Image Credit: Jacquie Manning

Sydney Writers’ Festival Live & Local Returns, Bringing Literary Stars to Regional Australia

Livestreams, live and local, and a love of literature are all part of the program!

From the South Coast of New South Wales to all corners of the country, book lovers across the nation are in for a treat: the Sydney Writers’ Festival Live & Local program is back for 2026. Between Thursday 21 and Sunday 24 May, 152 venues in every state and territory will host livestreamed Festival events, offering audiences outside Sydney a front-row seat to some of the world’s most compelling literary voices.

Now in its latest iteration, Live & Local has expanded to include over 90 partner organisations, 21 of them newcomers, making it the Festival’s broadest national reach yet. Attendees can expect headline talks, intimate conversations, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the minds of internationally acclaimed authors—all without leaving their local community hall, library, or council venue.

Sydney Writers’ Festival Artistic Director, Ann Mossop says, “Live & Local is central to how the Festival reaches audiences beyond Sydney, opening up our headline conversations to communities across the country. Each year, the program connects readers in regional and remote Australia with some of the most sought-after events in our program, delivered in their local venues. It’s about ensuring that wherever you are, you can be part of the ideas, stories and discussions that define Sydney Writers’ Festival.”

Sydney Writers’ Festival Live & Local

When: Thursday 21 and Sunday 24 May

Where: Various venues across the country. Full list can be found here.

Keep up to date with all things arts, exhibitions and stage here.

 

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A Stellar Line-up of Authors

The program’s 2026 line-up boasts a dazzling array of international and homegrown talent. Thriller aficionados can tune in for Slow Horses author Mick Herron, discussing the latest instalment of his globally celebrated espionage series, recently adapted for Apple TV+. Booker Prize–shortlisted novelist Susan Choi will explore her acclaimed novel Flashlight, while children’s literature sensation Dav Pilkey—creator of the Captain Underpants and Dog Man series—brings his irrepressible humour to audiences nationwide.

Literary luminaries Florence Knapp and Lily King, both defining the conversation in 2025 with their latest novels, join internationally recognised author Yann Martel, whose Booker Prize–winning Life of Pi remains beloved worldwide. Meanwhile, Australian voices shine brightly: Trent Dalton, author of Boy Swallows Universe, discusses his new work Gravity Let Me Go; journalist and author Antoinette Lattouf examines women shaping leadership in Women Who Win; and Tasmanian novelist Robbie Arnott presents his evocative fiction, celebrated for its lyrical and distinctive voice.

Events That Spark Conversation

Live & Local isn’t just about authors—it’s about ideas. Great Adaptations on 22 May delves into the process of turning page into stage and screen with Mick Herron and Suzie Miller. History enthusiasts will be drawn to Big Histories, featuring Amitav Ghosh and Luke Kemp in conversation with Clare Wright, while fantasy fans can journey into Fantastical Worlds with R.F. Kuang, Lev Grossman, and Garth Nix. On 24 May, The Future of Truth tackles urgent questions around misinformation and AI, with global thinkers including Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales and philosopher A.C. Grayling.

The program is supported by Libby, the library reading app, allowing audiences to borrow titles by featured authors instantly with a library card, ensuring the literary conversation continues long after the livestream ends.

A list of leading venues in Victoria

Victorian audiences can join in at participating locations including Geelong Library & Heritage Centre, Mornington Peninsula Libraries, Warrnambool City Council, and more, ensuring regional readers are part of this national literary celebration.

For the full program and participating venues, visit here, or explore featured titles here.