Your home, your life, your story.
Proud to be the founding sponsor of the Byron Writers Festival, we are committed to celebrating creativity and storytelling in all its forms.
For over 30 years, we’ve supported the arts, theatre, and youth programs that enrich our vibrant community. Our dedicated team share a passion for building a place where culture thrives. It’s our privilege to continue investing in the stories that shape our region.
This year’s program invites contemplation of a life well lived, with literature and art at its centre. It celebrates the act of creation, of writing and art making, community building, and the good, hard work of progress.
When we place literature and art at the centre, we acknowledge it not only as the ineffable thing that ignites our curiosity, but as a human right, and as the essential element that connects us in our shared humanity. It infuses all areas of life – from politics, policy, history, economics – with possibility, generosity and bravery.
You are invited to join us in the Northern Rivers and gather with writers from around the world – from Australia, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom – for three days
We respectfully acknowledge that Byron Writers Festival takes place on the traditional lands of the Arakwal Bumberbin peoples of the Bundjalung Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and acknowledge them as the original storytellers of the lands and waterways of this Country.
Please hold on to your copy of this program and help us reduce waste. A limited number of printed programs will be available at the festival.
To keep in the loop, sign up for our newsletter at byronwritersfestival.com
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of joyous and powerful storytelling, poetry, conversation and performance.
Let these bright stars take you deeper into passion and purpose, and be immersed in the art of living.
Jessica Alice Artistic Director
Friday 08 August
7.00pm - 8.00pm
A&I Hall
$45 / $40 Festival Friends
Food & Bar available
Join iconic Australian writer Helen Garner for an exploration of life on and off the page in conversation with legendary journalist Kerry O’Brien. With an oeuvre spanning fiction, ‘nearfiction’, and non-fiction, from personal diaries to courtrooms, Garner has now turned her insight, candour and wit to the footy field for her grandson’s games in The Season. Don’t miss this festival highlight to see two masters of their craft in celebration of a writing life.
Supported by The Vasudhara Fund
Saturday 09 August 5.30pm – 6.30pm
A&I Hall
$15
Food & Bar available
Did you follow the latest literary scandal? Can you tell true Dickens from AI? Do you even read the news? Play along with Guardian Australia’s signature game show as two teams of writers – led by Guardian Australia’s TikTok queen Matilda Boseley and features editor Lucy Clark, and hosted by culture editor Steph Harmon – battle it out for the ultimate prize: bragging rights.
An extremely enjoyable and deeply chaotic battle of the brains. With special guest contestants Robbie Arnott, Tigest Girma, Thomas Mayo and Michael Robotham.
Presented by The Guardian
Saturday 09 August
7.30pm – 9.00pm
A&I Hall
$30 / $25 Festival Friends
Food & Bar available
Get ready for a night of rhythm, rhyme and radical truth-telling as poetry and music collide in an exhilarating live event! Featuring powerhouse performer Ziggy Ramo, writer and singer Nardi Simpson, poetic provocateur David Stavanger, acclaimed Indian poet Akhil Katyal as well as Laurie May, Bebe Oliver, Kirli Saunders and Sarah Temporal. Plus winners from the Poets Out Loud Slam and Australian Poetry Slam heat. Expect big energy, bold voices and a celebration of language that sings and stings. One stage. Many stars. Don’t miss it.
Presented with Red Room Poetry as part of Poetry Month 2025
Supported by Kassa-Miller Giving
Friday 08 August
Memoir: My Story (19) 12.45pm - 1.45pm | Acacia
Literary superstars Robert Dessaix, Hannah Kent and Markus Zusak reflect on the power of sharing their own personal stories.
Saturday 09 August
The Power of Choice (69) 2.15pm - 3.15pm | A&I Hall
Photographer Julian Kingma and Andrew Denton share intimate portraits of the faces of a good death. With Virginia Trioli.
Sunday 10 August
Writing South Asia (82) 9.15am - 10.15am | Hakea
Explore Indian and Sri Lankan literature with Miles Franklin winner Shankari Chandran, poet Akhil Katyal and artist Ita Mehrotra.
