In the Writers Who Made Us series, Festival guests highlight the writers who have influenced their writing life and work.
Stella Prize–shortlisted novelist Jumaana Abdu (Translations) speaks to the writer, scholar and critic Edward Said. Miles Franklin Literary Award and ALS Gold Medal–shortlisted writer Fiona Kelly McGregor (Iris, The Trap) reflects on two writers who have shaped her writing career, poet Alice Oswald and Palestinian author Isabella Hammad. Writer and Queensland Literary Award winner Steve MinOn (First Name Second Name) explores the influence of Michael Mohammed Ahmad on his work.
Hear from Jumaana, Fiona and Steve as they reflect on writers and their work in this free talk series.
Location
Carriageworks, Bay 24
245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh, NSW, 2015
Winner, 2025 SMH Best Young Australian Novelists
Shortlisted, Stella Prize
Shortlisted, Readings New Australian Fiction Prize
Shortlisted, NSW Premier's Literary Awards
Shortlisted, MUD Literary Prize
Longlisted, Voss Literary Prize
'Jumaana Abdu is extraordinary and I will read everything she writes.'
HANNAH KENT
'Translations is a joy to read.'
Stella judges' report
18 Apr
2026
Bankstown, NSW
Sydney Muslim Writers Festival: Our Words, Our Worlds
Bookings Essential