Sydney Writers' Festival Live & Local livestream
About the Sydney Writers' Festival Live & Local
Sydney Writers’ Festival is Australia’s largest celebration of books and ideas, bringing the world’s finest authors and esteemed thinkers together for insightful and exhilarating conversations and discussions.
A selection of the Sydney Writers’ Festival Live & Local program will available via live stream, for free, to Gosford Regional, Toukley and Umina Beach libraries.
Schedule:
Thursday 21 May
A.C Grayling - The Future of Democracy: Fighting Authoritarianism
10-10.55am
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.
Gosford Regional Library livestream
Toukley Library livestream
Umina Beach Library livestream
Yann Martel: Son of Nobody
12-12.55pm
Unravel ancient traditions of storytelling with the 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.
Gosford Regional Library livestream
Toukley Library livestream
Umina Beach Library livestream
Stephanie Alexander: The Cook's Companion 30th Anniversary
2-2.55pm
Hear from Australia’s beloved chef Stephanie Alexander on the 30th anniversary of her essential kitchen resource and one of our favourite cookbooks, 'The Cook’s Companion'. With chef Adam Liaw.
Gosford Regional Library livestream
Toukley Library livestream
Umina Beach Library livestream
Robbie Arnott, Yann Martel and Tasma Walton: Bringing the Past to Live
4-4.55pm
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.
Gosford Regional Library livestream
David Szalay: Flesh
6-6.55pm
Hear 2025 Booker Prize winner David Szalay trace the evolution of his singular, propulsive novel 'Flesh' and the slowly unravelling life of its protagonist. With Michelle de Kretser.
Gosford Regional Library livestream
Friday 22 May
Amitav Ghosh and Luke Kemp: Big Histories
10-10.55am
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.
Gosford Regional Library livestream
Toukley Library livestream
Umina Beach Library livestream
Susan Choi: Flashlight
12-12.55pm
The new novel from Susan Choi, multi-award-winning writer including the National Book Award and a Lambda Literary Award, is a sweeping, international family drama that was shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize. 'Flashlight', described by The Guardian as a return to the great American novel of the 20th century, beguiled readers for its examination of absence and silence in a small family rocked by the assumed death of Louisa’s father.
Gosford Regional Library livestream
Toukley Library livestream
Umina Beach Library livestream
Trent Dalton: Gravity Let Me Go
2-2.55pm
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.
Gosford Regional Library livestream
Toukley Library livestream
Umina Beach Library livestream
Mick Herron and Suzie Miller: Great Adaptations
4-4.55pm
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.
Gosford Regional Library livestream
Bookings essential.
Book online from this page using the links above, ask in any library branch, or phone:
Gosford Regional Library 4304 7500
Toukley Library 4350 1540
Umina Beach Library 4304 7333.