The Vasudhara Fund
9.00am - 10.00am (1) The First Friend
Malcolm Knox in conversation with Michael Robotham
Supported by The Holman Family
10.15am - 11.15am (7) Mungo Panel: Press Freedom
Peter Greste, John Vaillant Chair Erik Jensen
Supported by The Byron Shire Echo
11.30am - 12.30pm (13) My Sister and Other Lovers
Esther Freud in conversation with ABC Radio National’s
Natasha Mitchell
Supported by Tasmanian Walking Company
12.45pm - 1.45pm (19)
Memoir: My Story
Robert Dessaix, Hannah Kent, Markus Zusak
Chair Ashley Hay
Supported by Honey Bee Homes
2.00pm - 3.00pm (25) Fire Weather
John Vaillant in conversation with Royce Kurmelovs
Supported by Tasmanian Walking Company
3.15pm - 4.15pm (31) Always Home, Always Homesick
Hannah Kent in conversation with Steph Harmon
Supported by The Guardian
4.30pm - 5.30pm (37) People Power
Esther Anatolitis, Thomas Mayo, Jennifer Mills
Chair Royce Kurmelovs
Supported by The Guardian
Southern Cross University
9.15am - 10.15 am (2) Ways We Communicate
Maxine Beneba Clarke, Debra Dank, Damon Young Chair ABC’s Natasha Mitchell
Supported by ABC Radio National
10.30am - 11.30am (8) We Are the Stars
Gina Chick in conversation with Mel Bampton
Supported by Organic India
11.45am - 12.45pm (14) Dirrayawadha
Anita Heiss in conversation with Michael Williams
1.00pm - 2.00pm (20) Political Fictions
Shankari Chandran, Malcolm Knox Chair Sunil Badami
Supported by The Holman Family
2.15pm - 3.15pm (26) Secrets We Keep
Melanie Cheng, Esther Freud, Cameron Stewart Chair Michael Williams
Supported by The Book Room
3.30pm - 4.30pm (32) Settler Mythscapes
Jackie Huggins, Clare Wright Chair Grace Lucas-Pennington
Welcome to Country with Delta Kay 8.45am
The Guardian
8.30am - 10.00am (3)
ABC North Coast Live Broadcast with Bridie Tanner
Featuring Damon Young, Peter Helliar, Esther Freud, Markus Zusak, Isobelle Carmody, Anita Heiss
10.15am - 11.15am (9) Dusk
Robbie Arnott in conversation with Naima Brown
Supported by GALAH
11.30am - 12.30pm (15) Masters of Crime
Chris Hammer, Dervla McTiernan, Michael Robotham Chair Marele Day
12.45pm - 1.45pm (21) Things Will Calm Down Soon
Zoë Foster Blake in conversation with Leila McKinnon
Supported by Elements of Byron
2.00pm - 3.00pm (27) Broken Brains
Jamila Rizvi and Rosie Waterland in conversation with Mick O’Regan
4.45pm - 5.30pm (38) Celebrating Science
JM Field, Joëlle Gergis, Corey Tutt Chair Mel Bampton
Supported by The Holman Family
3.15pm - 4.15pm (33) Friendships
Naima Brown, Amy Colli, Di Morrissey, Saman Shad Chair Mandy Nolan
Supported by Northern Rivers Community Foundation
4.30pm - 5.30pm (39) Exposing the Food Industry
Lucie Morris-Marr in conversation with David Sly
Tasmanian Walking Company
9.15am - 10.15am (4) Black Convicts
Santilla Chingaipe in conversation with David Heilpern
Supported by Bangalow Film Festival
10.30am - 11.30am (10) Riversong
Di Morrissey in conversation with Jane Novak
Supported by Byron Shire Council
11.45am - 12.45pm (16)
Tennis Smashed
Todd Ley in conversation with Anna Featherstone
Supported by Bold Authors
1.00pm - 2.00pm (22) Corporate Cancel Culture
Josh Bornstein in conversation with Julianne Schultz
2.15pm - 3.15pm (28) The Correspondent
Peter Greste in conversation with Mark Isaacs
Supported by Tasmanian Walking Company
3.30pm - 4.30pm (34) Writing Biography
Judith Brett, Helen Ennis, Grantlee Kieza Chair Nell Schofield
Australian Ethical
9.15am - 10.15am (5)
Delhi to Mumbai: Poems
Akhil Katyal in conversation with Mary Therese Kurkalang
Supported by The Vasudhara Fund
10.30am - 11.30am (11) Cherrywood
Jock Serong in conversation with Angela Catterns
Supported by The Book Room
11.45am - 12.45pm (17)
Great Minds: Neurodiversity
9.00am - 10.00am (6) Inside Publishing
Alex Adsett, Melanie Ostell Chair Robert Watkins
10.15am - 11.15am (12) On Walking
Geoff Cousins, Michelle de Kretser Chair Chris Hanley
Supported by Tasmanian Walking Company
Vincent Fantauzzo, Sally Rippin Chair Liz Nowell 11.30am - 12.30pm (18) Humans of Lismore
1.00pm - 2.00pm (23) The Good Daughter
Kumi Taguchi in conversation with Chris Hanley
Supported by First National Byron
2.15pm - 3.15pm (29) Water: Our Life
Debra Dank, Joëlle Gergis, Chris Hammer, James Sippo Chair Erik Jensen
Supported by Southern Cross University
3.30pm - 4.30pm (35) On Reading and Writing
Michelle de Kretser, Gail Jones, Don Watson Chair Chris Hanley
Supported by Southern Cross University
5.00pm - 6.15pm (40)
Dinner Party at the End of the World (readings)
Presented by NORPA
Denise Alison in conversation with Mark Isaacs
12.45pm - 1.45pm (24) Murder Mysteries
Kayte Nunn, PA Thomas Chair Hilarie Dunn
2.00pm - 3.00pm (30) Mettle
Anne-Marie Te Whiu in conversation with Laurie May
3.15pm - 4.15pm (36) Fantasy Worlds
Isobelle Carmody, Damon Young Chair Alex Adsett
The Vasudhara Fund
9.00am - 10.00am (41) Matriarchs
Gina Chick, Esther Freud, Nardi Simpson Chair Nell Schofield
Supported by The Vasudhara Fund
10.15am - 11.15am (47)
Thea Astley Address: The Bark Petitions
Clare Wright in conversation with Kerry O’Brien
Supported by The Book Room
11.30am - 12.30pm (53) Theory & Practice
Michelle de Kretser in conversation with Jill Eddington
Southern Cross University
