THE Sydney Writers’ Festival Live & Local program is coming to Frankston Library this May, livestreaming author talks and panel discussions for free as part of a national program connecting 152 venues across every state and territory.
From Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 May, sessions featuring international and Australian writers will be screened at the library, marking Frankston City Libraries’ first year as a Live & Local partner.
Sydney Writers’ Festival Artistic Director Ann Mossop said the festival put four days of programming – featuring both international and Australian authors – on its main stage and made it available to libraries to screen for their audiences.
“It’s about people coming together in their local area to share that experience,” Mossop said. “It really strikes up the conversations that are sort of the lifeblood of the festival experience.”
Mossop said the Sunday program was the festival’s family day, with Dav Pilkey drawing his characters live in Power Up with Dav Pilkey.
“Parents with kids are such strong users of libraries,” she said.
Frankston Library Coordinator Engagement and Innovation Chrissie Bonsor said staff had selected sessions tied to books and authors they were personally connected to.
“Many of the sessions we chose are anchored in books and authors with whom our team already has meaningful connections,” Bonsor said.
“When staff are excited about a writer or a work, that enthusiasm is contagious. Ultimately, we selected sessions we believed would reflect the depth, diversity and quiet joy of reading, while inviting our community to experience the buzz of Sydney Writers’ Festival right here in Frankston.”
Bonsor said Florence Knapp’s novel The Names had been featured in the library’s social media chit-chat series, sparking engagement and inspiring patrons to borrow the book. She said David Szalay’s Booker Prize-winning novel Flesh was another staff favourite and a natural choice to share more widely.
The session Bonsor was most looking forward to was Trent Dalton in conversation with Cassie McCullagh, following the release of Dalton’s latest novel Gravity Let Me Go.
“His writing has long been admired across our libraries, and this feels like a particularly special moment to share,” Bonsor said.
She said the session was a natural extension of the library’s involvement in last year’s ABC Radio National Best Books of 2025 campaign, in which Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe took the top spot.
Bonsor said programming had been chosen with a range of ages and interests in mind.
“We’re delighted to be showcasing Dav Pilkey for our youngest readers, and Stephanie Alexander for the foodies,” Bonsor said.
She said the library would offer a welcoming environment for screenings.
“We’ll provide comfortable chairs, a cosy environment inviting conversation, and some refreshments. Of course, we’ll have as many titles by the featured writers as possible on hand available to borrow too,” Bonsor said.
Live & Local sessions are free to attend but bookings are essential as spaces are limited. Visit www.library.frankston.vic.gov.au for more information.
First published in the Frankston Times – 12 May 2026