The Sydney Morning Herald logo

Sydney Writers' Festival

Advertisement
Bestselling crime author Michael Robotham addresses readers at an independent bookseller’s event.

Is Sydney Writers’ Festival screwing its writers? This isn’t fiction

Bestselling author Michael Robotham is among those unimpressed with the festival’s demand that writers not appear at other book events.

  • Melissa Mantle

Latest

Patrick Radden Keefe’s new book is London Falling.

‘It’s going to get weird’: How this reporter helps the real-life subjects of his books cope with sudden exposure

The celebrated New Yorker writer talks about solving mysteries others haven’t, reporting on people with a tendency for violence – and why he’d love to tell an Australian story.

  • Melanie Kembrey
The importance of work, and the sacrifices it demands, are central concerns in Martel’s new novel.

‘How much of my soul will it carve out?’: Life of Pi author Yann Martel on work-life balance

The Booker Prize-winning author is back with his first novel in 10 years – but there are good reasons for the long break.

  • Richard Jinman
Palestinian-Australian academic Randa Abdel-Fattah has already sold out her appearance at Sydney Writers’ Festival.

Randa Abdel-Fattah sells out Sydney Writers’ Festival appearance

The academic was sensationally dumped from Adelaide Writers’ Week in January, sending the festival into meltdown. Her Sydney appearance has already sold out.

  • John Buckley

Sydney Writers’ Festival promises ‘brave conversations’ in wake of Gaza controversy

The festival is staring down a letter-writing campaign targeting its sponsors as it announces a program of intellectual heft and big literary names.

  • Linda Morris
Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah will appear at Sydney Writers’ Festival.

Caught between audiences and supporters, arts companies face an uncertain future

Sydney Writers’ Festival is caught in an intractable bind that has major consequences for ideas and talks festivals across the country.

  • Linda Morris
Advertisement
A testing time for writers festivals.

How Adelaide’s writers’ week collapse is shaping Australia’s major literary festivals

The rancour surrounding the implosion of Adelaide Writers’ Week has meant all upcoming festivals in 2026 are risk-checking their programs.

  • Kerrie O'Brien and Linda Morris
Arts minister John Graham with State Librarian Caroline Butler-Bowdon and  Sydney Writers’ Festival CEO Brooke Webb.

‘Sydney is not a shallow city’: Major change for Sydney Writers’ Festival

The development is good news for writers – and their readers.

  • Linda Morris
Check out the head of hair.

Writers, I’m on your side – now here’s my list of complaints

Even as a forgiving reader, I have my quibbles.

  • Richard Glover
Cardinal George Pell celebrates a special mass in Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral in 2004.

Sky News’ favourite college opens Cardinal George Pell hall

Campion College, a small institution in western Sydney, is a safe space for conservatives.

  • Kishor Napier-Raman, Stephen Brook and Liam Mannix