9.15am - 10.15am (42) Fragile Democracy
Judith Brett, Julianne Schultz, Don Watson Chair Emma Shortis
10.30am - 11.30am (48) The Name of the Sister
Gail Jones in conversation with Michael Williams
Supported by Elements of Byron 11.45am - 12.45pm (54) The Chairman’s Lounge
Joe Aston in conversation with Leila McKinnon
The Guardian
9.00am - 10.00am (43) Rapture
Emily Maguire in conversation with Chris Hanley
Supported by First National Byron
10.15am - 11.15am (49) Brainstorm
Richard Scolyer in conversation with Jamila Rizvi
Supported by The Holman Family 11.30am - 12.30pm (55)
Wild Nature
Robbie Arnott, Gina Chick, Corey Tutt Chair Courtney Miller
Supported by Australian Ethical
12.45pm - 1.45pm (59)
The Book Thief: 20 Years On
Markus Zusak in conversation with David Leser
Supported by The Book Room
2.00pm - 3.00pm (65)
Animals as Symbols
Robbie Arnott, Melanie Cheng, John Vaillant
Chair Ashley Hay
3.15pm - 4.15pm (71) Trump’d
Nick Bryant, Barry Jones, Emma Shortis, Don Watson
Chair Julianne Schultz
Supported by The Australia Institute
4.30pm - 5.30pm (77)
Chameleon
Robert Dessaix in conversation with Suzy Freeman-Greene
1.00pm - 2.00pm (60) Nuked
Geoff Cousins, Simon Holmes à Court, Royce Kurmelovs
Chair ABC Radio National’s
Natasha Mitchell
Supported by Australian Ethical
2.15pm - 3.15pm (66) Deep History
Jackie Huggins and Ann McGrath in coversation with Rhianna Patrick
12.45pm - 1.45pm (61)
Breaking the Waves
Layne Beachley, Pauline Menczer
Chair Jock Serong
Supported by Tasmanian Walking Company
2.00pm - 3.00pm (67)
Housing in Crisis
Richard Denniss, Elizabeth Mossop
Chair Esther Anatolitis
Supported by The Australia Institute
3.30pm - 4.30pm (72)
Radicalised: Extreme Boys
Jess Hill, Thomas Mayo, George Megalogenis
Chair ABC Radio National’s
Natasha Mitchell
Supported by Quarterly Essay
4.45pm - 5.30pm (78)
Laugh Lines
Peter Helliar, Jennifer Wong
Chair Mandy Nolan
3.15pm - 4.15pm (73) Historical Fiction
Tom Keneally, Emily Maguire, Jock Serong
Chair Jill Eddington
4.30pm - 5.30pm (79)
Food and Passion
Nadine Ingram, Ben Shewry
Chair Virginia Trioli
Tasmanian Walking Company
9.15am - 10.15am (44)
Literary Thrillers
Mark Brandi, Shankari Chandran, Nikki Gemmell Chair Robert Watkins
10.30am - 11.30am (50)
The White Crow
Michael Robotham in conversation with Malcolm Knox
Australian Ethical
9.15am - 10.15am (45) Women in Climate Policy
Joëlle Gergis, Mandy Nolan Chair Mel Bampton
9.00am - 10.00am (46) Awake Academy
Layne Beachley and Tess Brouwer in conversation with Courtney Miller
11.45am - 12.45pm (56)
The Voice: What’s Next?
Thomas Mayo, Naomi Moran, Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts Chair Daniel Browning
Supported by The Vasudhara Fund
1.00pm - 2.00pm (62) Indigenous Knowledges
Debra Dank, JM Field, Delta Kay Chair Bebe Oliver
Supported by Blak & Bright
2.15pm - 3.15pm (68) AI at Work
Josh Bornstein, Saul Griffith, Jennifer Mills Chair Alice Grundy
Supported by Southern Cross University
3.30pm - 4.30pm (74) Why Do Horses Run?
Cameron Stewart in conversation with David Sly
Supported by MUD Literary Club
4.45pm - 5.30pm (80) Translations
Jumaana Abdu in conversation with Anne-Marie Te Whiu
10.30am - 11.30am (51) Uses for Obsession
Ben Shewry in conversation with Erik Jensen
Supported by Basq House
11.45am - 12.45pm (57) Migration Stories
Jumaana Abdu, Mark Brandi, Kumi Taguchi Chair Sunil Badami
1.00pm - 2.00pm (63) Who Gets to Be an Artist?
Vincent Fantauzzo, Anita Heiss, Gail Jones
Chair Grace Lucas-Pennington
2.15pm - 3.15pm (69) The Power of Choice
Andrew Denton and Julian Kingma in conversation with Virginia Trioli
Supported by The Vasudhara Fund
3.30pm - 4.30pm (75) Sex and Culture
Judith Brett, Hannah Ferguson, Damon Young Chair Carody Culver
10.15am - 11.15am (52) Future Poetic
Laurie May, Bebe Oliver, Laura Shore Chair David Stavanger
Supported by Dangerously Poetic
11.30am - 12.30pm (58) Topography of Trauma
Rachel Ang, Anne-Marie Te Whiu, Damon Young Chair Ashley Hay
12.45pm - 1.45pm (64)
Activist Art
Ita Mehrotra in conversation with Mary Therese Kurkalang
2.00pm - 3.00pm (70) Poetry Walk
Akhil Katyal, Kirli Saunders, Anne-Marie Te Whiu
Hosted by Laurie May
Supported by Australian Poetry
3.15pm - 4.15pm (76) Diagnosis, Identity
Lucie Morris-Marr, Sonya Voumard, Rosie Waterland Chair Liz Nowell
The Vasudhara Fund
9.00am - 10.00am (81)
Australian Election Analysis
Jane Caro, Simon Holmes à Court, George Megalogenis Chair Misha Ketchell
Supported by The Conversation
10.15am - 11.15am (87)
Shifting Empires
Nick Bryant, Colleen Ryan, John Vaillant Chair Lenore Taylor
Supported by The Walkley Foundation
11.30am - 12.30pm (91)
Food and Belonging
Hasib Hourani, Nadine Ingram, Jennifer Wong Chair Mary Therese Kurkalang
Southern Cross University
9.15am - 10.15am (82)
Writing South Asia
Shankari Chandran, Akhil Katyal, Ita Mehrotra Chair Sunil Badami
Supported by The Vasudhara Fund
10.30am - 11.30am (88) A Life in Literature
Tom Keneally in conversation with Esther Anatolitis
Supported by Southern Cross University
The Guardian
9.00am - 10.00am (83) A Bit on the Side
Virginia Trioli in conversation with Jennifer Wong
Supported by Crystalbrook Byron
10.15am - 11.15am (89) Human?
