BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival 2025

Once again, the BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival is offering a thrilling three-day program for lovers of crime fiction, true crime and aspiring crime writers. 

BAD is back with the best in crime writing by new and bestselling authors, examining critical questions of criminality and justice.

Turn your idea into a book at Lisa Kenway’s writing workshop, learn to craft compelling historical fiction with Michael Burge, venture into the expanding genre of Young Adult fiction or discover how to keep your readers up all night with Candice Fox. Pitch to a publisher and attend our first ever manuscript feedback sessions. 

Explore the former red light district of Elizabeth Street and the notorious crime slums of The Rocks with historian Elliot Lindsay, and go on an adventure in East Sydney and Darlinghurst with Tea Ladies writer Amanda Hampson.

Don’t miss the Danger Awards ceremony, because this popular event comes with a new twist: What are the top ten crime books everyone should read?

BAD has a new venue this year while the State Library is being upgraded. The Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts is only minutes from Town Hall. Grab your BAD bag and fill it at the onsite Abbey’s Bookshop throughout the festival.