Sydney Writers' Festival in Parramatta
Saturday 23 May
The greatest celebration of writers, readers and thinkers is coming to Parramatta.
Explore the exciting program of local and international authors appearing in Parramatta, join the conversation and let the Sydney Writers’ Festival take you away!
What Makes a Writer
Writers in different stages of their careers come together to reflect on their work and writing paths.
Featuring iconic Australian writer and poet Maxine Beneba Clarke (beautiful changelings), the outgoing Parramatta Laureate in Literature Yumna Kassab (The Theory of Everything) and the new Laureate, award-winning essayist and fiction writer Eda Gunaydin (Root and Branch). This will be an illuminating and insightful conversation about the opportunities available and barriers facing writers throughout a lifelong career.
Omar Musa: Fierceland
How do you mourn your father when you know his secrets?
A trailblazing journey across the globe, the new novel from multi-disciplinary artist and writer Omar Musa, winner of the 2026 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Fiction, Fierceland weaves the past and the present into an emotionally powerful family saga that plays out at a mythical scale.
How to Grow a Poem Workshop with Bankstown Poetry Slam
Get hands-on experience and writing insights from a slam poetry heavyweight.
Artistic Director of Bankstown Poetry Slam and author of An Army of Light Bilal Hafda guides you through the tips and tricks of the writing process to help you take your work from the seed of an idea into a fully grown and realised spoken-word poem, ready to be shared on stage.
Nikita Gill: Hekate
A propulsive, electrifying and enraging retelling in verse of the life of Greek goddess Hekate, child of war turned all-powerful goddess of witchcraft and necromancy.
In this magical journey of survival and discovery, Nikita Gill continues her work of centring women from Greek and Hindu mythology as well as folklore. As a poet, playwright, illustrator and actor, Nikita weaves together language, history and imagery in her deeply vivid stories.
Bankstown Poetry Slam
Experience the cultural force of Bankstown Poetry Slam as former champions of their National Youth Poetry Slam take to the stage, in a special night of storytelling and transformation in Parramatta.
Poets can sign up at the door to go into the draw to perform at the slam. Five performer spots will be saved for those participating in the How to Grow a Poem Workshop, for the chance to share what they have created.