Ziggy Ramo in conversation with Rhoda Roberts
Supported by Koori Mail
11.45am - 12.45pm (92) The Season
Helen Garner in conversation with Jock Serong
11.30am - 12.30pm (93)
Romantasy
Stacey McEwan, Tigest Girma
Chair Naima Brown
12.45pm - 1.45pm (95)
Barry Jones
Barry Jones in conversation with Kerry O’Brien
Supported by Tasmanian Walking Company
2.00pm - 3.00pm (101) Big, Brave Ideas
Richard Denniss, Persephone Fraser, Thomas Mayo, Julianne Schultz
Chair Alice Grundy
Supported by The Australia Institute
3.15pm - 4.15pm (107)
Humanities Under Attack
Esther Anatolitis, Barry Jones
Chair Carody Culver
1.00pm - 2.00pm (96) Lyrebird
Jane Caro in conversation with Mick O’Regan
12.45pm - 1.45pm (97)
Stopping Family Violence
Jess Hill in conversation with Lucy Clark
2.15pm - 3.15pm (102) Youth, Media and Politics
Matilda Boseley, Hannah Ferguson
Chair Jamila Rizvi
Supported by The Guardian
3.30pm - 4.30pm (108) Fighting for Reform
Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts in conversation with Rhianna Patrick
2.00pm - 3.00pm (103) Womanhood and Gender
Nikki Gemmell, Emily Maguire, Ita Mehrotra
Chair Mary Spongberg
3.15pm - 4.15pm (109)
Writing Love and Sex
Stacey McEwan, Saman Shad
Chair Robert Watkins
Tasmanian Walking Company
9.00am - 12.15pm (84) Kids Program
Host Peter Helliar
9.00am
Rhyme and rap with Word Travels
9.30am
Chase your dreams with Tony Armstrong
10.00am
Solve crimes with Peter Helliar
10.30am
Storytime with Anita Heiss
11.00am
Create a story with Sarah Armstrong
11.30am
Jesse Blackadder Prize Presentation
11.45am
Dance with The Gumboots
Australian Ethical
9.15am - 10.15am (85) Cultural Touchstones
Helen Ennis, Nikki Gemmell, Hasib Hourani
Chair Suzy Freeman-Greene
Supported by The Conversation
10.30am - 11.30am (90) Here Be Monsters
Jumaana Abdu, Sita Walker
Chair Carody Culver
Supported by Griffith Review
9.00am - 11.50am (86) Kids Program
Activities & Storytime
9.00am
Storytime with Kirli Saunders
9.30am
Bee a nature hero with Judy Friedlander
10.10am
Flower crowns with Zanni Louise
10.50am
Poetry with Sarah Temporal
11:20am
Draw with Jake A Minton
11.45am - 12.45pm (94) Messy: Navigating Relationships
Rachel Ang, Saman Shad
Chair Rhianna Patrick
1.00pm - 2.00pm (98)
Sunburnt: Self Publishing
Anne Gately in conversation with Anna Featherstone
Supported by IngramSpark
2.15pm - 3.15pm (104)
Queer Stories
Hasib Hourani, Akhil Katyal, Hannah Kent
Chair Daniel Browning
Supported by The Vasudhara Fund
4.30pm - 5.15pm (110)
Shire Choir Festival Finale
Melia Naughton, Sally Schofield
Accompanied by Jamie Birrell
1.00pm - 2.00pm (99) Green Solutions
Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles, Judy Friedlander, Saul Griffith, Kate Saunders
Chair Courtney Miller
Supported by Australian Ethical
2.15pm - 3.15pm (105)
New Worlds: Genre
Rachel Ang, Tigest Girma, Jennifer Mills
Chair Lynda Hawryluk
12.45pm - 1.45pm (100)
The Drop Off
David Stavanger in conversation with Angela Catterns
2.15pm - 3.15pm (106)
Self Publishing Nuts and Bolts
Chris Munnery, Anna Featherstone
Supported by IngramSpark
3.30pm - 4.30pm (111)
The Power of Two
Lisa Messenger and Sarah Megginson in conversation with Mandy Nolan
Sunday 10 August | 9.00am – 12.15pm
Inspire the writers of the future at Byron Writers Festival’s beloved Kids Program. Hosted by comedian Peter Helliar, kids and grandkids will be entertained by writers including Tony Armstrong and Anita Heiss, singers, dancers and stiltwalkers, and will create their own masterpieces.
