering the venue. Please make sure you have your concession card with you when you arrive, whether it is a government/Centrelink pension or health care card, or a student card.  

Children aged two and under are eligible for free entry if they do not require a seat and can sit on a lap. They do not receive a physical ticket; those aged three and over will need to book a ticket at Concession price.  

GA/General Admission means that there is no allocated seating into the event. You can go in and sit where you please to get the view of the event that you desire, if that seat has not already been taken. At the 2024 Festival, all paid events are allocated seating. Many free events are General Admission.  

If you believe you are entitled to a refund, please email ticketing@swf.org.au or phone the box office on (02) 9256 4200 and we will discuss your request with you. Please refer to our full refund policy in our Terms and Conditions for more information on what can and cannot be refunded. 

If you are looking to purchase additional tickets next to your current tickets, please call the box office on (02) 9256 4200 and we will discuss with you what is possible to get the best outcome for you and your friends.  

All Print at Home (PAH) Tickets purchased prior to 13 May 2024 will be sent out in the week leading up to the Festival. If you do not receive your PAH-Ticket 48 hours out from your first event, please email ticketing@swf.org.au or call the box office on 02 9256 4200 to get your ticket(s) arranged immediately.  Mobile Tickets will be sent out five (5) days prior to the Festival commencing. Again, please contact the box office to get your tickets sent out if you have not received them.  

Access information including details on Auslan-interpreted and closed-captioned events, and venues fitted with a hearing loop system is available on event pages. Find out more about access information at the Festival here. 

Accessibility seats are charged at a concession rate in all events and venues.

If you are unable to attend the Festival and want to cancel your tickets, please contact us on ticketing@swf.org.au or 02 9256 4200 and we will discuss your options with you.

Companion Card holders qualify for a complimentary ticket for their companion. Please call our box office on 02 9256 4200 to arrange a Companion ticket.

Many events are recorded each year for podcasts, but at this time there has been no decision made on which events will be published on the website. The best this to do is to keep an eye on our e-newsletter and follow SWF on your podcast app. Podcasts will be released throughout the year and there is a large library of past podcasts available at online or through various podcasts apps.

Volunteer applications are closed for 2024. If you would like to register your interest in volunteering for the 2025 Festival, please feel free to contact us and we will send you a reminder when applications open. 

Yes, you can get your book signed after a Festival event. 

Invitations are issued at the discretion of the Artistic Director.

Each year, Sydney Writers' Festival receives hundreds of unsolicited submissions from authors wishing to speak at the Festival or putting forward ideas for the program. We are not able to respond to the submissions or return materials sent for consideration.

While publishers attend the Sydney Writers' Festival, the Festival is not the appropriate avenue to present your book to publishers. We recommend you approach publishers through the usual channels, either by submitting your manuscript directly or by engaging a literary agent.

If you need advice on getting your book published, please visit the websites of the Australian Society of Authors or Australian Publishers Association.

No. For privacy reasons, we are unable to pass on contact details for authors, and we cannot pass on messages. The best way to contact authors is through their publisher or agents.

You are welcome to recommend an author for consideration. Please email your suggestions to info@swf.org.au. Due to the volume of suggestions, we are unable to respond to each one.

You can find the Privacy Policy here.