Watch the live stream of selected events from the Sydney Writers’ Festival at the State Library and Archives of Tasmania and in selected public libraries – for free.
South
The Sydney Writers’ Festival Live and Local live stream is available for free in Hobart from Thursday 21 May to Sunday 24 May
The following are held in Hobart at:
Ground Floor,
State Library and Archives of Tasmania Building,
91 Murray Street
Thursday 21 May
A.C. Grayling: The future of democracy: Fighting authoritarianism
Time: 10:00 am – 10:55 am
Hear how Professor of Philosophy A.C. Grayling outlines the fragility of democracy in the face of rising authoritarianism in For the People, followed by a discussion chaired by Nick Bryant and Rosalind Dixon. Presented in collaboration with the UNSW Resilient Democracy Lab.
Yann Martel: Son of Nobody
Time: 12:00 pm – 12:55 pm
Unravel ancient traditions of storytelling with Booker Prize-winning author of Life of Pi, Yann Martel, as he discusses his new novel, Son of Nobody. With ABC Radio National’s Claire Nichols. Presented in partnership with ABC Radio National.
Stephanie Alexander: The Cook’s Companion 30th anniversary
Time: 2:00 pm – 2:55 pm
Hear from Australia’s beloved chef Stephanie Alexander on the 30th anniversary of her essential kitchen resource and one of our favourite cookbooks. With chef Adam Liaw.
Various: Bringing the past to life
Time: 4:00 pm – 4:55 pm
Sink into stories from near and far in this Festival favourite event with Robbie Arnott, Yann Martel and Tasma Walton in conversation with ABC Radio National’s Kate Evans.
Friday 22 May
Amitav Ghosh: Big histories
Time: 10:00 am – 10:55 am
Revisit the past to find solutions for the present and future with bestselling author Amitav Ghosh and existential risk researcher Luke Kemp. With host Clare Wright.
Susan Choi: Flashlight
Time: 12:00 pm – 12:55 pm
Join 2025 Booker Prize–shortlisted writer Susan Choi as she discusses family, absence and alienation in her new novel Flashlight, in conversation with Beejay Silcox. Supported by the Literature Translation Institute of Korea and the Korean Cultural Centre Australia.
Trent Dalton: Gravity Let Me Go
Time: 2:00 – 2:55 pm
Join multi-award-winning writer Trent Dalton to discuss his latest novel, Gravity Let Me Go, and its themes of love, family, ambition and deception. In conversation with Cassie McCullagh. Supported by Vision Australia.
Mick Herron and Suzie Miller: Great Adaptations
Time: 4:00 pm – 4:55 pm
Get behind the scenes insight into adapting stories from page to screen, with writers Mick Herron (Slow Horses) and Suzie Miller (Prima Facie) in conversation with Benjamin Law.
Saturday 23 May
Amitav Ghosh in conversation
Time: 10:00 am – 10:55 am
Join acclaimed writer Amitav Ghosh to explore the themes of history, post-colonialism and environmentalism behind his rich body of work, including his new novel Ghost-Eye. In conversation with Michael Williams.
Sunday 24 May
The future of truth
Time: 10:00 am – 10:55 am
Join international correspondent Barbara Demick, philosopher A.C. Grayling, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales and AI researcher Toby Walsh as they share their perspectives on the value of truth today. With ABC Radio National’s Natasha Mitchell. Jimmy Wales’ appearance is thanks to the support of Phillip Keir and Sarah Benjamin.
North
The Sydney Writers’ Festival Live and Local live stream is available for free at the following public libraries in the north:
(All times in AEST.)
Thursday 21 May
Yann Martel: Son of Nobody
Time: 12:00 pm – 12:55 pm
Stephanie Alexander: The Cook’s Companion 30th Anniversary
Time: 2:00 pm – 2:55 pm
Friday 22 May
Susan Choi: Flashlight
Time: 12:00 pm – 12:55 pm
Trent Dalton: Gravity Let Me Go
Time: 2:00 pm – 2:55 pm
Find out which live stream events are showing at your nearest library in Eventbrite.
Seating is provided. Note that these are live streaming events only and authors are not attending in person.
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