Lilly Pilly Marquee
Host Peter Helliar
9.00am Rhyme and rap with Word Travels
9.30am Chase your dreams with Tony Armstrong
10.00am Solve crimes with Peter Helliar
10.30am Storytime with Anita Heiss
11.00am Create a story with Sarah Armstrong
11.30am Jesse Blackadder Prize Presentation
11.45am Dance with The Gumboots
Coolamon Marquee
Storytime & Activities
9.00am Storytime with Kirli Saunders
9.30am Bee a nature hero with Judy Friedlander
10.10am Flower crowns with Zanni Louise
10.50am Poetry with Sarah Temporal
11:20am Draw with Jake A Minton
A series of community events across the Northern Rivers.
Grantlee Kieza
OAM in conversation with Mick O’Regan
Thursday 07 August
1.30pm - 3.30pm
Marvell Hall, Byron Bay
$25 / $20 inc. afternoon tea
Hosted by Friends of Libraries
Byron Shire
Saturday 09 August
3.00pm - 5.00pm
Byron Library Free event
Featuring Jo Giles, Rachael Williams
Hosted by Word Travels
Saturday 09 August
12.00pm - 2.00pm
Uniting Church, Bangalow $5 bookings essential
Featuring Rachael Williams Hosted by Sarah Temporal
Sunday 10 August
2.00pm - 6.00pm
Bangalow Bowling Club Free event
Featuring Jo Giles Hosted by David Hallett
For Satellite Event tickets and info, visit byronwritersfestival.com/satellite-events
Party at the End of the World
Friday 08 August (40)
5.00pm - 6.15pm
A&I Hall
Free event, Food & Bar available Presented by NORPA
Experience moving, sound-infused readings from NORPA’s work-in-development Dinner Party at the End of the World, drawn from 2022 flood stories – tragic, hopeful, human, followed by a discussion with the NORPA creative team led by the project’s Creative Directors Julian Louis and Heather Fairbairn. A Byron Writers Festival and NORPA collaboration, assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body.
Tuesday 05 August | 1.00pm - 4.00pm
Byron Community Centre
$65 / $60 Festival Friends
In this practical workshop we’ll look at what makes an elegant review and how to balance praise with constructive criticism. The workshop will take you from the germ of the first idea through to the review’s publication. Bring along a book that you would like to review.
Wednesday 06 August | 10.00am - 1.00pm
Byron Community Centre
$90 / $85 Festival Friends
Discover easy and innovative ways to market yourself and your writing so you can reach a wider audience, land more projects, deals, grants and opportunities, and sustainably sell your works.
Wednesday 06 August | 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Byron Community Centre
$120 / $110 Festival Friends
Join legendary author Isobelle Carmody for an immersive writing workshop that dives deep into the art of storytelling. Isobelle will guide participants through character, world-building and creative process. A rare opportunity to learn from a master.
Thursday 07 August | 11.00am - 1.00pm
Byron Community Centre
$120 / $110 Festival Friends
Bestselling crime writer Dervla McTiernan shares her practical strategies for overcoming creative roadblocks and staying productive. Perfect for emerging writers, this workshop offers invaluable insights and tools to power through the ‘midpoint mire’.
Aged care reimagined.
Small home environment.
Feels like a home, not a facility.
Small, dedicated team offering personalised care. Dementia specialists.
Home Care Packages and NDIS funding accepted.
To chat with us please contact: enquiries@honeybeehomes.com.au 02 8088 0773
www.honeybeehomes.com.au
NOW: elementsofbyron.com.au/offers/ Immerse yourself in the magic of storytelling with our exclusive
Stay in the serene luxury of a One-Bedroom Villa and let the beauty of Byron Bay inspire your next chapter. Includes 2 nights accommodation, complimentary room upgrade, bus transfers to and from the Byron Writers Festival and copy of Galah Magazine.
Masterclass: Prep Your Pitch with Melanie Ostell
Thursday 07 August | 2.00pm - 4.30pm
Elements of Byron Resort
$130 / $120 Festival Friends
Join literary agent Melanie Ostell for a dynamic pitching masterclass designed to help you craft a compelling pitch, refine your project, and present your work with confidence to publishers and agents.
Thursday 07 August | 11.00am - 1.30pm
Mullumbimby campus, Byron Community College
$120 / $110 Festival Friends
Join acclaimed Indian artist and author Ita Mehrotra for a hands-on workshop on creating graphic novels, comics and zines. Through free-drawing exercises, crafting characters and storyboarding, learn from one of India’s most exciting graphic novelists.
Friday 08 & Saturday 09 August
15 min consultations, various times
Uniting Church, Bangalow
$160 / $140 Festival Friends
So you think you’re ready to submit your manuscript to agents and publishers? Get feedback on your work and discuss your next steps with an industry expert.
For Workshop tickets and info, visit byronwritersfestival.com/festival-workshops
Byron Writers Festival is Australia’s largest regional literature festival and the beating heart of the Northern Rivers’ intellectual and cultural life. We present year-round author talks, writing workshops and schools programs in addition to our renowned annual festival.
Join our Patron Circle
Our annual patrons make everything we do possible. Patrons of the festival are an integral part of our community, and enjoy a close connection to the organisation with exclusive opportunities during the festival and year round.
