Sydney Writers' Festival: Live & Local 2026 - Redcliffe

Next date: Thursday, 21 May 2026 | 10:00 AM to 04:55 PM

Sydney Writers' Festival's Live & Local returns to Redcliffe Library in 2026 bringing the best of the festival direct to you.

One of Australia’s most loved forums for literature, ideas and storytelling, Sydney Writers’ Festival will live stream its headline events from Sydney to Redcliffe Library on Thursday 21, Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 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 the live Q&A at each event by texting their questions directly to the Sydney Writers' Festival stage.

Author events

You can choose from author events with writers as diverse as AC Grayling, Stephanie Alexander, Trent Dalton, Yann Martel, Amitav Ghosh, Tony Abbott, Florence Knapp and the famed Dav Pilkey - author of Captain Underpants and Dog Man.

Enjoy discussions on The Future of Truth, The Future of Democracy, Big histories, Fantastical Worlds (Lev Grossman, RF Kuang and Garth Nix), Great adaptations (Mick Heron and Suzi Miller) and Bringing the past to life (with Yann Martel, Tasma Walton and Robbie Arnott).

Join us for Live & Local 2026, streamed live by Sydney Writers’ Festival and delivered locally to the Redcliffe Library. Free. Bookings required for author and panel events. Dav Pilkey event suitable for ages 6+ - all other events for adults.

Program

Thu 21 May	The Future of Democracy: Fighting authoritarianism with AC Grayling Discussion chaired by Nick Bryant and Rosalind Dixon.	10:00 AM - 10:55 AM
	Yann Martel: Son of nobody	12:00 PM - 12:55 PM
	Stephanie Alexander: The cook's companion 30th anniversary edition	2:00 PM - 2:55 PM
	Bringing the past to life Robbie Arnott, Yann Martel and Tasma Walton with ABC Radio National's Kate Evans.	4:00 PM - 4:55 PM
Fr 22 May	Big histories Amitav Ghosh and Luke Kent with host Clare Wright.	10:00 AM - 10:55 AM
	Tony Abbott: Australia: A history	12:00 PM - 12:55 PM
	Trent Dalton: Gravity let me go	2:00 PM - 2:55 PM
	Great adaptations Mick Herron and Suzie Miller with Benjamin Law.	4: 00 PM - 4:55 PM
	Florence Knapp: The names	6:00 PM - 6:55 PM
Sat 23 May	Amitav Ghosh in conversation	10:00 AM - 10:55 AM
	The Future of Democracy: Trump's America with Jon Sopel Hosted by Nick Bryant and Rosalind Dixon.	12:00 PM - 12:55 PM
	Fantastical worlds Lev Grossman, RF Kuang and Garth Nix with Carody Culver.	4:00 PM - 4:55 PM
Sun 24 May	The future of truth Barbara Demick, AC Grayling, Jimmy Wales and Toby Walsh with ABC Radio National's Natasha Mitchell.	10:00 AM - 10:55 AM
	Power up with Dave Pilkey	12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
	Antoinette Lattouf: Women who win	2:00 PM - 2:55 PM

Image credit: Jamie Williams.

When

Location

Redcliffe Library, 476 Oxley Avenue, Redcliffe, 4020, View map