BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival 2026
Description
BAD is celebrating our tenth anniversary with the best in Australian crime writing. We’re back at the State Library of NSW offering our mix of debut and established authors in crime fiction, and true crime. Plus writing workshops, manuscript feedback and pitching sessions to publishers and agents.
It wouldn’t be BAD without our crime walks and the Danger Awards Ceremony where four awards will be presented: Best Debut Fiction, Best True Crime, Best Crime Non-Fiction and the People’s Choice Award. There is also a special event at the Awards night to commemorate the 50th year of Agatha Christie’s death and her 11-day disappearance.
We hope to see you there!
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL FESTIVAL PROGRAM
OUR GIFT TO YOU: DAY-PASS DISCOUNTS
As a gift for those especially keen on crime, we are offering day-pass discounts when four panel sessions on the same day are booked together. Simply add to your cart all four STANDARD or all four CONCESSION tickets for panels on the same day - Friday or Saturday - and receive $15 automatically discounted from your cart. Note that this does not apply if you book the same panel twice or if you book four panels across different days. This only applies to panels and excludes the Danger Awards, crime walks and feedback sessions.
LIVESTREAM TICKETS
Zoom links will be distributed to Livestream ticket holders during the week of the festival. Only the panel sessions are Zoom livestreamed, not workshops, pitch sessions or the Danger Awards.
BOOKING AND VENUE INFORMATION
Please choose your tickets carefully and check the dates and times, as we do not offer refunds. If you can no longer attend sessions to which you purchased tickets, we may be able to swap your tickets to different sessions (if they are not sold out) or change the name on your order if you would like to gift your tickets to a friend.
It is important to note that on Friday, workshops, manuscript assessments and panels run within the same time frame, so ensure you double check that nothing you book clashes with another before proceeding.
VENUES
All our events (except crime walks) are held at the State Library of NSW in the following rooms:
All panels are in the Dixson Room in the Mitchell Building (entrance via Shakespeare Place)
The Gallery Room is in the Mitchell Building (entrance via Shakespeare Place)
The Michael Crouch Room is on the first floor, Mitchell Building (entrance via Shakespeare Place)
The Mitchell Librarian’s Room is on the ground floor, Mitchell Building (entrance via Shakespeare Place)
Please read the venue name of each ticket carefully when booking your tickets. NOTE that there is a lift next to the steps into the Mitchell Building.
If you have any questions about the festival or problems with the booking process, please email us at media@badsydney.com
Program
- 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Crime Walk - A Descent into Elizabeth Street’s Sinful Past in the Flâneur’s Footsteps
- 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Debutantes Ball: First-Time Crime Authors in the Spotlight
- 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Manuscript Feedback with Ashley Kalagian Blunt
- 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Plots With Pride: Queering the Past and Present in Crime Fiction
- 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Manuscript Feedback with Ashley Kalagian Blunt
- 1:15 pm - 1:50 pm
BAD Book Launch with Linda Atkins
- 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Workshop - Take Your Crime Novel to the Next Level with Hayley Scrivenor
- 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The View from Here: Crime Fiction Under the Female Gaze
- 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Poison on the Menu: Toxic True Crimes on the Home Front
FAQs
- How do I get to the State Library of NSW?
The State Library of NSW is located at 1 Shakespeare Place, Sydney NSW 2000.
Many buses stop a short distance from the Library
The nearest Train/Metro stops are Martin Place (250m), Wynyard (450m) and St James (550m)
The nearest ferry stop is Circular Quay (700m)
The nearest parking station is at Sydney Eye Hospital, on Hospital Road or on Macquarie Street
Visit the State Library of NSW website if you'd like to plan your visit or look at their accessibility information ahead of the festival.
- Can I buy BAD Merchandise?
Yes! We will once again have our staple BAD Tote Bags and T-shirts on sale at the festival. Prices are as follows:
Tote Bag = $15
T-Shirt = $25
- Can I watch a recording if I miss the livestream?
No, not immediately. Recordings will be available to the public to watch on our YouTube channel a few weeks after the festival.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