Encounter a peaceful, nature-filled haven with giant crystals Daily Crystal Singing Bowl and Crystal Meditation sessions
You’ll find the extraordinary only 20 mins from Byron Bay Open every day, 10am - 5pm Book tickets online now crystalcastle.com.au
Publishing strategy
Author marketing All things book
Learn how to apply for grants, craft a literary CV, prepare a writer’s statement, get more of your books into Australian libraries, access a monthly to-do list to successfully launch a book, and more.
Jumaana Abdu
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Jumaana Abdu is the author of Translations, shortlisted for the Stella Prize and the MUD Literary Prize.
Alex Adsett
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Alex Adsett is a literary agent and publishing consultant with over 25 years’ experience and has helped thousands of authors get published.
Denise Alison
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Denise Alison loves her community. She gathered stories of people from the Northern Rivers into a beautiful book called Humans of Lismore.
Esther Anatolitis
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Esther Anatolitis is Editor of Meanjin and Essays that Changed Australia. She is CoChair of the Australian Republic Movement.
Rachel Ang
58 94 105
Rachel Ang is an artist and writer who makes comics. Their graphic short story collection I Ate The Whole World to Find You is out now.
Robbie Arnott
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Robbie Arnott is the author of Dusk, Limberlost, The Rain Heron and Flames He lives in Hobart with his wife and children.
Joe Aston
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Joe Aston is one of Australia’s most influential commentators on business, finance and politics. He is the author of The Chairman’s Lounge.
Sunil Badami
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Sunil Badami is a writer, academic and broadcaster living on Wangal land in Eora/Sydney.
Mel Bampton
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Mel Bampton is an interviewer and creative force best known for shaping Australia’s most iconic media projects as creator of Like A Version.
Layne Beachley
46 61
Layne Beachley AO is a seven-time world surfing champion and mental wellness advocate. Her latest book is Awake Academy
Josh Bornstein
22 68
Josh Bornstein is an award-winning lawyer specialising in employment and labourrelations law. He is the author of Working for the Brand.
Matilda Boseley
102 F
Matilda Boseley is an award-winning social media reporter and presenter for Guardian Australia and author writing about all things ADHD.
Mark Brandi
44 57
Mark Brandi is the author of five novels including the bestselling and awardwinning debut Wimmera. His latest novel is Eden
Judith Brett
34 42 75
Judith Brett is an award-winning political historian and biographer. Her latest book is Fearless Beatrice Faust
Tess Brouwer
46
Tess Brouwer is the CEO of Awake Academy. Her latest book is Awake Academy, co-written with Layne Beachley.
Naima Brown
9 33 93
Naima Brown is the author of Mother Tongue, The Shot and How To Age Against the Machine. She currently resides in the Northern Rivers.
56 104
Daniel Browning is a writer and broadcaster. His first book, Close to the Subject, won the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction in 2024.
71 87
Nick Bryant hosts Saturday Extra on ABC Radio National. A former BBC Washington correspondent, his latest book is The Forever War.
3 36 W
Isobelle Carmody is an award-winning Australian writer and illustrator with over 40 books for children, young people and adults to her name.
81 96
Jane Caro AM is a Walkley awardwinning Australian author, feminist, public education activist and commentator. Her latest book is Lyrebird.
Angela Catterns
11 100
Angela Catterns is an Australian media personality and radio presenter. She has presented on Triple J, ABC Local and ABC Sydney among others.
Shankari Chandran
20 44 82
Shankari Chandran is author of the Miles Franklin award-winning Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens. Her latest book is Unfinished Business.
Melanie Cheng
26 65
Melanie Cheng is author of The Burrow Her debut collection, Australia Day, won the 2018 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Fiction.
Gina Chick
8 41 55
Gina Chick won the inaugural season of iTV and SBS’s Alone Australia. Her first book, We Are The Stars, is a runaway bestseller.
Santilla Chingaipe
4
Santilla Chingaipe is an award-winning filmmaker, historian and author. Her latest book is Black Convicts.
Lucy Clark
97 F
Lucy Clark is features editor of Guardian Australia. She is author of Beautiful Failures: How the quest for success is harming our kids
Maxine Beneba Clarke
2
Maxine Beneba Clarke is the author of Foreign Soil and The Hate Race Stuff I’m Not Sorry For: 99 poems for young people is her latest book.
Aidan Coleman W
Aidan Coleman’s three collections of poetry have been shortlisted for national awards. A biography Thin Ice: A Life of John Forbes is forthcoming.
Amy Colli 33
Amy Colli is a passionate advocate for regional development and the raising of women’s voices through localised community engagement.
Geoff Cousins
12 60
Geoff Cousins is a business and community leader and environmentalist. He was previously president of the Australian Conservation Foundation.
Carody Culver
75 90 107
Carody Culver is the editor of Griffith Review. Her chapbook, The Morgue I Think the Deader It Gets, was published by Cordite in 2022.
Prof Amy Cutter-Mackenzie -Knowles 99
Prof Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles is the Executive Dean of Southern Cross University’s world-leading Faculty of Education.
Dr Debra Dank
2 29 62
Dr Debra Dank is a Gudanji/Wakaja and Kalkadoon woman. Her book, We Come with This Place, won numerous honours. Her latest book is Terraglossia
Day 15
Marele Day’s Claudia Valentine series won her a Ned Kelly Lifetime Achievement Award for crime writing. Her most recent title is Reckless
Michelle de Kretser
12 35 53
Michelle de Kretser’s novels have won numerous awards including the 2025 Stella Prize for her latest novel Theory & Practice.
Richard Denniss
67 101
Richard Denniss is the Executive Director at The Australia Institute and is a contributing author in What’s the Big Idea?
