Sydney Writers' Festival 2007:

GILLIAN NICHOLSON - THIS WAY TO THE SEA

Event 77 - Thursday 31 May - 1-2pm - Bangarra Mezzanine

Having long thought of making a new life away from the city, Gillian Nicholson and her husband impulsively bought a 20-acre banana farm. Their knowledge of banana farming? Zero. Their irrational joy and confidence that things would work out? Total. She shares with Sandra Yates her funny and moving account of their journey from being city slickers to finding contentment on their piece of paradise.

Event 106 - Thursday 31 May - 5.30-6.30pm - Sydney Dance Company Studio 1

First timers Sophie Gee, Sarah Hopkins and Gillian Nicholson discuss their journey to becoming a writer.

EILEEN NASEBY - URSULA

Event 99 - Thursday 31 May - 4-5pm - Sydney Theatre - Richard Wherrett Studio

Eileen Naseby's mother pampered childhood in Germany ended abruptly in flight from the coming Nazi terror. Suzanne Leal's Border Street depicts a young Australian woman who becomes intrigued by her elderly neighbour and his role during the Nazi-occupation of Czechoslovakia. They discuss using real people's lives to create an otherwise fictional world and what it means to respect the emotional and historical truths of another's story. Cost $10/$8. Bookings 9250 1988.

Event 158 - Friday 1 June - 2.30-4pm - Sydney Dance Company Studio 2/3

Discussing the research behind their books are Alon Hilu, Eileen Naseby, Kate Grenville and Robert Kenny.

JARED INGERSOLL - SHARING PLATES

Event 113 - Thursday 31 May - 6.30-10pm - Danks Street Depot

Sharing Plates is all about celebrating the pleasures of the table: it is about food, it is about drink, and, most importantly, it is about coming together. Embracing the ethos of slow cooking, Jared Ingersoll’s food is inspired by the best fresh produce for each season, the ritual of preparing it and sharing the results at communal tables. Sponsored by Murdoch Books. Cost $75. Bookings 9250 1988.