So it’s great news that Sydney Writers’ Festival has announced the appointment of Tamara Zimet as its new Artistic Director. Since joining Edinburgh International Book Festival in 2020, Zimet has held increasingly senior programming roles, culminating in her appointment as Director of Programming in 2024.
Tamara Zimet said returning to Sydney Writers’ Festival as Artistic Director is both a professional and personal homecoming.
“Sydney Writers’ Festival is where I began my career in literary programming a decade ago, so to return to Australia as the Artistic Director is an enormous honour.
“SWF plays such a unique role in Australian cultural life—bringing the world’s leading writers and ideas to Sydney, celebrating extraordinary Australian writing, and creating a place where readers and writers come together with curiosity, generosity and a real sense of community.
“Even from afar, I have been so delighted to see the festival grow under Brooke Webb, Ann Mossop and the team, and have been so encouraged by its creativity and culture.
“After six incredible years in Edinburgh, I’m thrilled to be coming home to SWF with everything I have learned and the relationships I have developed. I’m so looking forward to connecting with readers, writers, publishers and partners in Sydney and beyond to build on the Festival’s extraordinary foundations, and to work with the team to shape its next exciting chapter.”
During her six years in Edinburgh, Zimet has played a key role in shaping the Festival’s artistic direction, creating ambitious programs, growing audiences and building an extensive international network of writers, publishers, agents and cultural partners.
Sydney Writers’ Festival CEO Brooke Webb said Zimet’s appointment comes at an exciting moment for the organisation.
“There is something incredibly special about welcoming Tamara home to Sydney Writers’ Festival ten years after she began her programming career here.
“She left SWF as an enormously talented programmer and returns with six years at one of the world’s great literary festivals, strong editorial judgement and a clear sense of what a contemporary writers’ festival can be. She also brings a deep understanding of SWF, our audiences and the Australian literary community.
“Tamara joins SWF at an exciting point in our evolution. We have an ambitious annual Festival, a growing year-round program and audiences with a real appetite for great books and writers, big ideas, complexity, joy and genuine exchange.
“SWF has become a leading voice in the global literary conversation, bringing some of the world’s most important writers and ideas to Sydney while proudly championing Australian voices. Ann Mossop has played an important role in that success, and Tamara’s international perspective, experience and relationships make her particularly well placed to build on what has been achieved.
“Tamara is an exceptional appointment to lead SWF’s artistic vision into its next chapter, and I am absolutely delighted to welcome her home.”
Sydney Writers’ Festival Chair Robert Watkinssaid Zimet was the outstanding candidate following an extensive international search.
“The strength of Tamara’s artistic vision, leadership and depth of experience ably distinguished her amongst a pool of exceptional candidates from Australia and overseas. The Board is delighted to welcome Tamara back to Sydney Writers’ Festival and has great confidence in the leadership of Brooke and Tamara as they build on the Festival’s success and shape its future.”
Zimet has described writers’ festivals as transforming the solitary experience of reading into “acts of communal delight and purpose” and sees SWF as playing a vital civic and cultural role—creating a place for audiences to encounter a plurality of books, ideas, perspectives, knowledge and experiences.
Her appointment comes as Sydney Writers’ Festival continues to expand its year-round activity alongside its annual May Festival, including its partnership with the State Library of NSW.
Zimet will commence as Artistic Director of Sydney Writers’ Festival in November 2026.