Andrew Denton
69
Andrew Denton is a writer, performer and TV producer. He is the founding director of Go Gentle Australia, dedicated to better end-of-life choices.
Robert Dessaix
19 77
Robert Dessaix is a writer, translator, broadcaster, and author of Twilight of Love, Night Letters and Corfu His memoir is Chameleon
Hilarie Dunn 24
Hilarie Dunn has had a career in journalism and communications. She lives in the Northern Rivers, gets her hands dirty and reads a lot.
Jill Eddington
53 73
Jill Eddington is an avid reader. She is a former festival director, publisher and director of Literature at Creative Australia.
Helen Ennis
34 85
Helen Ennis is an award-winning biographer who writes on Australian photographers and photography. Max Dupain: A Portrait is her latest book.
Heather Fairbairn
40
Heather Fairbairn is a multi-award nominated director and dramaturg working across theatre, opera and film. She is Artistic Associate at NORPA.
Vincent Fantauzzo 17 63
Vincent Fantauzzo is an award-winning artist whose portrait of Heath Ledger won the Archibald Prize’s Peoples’ Choice Award. Unveiled is his memoir.
Anna Featherstone
16 98 106 W
Anna Featherstone is a publishing consultant for the Australian Society of Authors, and champions writers whatever their stage and publishing pathway.
Hannah Ferguson
75 102
Hannah Ferguson is CEO of Cheek Media Co., co-host of Big Small Talk podcast, and bestselling author of two books, Bite Back and Taboo
JM Field
38 62
Dr JM Field is a Gamilaraay writer, weaver and mathematician. His latest collection The Eagle and the Crow explores Gamilaraay kinship.
Zoë Foster Blake 21
Zoë Foster Blake is author of seventeen books for adults, kids, and on beauty and relationships. Her latest is Things Will Calm Down Soon.
Persephone Fraser
101
Persephone Fraser is Ethical Research and Climate Policy Lead at Australian Ethical. She was previously a researcher at Climate Justice Initiative.
Suzy Freeman-Greene
77 85
Suzy Freeman-Greene is the founding editor of The Conversation’s Books & Ideas section. She is a former editor and columnist at The Age.
Esther Freud
3 13 26 41
Esther Freud is the author of ten novels.
Hideous Kinky was made into a film starring Kate Winslet. Her latest is My Sister and Other Lovers.
Judy Friedlander
86 99
Dr Judy Friedlander is the founder of PlantingSeeds Projects, and author of The Bee Squad: Boosting Biodiversity in Your Neighbourhood
Helen Garner
92 F
Helen Garner is the award-winning writer of novels, stories, screenplays and non-fiction. Her most recent work is The Season.
Nikki Gemmell
44 85 103
Nikki Gemmell writes novels, memoirs, columns and screenplays, including The Bride Stripped Bare. Her latest novel is Wing
Joëlle Gergis
29 38 45
Dr Joëlle Gergis is an award-winning climate scientist and writer. She served as Lead Author on the UN’s IPCC Sixth Assessment Report.
Tigest Girma
93 105 F
Tigest Girma is the New York Times #1 bestselling author of Immortal Dark She splits her time between writing and teaching.
Peter Greste
7 28
Peter Greste is an Australian-born journalist, author, media freedom activist and academic. His book The Correspondent is now a major movie.
Saul Griffith
68 99
Saul Griffith is an engineer, inventor, and author of Electrify, The Big Switch, and Plug In! The Electrification Handbook
Alice Grundy
68 101
Alice Grundy is Managing Editor of Australia Institute Press and a Research Manager at The Australia Institute.
Chris Hammer 15 29
Chris Hammer is a bestselling author of crime novels The Seven and The Valley, and non-fiction book The River on the Murray-Darling Basin.
Chris Hanley
12 23 35 43
Chris Hanley OAM is a founder of Byron Writers Festival and was Chair for 20 years until 2016. He is the CEO of First National Byron.
Steph Harmon
31 F
Steph Harmon is the culture editor of Guardian Australia. She was founding editor of Junkee.com.
Dr Lynda Hawryluk
105
Dr Lynda Hawryluk is a poet who has been published in academic and creative publications. She teaches Creative Writing at Southern Cross University.
Ashley Hay
19 58 65
Ashley Hay is an award-winning novelist, essayist and editor whose work includes A Hundred Small Lessons and Gum
Prof David Heilpern
4
Professor David Heilpern is Dean of Law at Southern Cross University, and a prizewinning short-story writer and poet.
Anita Heiss
3 14 63 84
Anita Heiss (Wiradyuri Nation) is Publisher-At-Large for Bundyi Publishing. Her latest novels are Dirrayawadha and Red Dust Running.
Peter Helliar
3 78 84
Peter Helliar is Australia’s favourite comedian. He is author of the much-loved Herman Crab, series Frankie Fish, and now Detective Galileo
Jess Hill
72 97
Jess Hill is a journalist, author of See What You Made Me Do and Quarterly Essay Losing It: Can we stop violence against women and children?
Simon Holmes à Court
60 81
Simon Holmes à Court is an energy analyst, clean tech investor and climate philanthropist. He is the founder of Climate 200.
Hasib Hourani
85 91 104
Hasib Hourani is a Lebanese-Palestinian writer living on unceded Gadigal land. His debut book rock flight won the 2025 NSW Literary Award for poetry.
