Simon Winchester special event cancelled

Due to health reasons, Simon Winchester has cancelled his upcoming Australian tour. All ticket holders will receive a refund.

Internationally acclaimed British author Simon Winchester will speak about his fascinating new book, The Breath of the Gods: The History and Future of the Wind, at a special Newcastle Writers Festival evening event on February 26.

Best known for global bestsellers including The Map that Changed the World and Krakatoa, Winchester turns his attention to an elemental force that governs weather, drives history and increasingly defines humanity’s future: wind.

Winchester reveals how the invisible movement of air has shaped civilisation — from ancient trade routes and naval power to modern aviation, energy and warfare. Sweeping in scope and deeply perceptive, the book traces humanity’s long efforts to understand, harness and transform the world’s atmosphere, while confronting the urgent realities of a rapidly changing climate.

Speaking with Newcastle Writers Festival Director Rosemarie Milsom, Winchester will explore the ideas behind the book, his decades-long career as a storyteller of science and history, and the role of writers in helping audiences understand complex global issues.

The event is supported by Adelaide Writers Week and The University of Newcastle. It is a lead-up event to the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival, which will be held from 27 to 29 March.

Event details:

The Breath of the Gods: An Evening with Simon Winchester

February 26 2026

7.30pm to 8.30pm

University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music

Tickets $35/under-25s $26.25