Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more. Subscribe to our channel for new releases.
After being crowned the number one book of the 21st century by ABC Radio National, Australian literary sensation Trent Dalton’s newest book mixes gruesome true crime with a personal exploration of love and marriage. Noah Cork had the scoop of his journalistic career hand-delivered to his mailbox. But his decision to pursue the lead of a cold-blooded killer while the case is still under investigation invites more chaos and destruction into his life than he anticipated. In Gravity Let Me Go, Trent returns to age-old themes of love and family in this story of ambition, truth and deception. Listen in as Trent discusses his latest hit novel with Cassie McCullagh. This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:Instagram: @sydwritersfestFacebook: @SydWritersFestTikTok: @sydwritersfestSee omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
9 Sept 2026
Grand Ambition: Paul Keating and James Curran in Conversation
There used to be a time when political leaders didn’t limit themselves to an election cycle.In his latest book, Grand Ambition, international affairs expert and historian James Curran draws on never-before-seen archival documents and extensive interviews to present former prime minister Paul Keating’s dynamic, compelling and contested vision for Australia’s role on the world stage.Listen in as Curran and Keating reflect on the bold politics of the past and ask how we should approach questions of independence, security and identity in these turbulent and unpredictable times.Hear Paul Keating and James Curran for a fascinating in-depth analysis of Australia’s national identity and its place in the world. This episode was recorded live at a Sydney Writers' Festival event at City Recital Hall in September 2026. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:Instagram: @sydwritersfestFacebook: @SydWritersFestTikTok: @sydwritersfestSee omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
3 Sept 2026
Tayari Jones: Kin
Two motherless girls begin their lives in Honeysuckle, Louisiana, but they take paths that are worlds apart. Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage, winner of the 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction, has written another unforgettable story. Her new novel, Kin, centres a complex relationship between childhood best friends, showing how the bonds between mothers, daughters and friends are tested by affluence and inequality, love and desire and a wide world of adventure. Hear Tayari talking with Miles Franklin Literary Award winner Shankari Chandran about her rich and emotional new work. This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media: Instagram: @sydwritersfestFacebook: @SydWritersFestTikTok: @sydwritersfestSee omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
Who has been a guest on Sydney Writers' Festival
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Anna Funder
Clare Wright
Thomas Mayo
Charlotte Wood
Colm Tóibín
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
386,964
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
33 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 87 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
82
Social presence
97
YouTube
86
Engagement
96
Pitching Sydney Writers' Festival
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting pitches.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
