2025 Sydney Writers' Festival: Live & Local

Join us for Live & Local 2025, streamed live by Sydney Writers’ Festival and delivered locally at Harry Bailey Memorial Library, Yarrila Place. After the wild success of Live & Local in 2024, Sydney Writers’ Festival’s 2025 live-stream event brings the best of the festival direct to Harry Bailey Memorial Library at Yarrila Place. One of Australia’s most loved forums for literature, ideas and storytelling, Sydney Writers’ Festival will live-stream its headline events from Sydney to Harry Bailey Memorial Library on Thursday 22, Friday 23, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May.  

Prepare to be invigorated and engaged by conversations, debates and discussions featuring some of the world’s finest writers and thinkers. Audiences can also participate in live Q&A sessions at each event, sending questions straight to the Sydney stage.  

All live stream sessions will be held in the Learning Lab, Level 2, Harry Bailey Memorial Library and all sessions are FREE so book your place now!

 

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Thursday 22 May

GINA CHICK | We are the stars

Hear Alone Australia winner Gina Chick regale you with stories of her extraordinary life, from her unconventional childhood to deep links with nature as an adult. With Rosemarie Milsom. 

12-1pm 

Book here!

DAVID NICHOLLS | You are here 

Travel the winding road of love through first encounters and second chances with bestselling novelist and screenwriter David Nicholls, in conversation with Jennifer Byrne on his latest love story. 

2-3pm 

Book here!

PAST AND FUTURE OF INDIGENOUS RECOGNITION 

Respected Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo and historian Clare Wright reflect on the history of First Nations movements for change in Australia and look at next steps. With Lorena Allam. 

4-5pm 

Book here!

 

Friday 23 May

HELEN GARNER | The season

Hear iconic Australian writer Helen Garner’s reflections on football and the cycles of life in The Season, her first full-length book in a decade. In conversation with David Leser. 

12-1pm

Book here!

ALAN HOLLINGHURST | Our evenings

Hear Alan Hollinghurst discuss his seventh novel, a rich and pleasurable account of a lifetime in modern England and the search for identity. In conversation with Georgina Godwin. 

2-3pm

Book here!

COLM TÓIBÍN | From Brooklyn to Long Island

Hear how Laureate of Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín returned to the Lacey family of international bestseller Brooklyn with the long-awaited sequel, set 20 years after Rose’s death. With ABC Radio National’s Kate Evans (The Bookshelf). 

4-5pm

Book here!

 

Saturday 24 May

A.C. GRAYLING | Cn Cancel Culture 

Philosopher A.C. Grayling traces ‘cancel culture’ back to the ancient Greeks and tries to find a middle ground among the incendiary debates fanned by contemporary culture wars. 

12-1pm

Book here!

 

Sunday 25 May

THE HOT MESS SHOW WITH JEFF KINNEY 

Join Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney for wild on-stage antics. Celebrate the latest Wimpy Kid book while satisfying your craving 

for family fun! Rec. ages 7–12. 

12-1pm

Book here!

 

 

 

When

  • Thursday, 23 May 2024 | 12:00 AM - Sunday, 26 May 2024 | 11:59 PM

Location

Learning Lab, Level 2, Harry Bailey Memorial Library, 27 Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour, 2450, View Map

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