Pregnant with the thrill of storytelling, full of surprises, calm, jarring, momentous or direct, the first lines of a writer’s work take us to exactly where they want us to be. Whether this is at the beginning, the middle or the end of a story, a life, or an argument we are in their hands, and now have to trust them to take us on the journey. Come and meet our festival guests as they unfold their beginnings. In each event, hear from five authors as they each read five minutes of the stories, books, poetry and more that they are sharing at the Festival. Author line up to be announced shortly!
 

Thu 25 May, 12pm – 12.30pm
In the beginning…  

Thu 25 May, 2pm – 2.30pm
It was believed a whale had gone mad…  

Thu 25 May, 4pm – 4.30pm
Tell me, oh muse..  

Fri 26 May, 10am – 10.30am
Sliding doors, transformative moments: whatever you call them…  

Fri 26 May, 12pm – 12.30pm 
The circumstances of Denny Tran's death were so violent.... 

Sat 27 May, 10am – 10.30am
I want to tell you about a different kind of world...

Sun 28 May, 10am – 10.30am
Once upon a time…  

Sun 28 May, 12pm – 12.30pm 
In this special tribute to novelist and essayist Frank Moorhouse and poet Robert Adamson, fellow writers Annabel Crabb and Mark Mordue share short readings from their work. 

This event is presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney. 
 

UNSW SYDNEY X SYDNEY WRITERS' FESTIVAL

UNSW Sydney is the exclusive university sponsor and proud Premier Partner of the Sydney Writers’ Festival. Featuring UNSW academics and researchers on Sydney Writers’ Festival stages, and events at the UNSW Kensington Campus, this partnership brings together a shared vision of creativity, curiosity and thought leadership. 
 

TICKETS & VENUE INFORMATION

This event is free and will take place live at Carriageworks. For all venue and visitor safety information, please visit Sydney Writers' Festival.

ACCESS

Wheelchair Access
All Festival venues are accessible and have wheelchair and level access. To book accessible seats for events at Carriageworks, please contact the Sydney Writers' Festival Box Office on (02) 9256 4200 or email ticketing@swf.org.au.

Accessible Parking
Accessible parking is available at Carriageworks. Please call (02) 8571 9099 for Carriageworks parking information.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT & PARKING

Carriageworks is located at 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh. This is a 10-minute walk from Redfern Station, City Road bus stops and Macdonaldtown Station. Catching public transport is strongly recommended as residential parking in the area is strictly limited, and the Sydney Writers' Festival offers a shuttle bus services from Redfern Station at selected times. For more information on transport, visit swf.org.au or visit transportnsw.info,
 

CONTACT 

Sydney Writers' Festival
For all event enquiries, please call the Sydney Writers' Festival on 02 9256 4200 or email ticketing@swf.org.au.

UNSW Centre for Ideas
For all other enquiries, please call the Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485 or email 
centreforideas@unsw.edu.au. 

National Relay Service
The Centre for Ideas and Sydney Writers' Festival are happy to receive phone calls via the National Relay Service. TTY users, phone 133 677, then ask for the applicable organisations phone number (listed above). Speak and Listen users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for applicable organisations phone number (listed above). Internet relay users, visit relayservice.gov.au, then ask for applicable organisations phone number (listed above).