7–9 AUGUST 2015
7–9 AUGUST 2015
byronbaywritersfestival.com byronbaywritersfestival.com
B Y R O N B AY
W R I T E R S F E S T I VA L Join in the sheer delight of a writers festival Have you always wanted to attend a writers’ festival but never given yourself the time? Well, don’t deprive yourself the sheer delight and inspiration any longer. Please join us at 2015 Byron Bay Writers Festival. BBWF is so much more than writers reading excerpts. Each day dishes out big ideas, debate and knowledge. About history and politics, music and surfing, social trends and climate change. BBWF is all about creativity, connectivity, nurture, nature and culture – and fun! My greatest thrill after nearly 20 years of involvement in BBWF is to meet first time attendees in the coffee queue, waxing lyrical about a session they have just enjoyed or a writer they have just met.
fessional team led by Festival Director, Edwina Johnson. Right now we are on track for our biggest year ever and ticket sales are the strongest in our history. If you haven’t already bought a ticket, please don’t wait; we’re expecting a total asell-out. Finally, to this community, thank you for embracing the Festival and for celebrating the literary talents of those whose words, thoughts, stories and passions enrich our lives. Many writers tell Festival founder and chair Chris Hanley, left, and festival director Edwina Johnson. Photo Jeff Dawson us this is their favourite Festival because of the energy and enthusiasm that perWhat sets our Festival apart is the Community events like ours only vades every marquee. Let’s come together to share stories, ability to move freely between mar- happen because of this region’s passion inspirations and another glorious winter quees, sampling as many sessions as you and commitment to volunteerism. like each day. You can spend three days I would like to thank our entire Fes- weekend at Byron Bay Writers Festival. drifting from session to session listening tival community made up of more than CHRIS HANLEY, FOUNDER AND CHAIR, to intimate conversations between writ- 200 volunteers, 65 sponsor partners and BYRON BAY WRITERS FESTIVAL ers and thinkers from all over the world. our own fabulous and committed pro-
Welcome to Australia’s largest regional literary event It’s Festival time! More than 140 writers and thinkers are gathering in Byron Bay this week for Australia’s largest regional literary event. Together, they will deliver a stimulating program comprising 160 sessions and events over a jam-packed week. Guest politicians, novelists, historians, journalists, biographers, poets, memoirists, comedians and songwriters will challenge, entertain and share their inspirations and insights. The Festival offers you a chance to catch up with some of your favourite writers and discover new voices in our inaugural one-on-one sessions ‘30 Minutes with...’ including Stella Prize winner Emily Bitto, Miles Franklin winner Sofie Laguna, Man Asian Literary Prize winner Miguel Syjuco, New York Times bestseller Liane Moriarty, celebrated artist Joshua Yeldham, plus master of psy-
chological thrillers Michael Robotham and Noah Rosenberg of Narratively, a platform for untold stories. In an Australian exclusive, BBWF is proud to present Nigerian writer Chigozie Obioma whose startling debut novel The Fishermen has received plaudits from across the literary world and has been long-listed for The Booker Prize. Mexican-based American Jennifer Clement whose compelling novel Prayers for the Stolen was shortlisted for this year’s PEN Faulkner Award for Fiction will also debut. Jennifer Byrne from ABC TV The Book Club will join us to interview both of these international writers. And did you know that British-Pakistani political commentator Tariq Ali was the inspiration behind The Rolling Stones Street Fighting Man? We are delighted to be welcoming him to the Festival this year.
BBWF Board member Russell Eldridge will launch his novel Harry Mac at the Festival. Set against a fascinating period of South African politics, it is a coming-of-age story full of heart, soul and hope. Beloved Byron personality, journalist and Holocaust survivor, Vera Wasowski will also launch her extraordinary biography. Do come and
celebrate these two much-loved local personalities. We invite you to join us at the Festival to examine the world as it is and imagine how it might be – especially here in the Northern Rivers. EDWINA JOHNSON, FESTIVAL DIRECTOR BYRON BAY WRITERS FESTIVAL
Inspiration for your prose
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The Byron Shire Echo August 5, 2015 21