Sydney Writers' Festival (SWF) When? 16-22 May, 2011 Where? Various venues across Walsh Bay and Sydney’s CBD
'Words to Live By'
SWF is an annual celebration of the written word. It is recognised as one of the world’s finest literary events 
and is the third largest festival of its kind in the world.
In 2011, the Festival plays host to nearly 300 local and international writers in some 300 events.
Guests include the 2010 Man Booker Prize winner Howard Jacobson Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Hours and By Nightfall, Michael Cunningham; the acclaimed David Mitchell (Cloud Atlas and The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet) and Aminatta Forna (The Memory of Love), as well as internationally renowned Australians Peter Robb, Kim Scott, Markus Zusak, Sonya Hartnett and John Tranter.
When? 16-22 May, 2011 Where? Various venues across Walsh Bay, Sydney’s CBD. Western Sydney, Regional NSW
What? SWF is an annual celebration of the written word. It is recognised as one of the world’s finest literary events and is the third largest festival of its kind in the world.
In 2011, the Festival plays host to nearly 300 local and international writers in some 300 events. A 100,000 plus crowd is likely this year.
Who in 2011? The list of writers apearing is huge, so best check out the comprehensive, well organised, very busy and only slightly bewildering official website. Best have a pot of tea and sandwiches and some motion sickness tablets on stand-by to cope with all the moving parts.
Where?SWF takes place at various venues across Walsh Bay and Sydney’s CBD, Sydney’s western suburbs and regional NSW. Features a diverse mix of events, over 60% of which are free, including panel discussions, one-on-one interviews, talks, workshops, readings, performances, literary lunches, film screenings, events for younger readers and exhibitions. Welcomes anyone with an interest in writing, reading and literature.
How much? TBA
Festival Website: Sydney Writers Festival
Previous Festivals: Debra Adelaide (Australia); Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria/US); Monica Ali (Bangladesh/UK); M.T. Anderson (US); Stefan Aust,(Germany); Tash Aw (Malaysia/UK); Marcus Chown ; George Friedman(USA), Kirsty Gunn, (NZ/UK); Tristan Bancks; Morris Gleitzman, Mohammed Hanif, (Pakistan); Mohammed Hanif, (Pakistan); Jeanette Winterson, Don Watson, Helen Garner, Hermoine Lee, James Reston Jr., Kate Jennings, Simon Sebag Montefiore, Junot Diaz, Michelle de Kretser, Anne Enright, Bob Carr, George Negus, Sadanand Dhume, Lucio Galleto,Colm Tóibín, Lionel Shriver, Yiyun Li, Hanan Al-Shaykh, Su Tong, Nada Awar Jarrar, Rupert Thomson, Willy Vlautin and David Vann, in addition to events with acclaimed writers Joe Meno and Dubravka Ugresic. These talented writers will be seen next to a gifted roll call of Australian authors including Alex Miller, Peter Goldsworthy, Cate Kennedy, Les Murray, Robert Adamson, Robert Gray and Peter Carey in his first ever SWF appearance.
Who appeared in 2010? Colm Tóibín, Lionel Shriver, Yiyun Li, Hanan Al-Shaykh, Su Tong, Nada Awar Jarrar, Rupert Thomson, Willy Vlautin and David Vann, in addition to events with acclaimed writers Joe Meno and Dubravka Ugresic. These talented writers will be seen next to a gifted roll call of Australian authors including Alex Miller, Peter Goldsworthy, Cate Kennedy, Les Murray, Robert Adamson, Robert Gray and Peter Carey in his first ever SWF appearance. More details
Australian Authors Biographies | International Authors Biographies
Where?SWF takes place at various venues across Walsh Bay and Sydney’s CBD, Sydney’s western suburbs and regional NSW. Features a diverse mix of events, over 60% of which are free, including panel discussions, one-on-one interviews, talks, workshops, readings, performances, literary lunches, film screenings, events for younger readers and exhibitions. Welcomes anyone with an interest in writing, reading and literature.
How much? Check site
Festival Website: Sydney Writers Festival
Previous Festivals: Debra Adelaide (Australia); Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria/US); Monica Ali (Bangladesh/UK); M.T. Anderson (US); Stefan Aust,(Germany); Tash Aw (Malaysia/UK); Marcus Chown ; George Friedman(USA), Kirsty Gunn, (NZ/UK); Tristan Bancks; Morris Gleitzman, Mohammed Hanif, (Pakistan); Mohammed Hanif, (Pakistan); Jeanette Winterson, Don Watson, Helen Garner, Hermoine Lee, James Reston Jr., Kate Jennings, Simon Sebag Montefiore, Junot Diaz, Michelle de Kretser, Anne Enright, Bob Carr, George Negus, Sadanand Dhume, Lucio Galleto
