CANCELLED – Best of the Fest
Unfortunately, this event has been cancelled.
Beejay Silcox I Michael Williams I Roanna Gonsalves
Get yourself Festival ready with these experts’ takes on what to read, who to see and how to make the most of your Festival week.
Our favourite literary aficionados Roanna Gonsalves, Beejay Silcox and Michael Williams discuss what (and who) they’re most excited to see this year and provide insight into the program as seasoned Festival attendees.
Hear a taster of book chat from the Festival and be introduced to new names to look out for as Roanna, Beejay and Michael share what they’ve been reading from the lineup. Let the Festival buzz begin!
This event is presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney. Presented in partnership with the State Library of NSW.
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, this partnership brings together a shared vision of creativity, curiosity and thought leadership.
TICKETS & VENUE INFORMATION
Ticket Prices
All Tickets – $30
*plus booking fees
Venue Information
This event will take place live at the State Library of NSW. For all venue and visitor safety information, please visit State Library of NSW.
ACCESS
Wheelchair Access
The wheelchair and pram-friendly entrance is on Macquarie Street, opposite Hunter Street. There are lifts in the building, accessible toilets and baby change room facilities. If you require assisted entry contact the Library on 02 9273 1414 or find our more here.
Accessible Parking
For patrons with a mobility parking sticker, parking spaces at Shakespeare Place, on the corner of Macquarie Street and the Cahill Expressway, are available.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT & PARKING
The closest train stations are Martin Place (200 metres) and St James (450 metres). Ferries arrive into Circular Quay which is only a short walk away. The Sydney Explorer bus stops outside the Library on Macquarie Street, and the nearest parking station is Sydney Hospital, located on Hospital Road. For more information on transport, visit sl.nsw.gov.au/plan-your-visit or visit transportnsw.info.
CONTACT
Sydney Writers' Festival
For all event enquiries, contact the Sydney Writers' Festival on 02 9256 4200 or email ticketing@swf.org.au.
UNSW Centre for Ideas
For all other enquiries, contact the UNSW Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485 or email centreforideas@unsw.edu.au.
National Relay Service
The UNSW 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).
Beejay Silcox
Beejay Silcox is a book critic. Her work appears in high-profile publications across three continents and is renowned for its resolute (some might say, foolhardy) honesty. In addition to her literary commentary, Beejay works as a professional reader. She's an interviewer, prize judge, festival programmer, editor and educator. And she has stories to tell. Beejay eloped to Las Vegas, escaped from quicksand and once had to be rescued – unironically – from a picnic at Hanging Rock.
Michael Williams
Michael Williams is the editor of The Monthly. He was previously the Artistic Director of Sydney Writers’ Festival. He has spent the past decade at the Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas in Melbourne as its founding Head of Programming in 2009 and then as its Director from September 2011. A regular host and interviewer for literary and ideas events around Australia – including a long-standing association with Sydney Writers’ Festival – his background is in publishing and broadcasting. He has hosted two shows on ABC Radio National – Blueprint for Living (2015–2016) and Talkfest (2017–2018) – was a regular on ABC TV’s The Book Club, and remains a regular guest on ABC radio and TV. Michael has also worked as a Breakfast presenter for Melbourne’s 3RRR, as a member of the Australia Council’s Literature Board, in publishing in Australia and New York and has written extensively for The Guardian, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and elsewhere. He is currently also host of Guardian Australia’s monthly book club.
Roanna Gonsalves
Dr Roanna Gonsalves is the award-winning author of The Permanent Resident (UWAP). She is a recipient of a UNSW Vice Chancellor's Teaching Award and the Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Endeavour Award among many other honours. Roanna’s series of radio documentaries, On the tip of a billion tongues, and her radio essay Doosra: The life and times of an Indian student in Australia were commissioned and broadcast by ABC Radio National. She works as a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at UNSW, Sydney.