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Artwork for Sydney Writers' Festival

Sydney Writers' Festival

Sydney Writers' Festival
Democracy
Australia
United States
Australian Racism
Sydney Writers' Festival
January 6th Capitol Riot
The Seven Skins Of Esther Wilding
Storytelling
Ukraine
Dear Prudence
The Forever War
Abusive Constitutional Borrowing
Joy
Ukrainian Identity
Russian Invasion
Slate
LGBTQIA+
Misogyny
Voting Rights
Misinformation

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsSociety & CultureBooks

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Sydney Writers' Festival

Latest Episodes

Join Yumi Stynes and Artistic Director Ann Mossop as they discuss the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival program.

The pair talk about the 2026 Festival theme, Show Me The Truth, and how fiction, poetry and creative writing and bring us closer to the tru... more

‘Cancel culture’ may seem like a 21st century invention sparked by contemporary politics and stoked by social media, sometimes with deadly consequences.

However, as philosopher A.C. Grayling illustrates in Discriminations: Making Peace in the Cultur... more

Detective Inspector John Rebus first hit bookshelves in 1987 as a witty Scottish crime fighter but now the legendary detective is behind bars himself, living a literal locked-room mystery.

Midnight and Blue is Ian Rankin at his tense and thrilling ... more

In Your Favourites’ Favourites, our most loved writers introduce one of their favourite authors.

Bestselling Australian crime writer Michael Robotham speaks with British crime novelist Chris Whitaker about his sensational new thriller, All the Colo... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Amitav Ghosh
Indian writer; historian of climate and empire
Author
Episode: 2026 Program Announcement: Yumi Stynes and Ann Mossop
Jacinda Ardern
Former Prime Minister of New Zealand
Episode: 2026 Program Announcement: Yumi Stynes and Ann Mossop
Jimmy Wales
Founder of Wikipedia
Wikipedia
Episode: 2026 Program Announcement: Yumi Stynes and Ann Mossop
Roddy Doyle
Irish novelist
Irish literature
Episode: 2026 Program Announcement: Yumi Stynes and Ann Mossop
Lise Doucet
BBC chief international correspondent
BBC
Episode: 2026 Program Announcement: Yumi Stynes and Ann Mossop
Patrick Radden Keefe
Staff writer at The New Yorker; author
The New Yorker
Episode: 2026 Program Announcement: Yumi Stynes and Ann Mossop
Dav Pilkey
Author of Captain Underpants/Dog Man
Scholastic (established author)
Episode: 2026 Program Announcement: Yumi Stynes and Ann Mossop
Randa Abdel Fattah
Australian writer and journalist
Sweatshop Literacy Movement (collaborator)
Episode: 2026 Program Announcement: Yumi Stynes and Ann Mossop
Luke Kemp
Australian researcher; author of Goliath's Curse
Centre for Existential Risk, Cambridge
Episode: 2026 Program Announcement: Yumi Stynes and Ann Mossop

Host

Anne Mossop
Sydney Writers Festival Artistic Director; frequent podcast host and contributor.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 411 ratings
  • Great podcast

    We can’t get to all the Sydney Writer Events at the same time! It’s so good to enjoy the solace & stimulus of writers with this podcast 📚🌻🦋

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rylie Teal
    Australiaa year ago
  • Feminist firebrand.

    Fantastic

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    @janetBackstage
    Australiaa year ago
  • Brilliant

    Fantastic podcast and so happy to catch up on the festival for those who missed it. I just listened to Julia Gillard: it was an outstanding conversation. I can’t recommend it enough. Enjoy it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lamamandemilly
    Australia3 years ago
  • Podcast Julia Gillard

    Thanks for making this and other podcasts available for those of us who for one reason or another could not attend in person.

    What a fascinating discussion between two interesting women. Reminded me how eloquent Julia is.

    Thanks so much!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    On hanger
    Australia3 years ago
  • Outstanding podcast

    Thankyou for this wonderful podcast. Excellent presentation by Eleanor & the caliber of wonderful Bernard & Julien . Such decent professional men who have the courage of their convictions.

    🙏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🙏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rolypolyeastereggs
    Australia4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Conversations are deeply enriching and showcase major literary talent.
Guests often bring diverse perspectives on culture, feminism, and social issues.
Listeners value high-quality interviews and thoughtful, respectful discourse.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

2026 Program Announcement: Yumi Stynes and Ann Mossop
Q: How does the festival approach international guests to make them feel welcome and connected?
International writers are welcomed with curated experiences beyond talks, including private tours and time to connect with Australian writers, and are integrated into a broader community so they feel part of the festival rather than isolated performers.
2026 Program Announcement: Yumi Stynes and Ann Mossop
Q: What have you got planned this year for free events and ticketing strategy?
The festival has a robust mix, with 25% of events free to the public, alongside paid sessions; the team encourages exploring the program online swf.org.au or picking up the booklet to start small and dip into what resonates, with a plan to avoid overwhelm while still chasing favorites.
A.C. Grayling on Cancel Culture
Q: Given your audience is progressive, how should progressive intellectuals persuade conservative audiences?
Persistence in dialogue, modeling inclusive and generous behavior, and demonstrating respect for others' rights through concrete examples is vital for bridging divides and persuading conservative audiences over time.
Ian Rankin: Master of Crime
Q: How has writing Rebus changed you?
Writing Rebus has allowed me to reflect on aging, morality, and the evolution of crime, as he ages alongside me.
Ian Rankin: Master of Crime
Q: What themes do you explore with the character Rebus?
I explore themes of good and evil, the complexities of morality, and have Rebus investigate his own moral failings as he navigates the world of crime.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Sydney Writers' Festival

What is Sydney Writers' Festival about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners can expect thoughtful conversations centered on literature, culture, and ideas, often featuring prominent authors, scholars, and journalists. Episodes frequently tackle societal issues—discrimination, feminism, space and science, adaptation of novels for screen, and the ethics of public discourse—handled with informed, respectful dialogue and a festival-audience energy. A notable strength is the lineup of high-profile guests and deep dives into craft, culture, and current events, making it appealing to readers, writers, and media professionals who enjoy rigorous conversations with a humanistic lens.

Where can I find podcast stats for Sydney Writers' Festival?

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How many listeners does Sydney Writers' Festival get?

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How many subscribers and views does Sydney Writers' Festival have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Sydney Writers' Festival has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Sydney Writers' Festival?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sydney Writers' Festival:

1. The Book Show
2. The Bookshelf
3. Chat 10 Looks 3
4. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
5. Conversations

How many episodes of Sydney Writers' Festival are there?

Sydney Writers' Festival launched 11 years ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Sydney Writers' Festival?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Sydney Writers' Festival?

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What guests have appeared on Sydney Writers' Festival?

Recent guests on Sydney Writers' Festival include:

1. Amitav Ghosh
2. Jacinda Ardern
3. Jimmy Wales
4. Roddy Doyle
5. Lise Doucet
6. Patrick Radden Keefe
7. Dav Pilkey
8. Randa Abdel Fattah

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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