Sydney Writers' Festival Live and Local 2025

8:00–9:00AM Markus Zusak: Three Wild Dogs and the Truth
Twenty years after his international sensation The Book Thief, Markus Zusak turns to non-fiction. Listen as Markus extols on love and human-animal connection in his memoir about his three big pound dogs. In conversation with Richard Glover.

10:00–11:00AM 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.

12:00–1:00PM 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.

2:00–3:00PM 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.

4:00–5:00PM Kaliane Bradley: The Ministry of Time
Question what it means to change the world by defying history with Kaliane Bradley’s bestselling debut, which blends time travel, romance and spy thriller. With host Melanie Kembrey.

6:00–7:00PM State of the Art: The Novel 
Join esteemed novelists Rumaan Alam, Robbie Arnott, Samantha Harvey and Torrey Peters as they discuss the state of the novel with host ABC Radio National’s Kate Evans (The Bookshelf).
 

8:00–9:00AM The Moriarty Sisters
Join the Moriarty sisters, Jaclyn, Liane and Nicola, as they discuss their career beginnings, different publishing paths and many successes with writer and broadcaster Sarah Macdonald.

10:00–11:00AM 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.

12:00–1:00PM 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.

2:00–3:00PM 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.

4:00–5:00PM Untrue Crime
Novelist Shankari Chandran, investigative journalist Kate McClymont and Diamond Dagger Award winner Ian Rankin discuss the line between fact and fiction in the stories they tell about crime. With host Matthew Condon.

8:00–9:00AM Bakers' Delight
With host Jennifer Wong, get special insight into the art and industry of baking from the queens of Australian pastry, Flour and Stone's Nadine Ingram, Beatrix Bakes' Natalie Paull and Lune Croissanterie's Kate Reid.

10:00–11:00AM A.C. Grayling on 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 flamed by contemporary culture wars.

12:00–1:00PM Ben Macintyre: The Siege
Ben Macintyre discusses his definitive account of the 1980 Iranian embassy siege in London which put the SAS on the world stage. With Richard Fidler.

2:00–3:00PM Ian Rankin: Master of Crime
Following the latest instalment of the Inspector Rebus series, Ian Rankin reflects on his career as an international bestselling author and the UK’s #1 crime writer. With Michael Williams.

3:30–4:30PM Wandering Wild with Lynette Noni
Lynette Noni is the bestselling and award-winning author of The Prison Healer series, The Medoran Chronicles, and the Whisper duology. She appears in conversation with Alex Adsett to discuss her latest novel, Wandering Wild.

8:00–9:00AM Trumpocalypse Now
Listen in as experts on US politics Peter Beinart, Nick Bryant and Emma Shortis unpack Trump’s first months in office and what to expect over the next four years. With host Barrie Cassidy.

10:00–11:00AM 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.

12:00–1:00PM Making a Writer
Prominent writers Colm Tóibín and Charlotte Wood discuss how they became writers and what Ireland and Australia’s literary culture means to them. With host Michael Williams.

1:30–2:30PM Spies, Lies and Secrets
Join Jack Beaumont and Ben Macintyre as they lead you into the reality of espionage and intrigue, in conversation with Matthew Condon.

3:30–4:30PM Closing Address: Anna Funder: The Bears Out There
Anna Funder’s work explores the best and worst that humans are capable of. Hear her discuss how we can resist the exploitation of our humanity in a world of bots and tech bros that sees humans as raw material.