Sydney Writers' Festival (SWF)
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.
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.
In 2011, the Festival played host to nearly 300 local and international writers in some 300 events. A 100,000 plus crowd attends.
When? 14-20 May, 2012 (School Days, 21-25 May, 2012)
Where? SWF takes place at various venues across Walsh Bay and Sydney’s CBD, Sydney’s western suburbs and regional NSW.
Who? 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.
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.