The Sydney Writers’ Festival’s much-loved Live & Local program is returning in 2026, connecting more readers across Australia than ever before. With more than 90 partner organisations — including 21 new participants — and 152 venues nationwide, the program will stream a curated selection of headline Festival events from Thursday May 21 to Sunday May 24.
From the South Coast of New South Wales to the Kimberley in Western Australia, audiences will be able to experience world-renowned authors and thought-provoking discussions broadcast directly into their local communities.
Festival Artistic Director Ann Mossop said the initiative continues to play a vital role in extending the Festival’s reach beyond Sydney.
“Live & Local is central to how the Festival reaches audiences beyond Sydney, opening up our headline conversations to communities across the country,” Mossop said. “Each year, the program connects readers in regional and remote Australia with some of the most sought-after events in our program, delivered in their local venues. It’s about ensuring that wherever you are, you can be part of the ideas, stories and discussions that define Sydney Writers’ Festival.”
International and Australian Literary Stars
The 2026 Live & Local lineup features a stellar mix of international and Australian authors. Among the global headliners are Slow Horses creator Mick Herron, discussing the latest instalment of his acclaimed espionage series; 2025 Booker Prize–shortlisted novelist Susan Choi, author of Flashlight; and children’s publishing sensation Dav Pilkey, creator of Captain Underpants and Dog Man.
They will be joined by bestselling authors Florence Knapp and Lily King, whose recent works have dominated literary conversations, and Life of Pi author Yann Martel, who will discuss his new novel Son of Nobody.
Australian favourites include Boy Swallows Universe author Trent Dalton, presenting his latest novel Gravity Let Me Go; journalist and author Antoinette Lattouf, exploring women redefining leadership in Women Who Win; and Tasmanian novelist Robbie Arnott, celebrated for his distinctive literary voice.
Highlights from the 2026 Program
Audiences across the country can look forward to a diverse range of events streamed live from Sydney.
Great Adaptations (May 22) offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Mick Herron and playwright Suzie Miller bring their award-winning stories to life across page, stage and screen. Big Histories (May 22) sees Amitav Ghosh and Luke Kemp, in conversation with Clare Wright, re-examining the grand narratives that shape the modern world.
Fantasy fans will be treated to Fantastical Worlds (May 23), featuring R.F. Kuang, Lev Grossman and Garth Nix in conversation with Carody Culver. Meanwhile, The Future of Truth (May 24) tackles misinformation, AI and global transparency with Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, Barbara Demick, A.C. Grayling, Toby Walsh and host Natasha Mitchell.
Bringing Books to Readers Everywhere
Live & Local 2026 is presented by Sydney Writers’ Festival and supported by Libby, the library reading app. Titles by featured authors will be available to borrow through a dedicated SWF Live & Local carousel in the Libby app, giving readers instant access to the works discussed at the Festival.
For full program details and participating venues, visit swf.org.au. To explore featured books, visit libbyapp.com.
