Don't be afraid your life will end; be afraid that it will never begin.
-Grace Hansen
From world-leading authors to emerging young talent, these writers entertain and educate, delighting our minds and enriching our lives. Whether it's pulp fiction or highbrow literary masterpiece each author comes with a 20% discount. Dymocks Dragon: Celebrating Reading and Writing
The Sydney Writers' Festival: 23-29 May Spread the Word: One Week of Swimming Words
One of Sydney's key cultural events, the 2005 Sydney Writers' Festival, is around the corner (23 to 29 May 2005). Sydney has a rich literary tradition and this is reflected on the Harbour every May. This festival highlight the diversity and excellence of both Antipodean and international writers.This year the festival somehow managed to stich up more international drawcards from all four corners of the globe than ever before, making this year’s festival a truly international event even Kate’s sister Judith Curr is invading Sydney. Judith first question at the editorial meeting is How will we get the word out? She sure knows how to force publishers to focus on the reality of the market. The tradition and the muscle of Simon & Schuster has given a birth to a few colourful trials and tribulations which have provided a surprising but useful opportunity for booksellers Down Under. Judith was a member of the original literary heavyweight team that founded Transworld Pty in 1981, the Australian subsidiary of Bantam Doubleday Dell, and was initially responsible for publicity and marketing. Throughout her career, she resisted the temptation to enter politics and now Australia has a voice in one of the publishing powerhouses in New York.
Thumbs up to the impressive official program which was distributed on April 16 inside the Spectrum magazine of the Sydney Morning Herald and on the link below has all the events listed in a chronological order. You can even use a search facility.
How they manage it year after year is a mystery, but over 200 world-leading literary, social and political writers as well as distinctive new talents from home and abroad will engage with an estimated 50,000 visitors at more than 240 events stretching from the heart of Sydney to the Blue Mountains. There is something for everyone as Alan Hollinghurst (UK), winner of the 2004 prize will be among the speakers. The remarkably talented Michael Winter (Canada) will be on our shores as well as Nancy Pearl (USA), the celebrity librarian extraordinaire, who will recommend reading for every mood, moment and reason. Nancy is a legend!
Why not become a member of our much-valued group of Friends and take advantage of some of these privileges?
It is said that in bigger cities like Sydney, there are a lot of options, which nobody takes advantage of. In smaller cities like Adelaide and Brissie, there are limited options, which people take advantage of.
“The story of SWF has become a kind of natural resource — not only for writers but also for filmmakers, musicians and artists of all kinds. The story about bookworms under the spell of words has been casting its own spell on readers for eight years.
Come hell or high water bookworms revel in the joys of the written word: Sydney Theatre 22 Hickson Rd Walsh Bay
• Another Chapter Opens ‘stopping people being scared of literature:’ SWF Book Lust Forever! [How to find stuff - by date - by category - by writer - by search: Who and What is on Where and When ; Writers of fiction, nonfiction, screenplays and poetry Liquid Lunches ]
• · Caro Llewellyn: Big Names at the Festival ; Sydney Talks All The Time
• · · Are Writers' Festivals a Waste of Time? Bruce Elder, "agrees", and Susan
Wyndham, "disagrees" ; The Rise of Literary Festivals We are who we are because of our stories: Making Conversation
• · · · Listen to colourful stories while staring at autumn leaves floating in the Sydney harbour. The challenge for writers' festivals today is to give audiences liberal helpings of real, gritty substance Authors with attitude ; Oh My God, I’m A Real Writer! An Interview with Kirsty Brooks By Kate Cuthbert Word Smitten
• · · · · Now I dare that bookseller to rephrase her story but make it about flower people ;-D A Bookseller's Perspective ; Literary Bloggers hope to stoke interest in overlooked books ; 101 Best Web Sites
• · · · · · You can't judge a book by its cover, but librarian Nancy Pearl thinks the first line can tell you a lot. Pearl shares some of her favorite literary opening Famous First Words ; Sydney PEN, one of 133 PEN centres worldwide, conducts campaigns and holds events supporting literature, fostering international understanding and defending freedom of expression Katherine Thomson: Sydney PEN Centre