These are the 10 events not to miss at Sydney Writers’ Festival

If you’re gearing up for winter, what better place for a bit of intellectual warmth than the Sydney Writers’ Festival? This year, it is offering a smorgasbord of big-name international guests along with Australia’s best and brightest authors – all appearing under artistic director Ann Mossop’s festival theme: “take me away.” Several sessions are already sold out, but here are 10 events that could just take you away.

First Fictions
Shifting genres is not always easy. Translator and memoirist Jennifer Croft and journalists Bri Lee and Louise Milligan have all recently turned to fiction. Here, they discuss their books with fellow journalist and novelist Matthew Condon.
Carriageworks, May 23, 1pm.

Ann Patchett on Ordinary Joys
The ever-popular and acclaimed American novelist and bookseller Ann Patchett discusses her latest novel, Tom Lake, with her friend and fellow bestseller, Meg Mason.
Sydney Town Hall, May 23, 6pm.

Ann Patchett will discuss her work with Meg Mason.

SMH Best Young Novelists
Once again, the Herald spotlights three young novelists whose talent suggests the brightest of futures for their literary careers. Join Spectrum editor Melanie Kembrey as she introduces them and their work.
Carriageworks, May 24, 3pm

Colonial Truths
Melissa Lucashenko and David Marr’s recent books deal with the frontier wars in fiction and history, respectively. With Matthew Condon, they unwrap what they know and how they feel.
Carriageworks, May 24, 3pm.

Melissa Lucashenko’s latest novel deals with the frontier wars.Credit: Chris Hopkins

Crime Lords
If you’re a fan of crime fiction, then this session featuring American giant of the genre Michael Connelly, creator of Harry Bosch, and local superstars Michael Robotham and Chris Hammer is a must. And there’s the bonus of Benjamin Stevenson asking the questions.
Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, May 24, 8pm

Crime fiction author Michael Connelly is one of the international names featured in the program. Credit: Kat Westerman

More Than Memoir
Jeanne Ryckmans, Rachelle Unreich and Nova Weetman tell Caroline Baum about how they came to write their recent memoirs and the issues they encountered and overcame along the way.
Carriageworks, May 25, 1pm

Katy Hessel: The Story of Art Without Men
Writer, podcaster and Instagrammer Hessel rejigged Ernst Gombrich’s classic title and came up with an invigorating and much-needed reassessment of the role of women in art history. Hear all about it with Beatrice Gralton.
Carriageworks, May 25, 3pm

The Drowning
We know they’re friends, and we know they have frequently acted together. In last year’s hit festival session, Bryan Brown interviewed Sam Neill about his memoir. Flip the roles, and now Neill is interviewing Brown about his new crime novel, The Drowning.
City Recital Hall, May 25, 5.30pm

Sam Neill will interview his mate, Bryan Brown.Credit: Jeff Vespa/WireImage

Survival, Sustenance and Stories
First Nations writers Lahrissa Behrendt, Tony Birch, Narelda Jacobs and Amy Thunig discuss the resilience required to meet the challenge of the push for social change.
Carriageworks, May 26, 1.30pm

Closing Address
Philosopher Kate Manne has written extensively about male privilege. In a timely address to wind up the festival, she considers the future of misogyny.
Carriageworks, May 26, 5.30pm

The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from books editor Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.