Willoughby City Council and Willoughby City Library are thrilled to present the inaugural Willoughby Literary Festival – a vibrant new celebration of books, ideas and creativity.
Taking place across two weekends in July at Chatswood Library, the festival will feature a stellar program of author talks, panel discussions and interactive workshops designed for readers and writers of all ages and interests, offering a unique opportunity for Willoughby residents and visitors to connect with the storytellers behind their favourite books. The festival will showcase and support both emerging and established writers and illustrators from across Sydney and beyond, helping them to share their work with a wide, engaged audience. Chatswood Library, located on the vibrant Lower North Shore, just 10km from Sydney's CBD, will serve as the festival hub – easily accessible by public transport and surrounded by the energy of one of Sydney's most dynamic neighbourhoods.
17-20 July: Conversations and Ideas The first weekend is packed with compelling talks and panel discussions featuring an exceptional group of authors. Highlights include: • Jane Caro, acclaimed author and commentator, will speak about her latest novel, Lyrebird, a gripping thriller exploring power, truth and survival. • Linda Jaivin, always sharp and entertaining, will present Bombard the Headquarters!, her riveting account of China's Cultural Revolution. • Shankari Chandran, winner of the 2023 Miles Franklin Award for Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens, will speak about her latest novel, Unfinished Business. • Tim Ayliffe, bestselling author of the John Bailey series, will share insights into his latest thriller The Wrong Man, a high-stakes murder mystery set in Sydney. • Rebecca Huntley, social researcher and author, opens up about trauma, healing and psychedelic therapy in her memoir, Sassafras: A Memoir of Love, Loss and MDMA Therapy. • Toby Walsh, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at UNSW, and one of the world's leading researchers in the field, will discuss his book The Shortest History of AI. • Amy Hutton, contemporary romance author and award-winning television producer, joins fellow panellists to share insights on romance and contemporary women's fiction.
26-27 July: Speculative Fiction and Family Events The second weekend features highlights from the endlessly imaginative world of speculative fiction, as well as workshops and talks aimed at children, young adults and their carers. These are stories that ask "what if?" and venture beyond the limits of our current reality. Highlights include: • Garth Nix, internationally acclaimed fantasy author, on the art of levelling up as a speculative fiction writer. • A range of writing workshops and a SpecFic Open Mic – 5–8 minute readings open to all budding speculative storytellers. • Plus, our first-ever online cake decorating competition with the theme: Science Fiction.
