Think books are all about curling up at home? Not during May, when the
Sydney Writer's Festival hosts a number of events around Sydney which see writers from all forms and genres come together for book launches, panels, author talks, readings and more. This year's theme is the line between the public and the private.
Writers involved with the 2012 Sydney Writer's Festival include local and international authors, both well-known and emerging. One of the most notable international guests is Pulitzer Prize-winner Jeffrey Eugenides, author of popular novels The Virgin Suicides, Middlesex and his latest bestseller, The Marriage Plot. He will be talking to Caroline Baum at City Recital Hall on Thursday May 17. Jeff Kinney, author of the popular children's series Diary of a Wimpy Kid, will also talk about his work on Wednesday May 16. Prominent local writers involved with the festival include Peter Fitzsimons, Susan Duncan and Kate Grenville, who will each talk about the inspiration behind their latest books.
The festival is a great opportunity for wannabe writers to get an insight into the minds of successful authors and there are a number of writing and genre workshops held throughout the week in the State Library of NSW. But for those who prefer reading, why not watch one of the many panel discussions? Topics include crime fiction, fantasy, Australian classics, the war in Afghanistan and climate change.
Or perhaps you'd like to catch Miles Franklin Award Winners Thomas Keneally, Steve Carroll and Rodney Hall or watch well-known novelists Kathy Lette (co-author of Puberty Blues) and Tara Moss participate in a discussion on feminism. You could also listen to Aboriginal author Anita Heiss challenge racial perceptions, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki explain how our bodies work or Independent politician Bob Katter discuss his love of Australia with former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
This year the Sydney Writer's Festival includes over 300 events and 400 participants so there is something for everyone. Some events are free, while others are ticketed or require a booking. Check out the full guide
here.