Prof Jackie Huggins
32 66
Professor Jackie Huggins is Bidjara and Birri Gubba Juru. She is author of Sister Girl and editor of Deep History: Country and Sovereignty
Nadine Ingram
79 91
Nadine Ingram is a baker, founder, and author of cookbooks Flour and Stone: Baked for Love, Life and Happiness, and now Love Crumbs
Mark Isaacs
18 28
Mark Isaacs is an author with a deep commitment to human rights. His work sheds light on social justice issues around the world.
Erik Jensen
7 29 51
Erik Jensen is an award-winning journalist, biographer, screenwriter and poet. His latest book is a collection of political writing titled Angry at Breakfast
Barry Jones
71 95 107
Barry Jones is a former ALP politician. His books include Sleepers, Wake! and What is to be Done. He is a ‘living national treasure’.
Gail Jones
35 48 63
Gail Jones is one of Australia’s most celebrated writers. She is the author of ten novels, and her latest is The Name of the Sister.
Akhil Katyal
5 70 82 104 F
Akhil Katyal is a poet from Mumbai. He is the author of The Last Time I Saw You and Like Blood on the Bitten Tongue: Delhi Poems.
Delta Kay
62
Delta Kay is an Arakwal Bumberbin Bundjalung woman, proud mother and grandmother passionate about sharing culture and protecting Country.
Tom Keneally
73 88
Tom Keneally’s novels include The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, Schindler’s Ark (for which he won the Booker Prize) and Fanatic Heart
Hannah Kent
19 31 104
Hannah Kent is the author of the novels Burial Rites, The Good People, and Devotion. Her most recent book is Always Home, Always Homesick
Misha Ketchell
81
Misha Ketchell is Editor and Executive Director of The Conversation. He was founding editor of The Big Issue Australia.
Grantlee Kieza
34 S
Grantlee Kieza OAM is an award-winning journalist and the highly acclaimed, bestselling author of more than twenty biographies.
Julian Kingma
69
Julian Kingma is an award-winning photographer whose work is exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery. His book is The Power of Choice
Malcolm Knox
1 20 50
Malcolm Knox is the multi-award winning journalist and author of eight novels, most recently The First Friend
5 64 91
Mary Therese Kurkalang is a cultural curator and social researcher working across India, with a special focus on the Himalayan Region.
Royce Kurmelovs
25 37 60
Royce Kurmelovs is a journalist and author of five books including The Death of Holden and Slick: Australia’s Toxic Relationship with Big Oil
David Leser
59
David Leser is a two-time Walkley Award-winning journalist and author of seven books, including his memoir To Begin to Know.
40
Julian Louis is a theatre maker and is the Artistic Director of NORPA (Northern Rivers Performing Arts) based in Lismore.
32 63
Grace Lucas-Pennington is a Bundjalung editor, mentor and writer. She is the Senior Editor at the black&write! Indigenous Writing and Editing Project.
Emily Maguire
43 73 103
Emily Maguire is author of seven novels and three non-fiction books. Her latest novel Rapture was shortlisted for the ABIA Book of the Year.
Laurie May
30 52 70 F
Laurie May is an Mparntwe/Alice Springsbased poet and spoken word performer. Laurie is the creator and Executive Director of Red Dirt Poetry.
Thomas Mayo
37 56 72 101 F
Thomas Mayo is an advocate and trade union official. His books include The Voice to Parliament Handbook and Always Was, Always Will Be.
Stacey McEwan
93 109
Stacey McEwan is the bestselling author of the Glacian Trilogy and Alchemy series. Her latest is A Forbidden Academy.
Prof Ann McGrath
66
Ann McGrath is Distinguished Professor, Australian National University, where she led the Research Centre for Deep History.
Leila McKinnon
21 54
Leila McKinnon is a senior journalist with the Nine Network and a member of the Northern Rivers community.
15 W
Dervla McTiernan is the acclaimed author of six novels, including the much-loved Cormac Reilly series. The latest is The Unquiet Grave.
72 81
George Megalogenis is an author and journalist. He is the author of Minority Report: The New Shape of Australian Politics.
Sarah Megginson
111
Sarah Megginson is a writer, author and personal finance expert living on the Gold Coast. Her latest book is The Power of Two.
Ita Mehrotra
64 82 103 W
Ita Mehrotra is a graphic novelist from New Delhi, India. She is author of Shaheen Bagh, and Uprooted: A Graphic Account for Forest Rights.
Pauline Menczer
61
Pauline Menczer is a world champion surfer and outspoken advocate of women in sport. She is author of Surf Like a Woman
Lisa Messenger
111
Lisa Messenger is a game-changing entrepreneur, thought leader, speaker and bestselling author. Her latest book is The Power of Two.
Courtney Miller
46 55 99
Courtney Miller has a varied career across politics, art, fashion and now heads up a philanthropic foundation focused on the next generation.
Jennifer Mills
37 68 105
Jennifer Mills is an author and critic based on Kaurna Yarta (Adelaide). She is the MEAA freelance delegate. Her latest novel is Salvage
Natasha Mitchell
2 13 60 72
Natasha Mitchell is host of the ABC Radio National’s Big Ideas program and podcast. She founded the popular ABC program All in the Mind.
Naomi Moran
56
Naomi Moran is a Dunghutti and Nyangbal/ Arakwal woman of the Bundjalung nation. She is a NSW Treaty Commissioner.
Lucie Morris-Marr
39 76
Lucie Morris-Marr is a Walkley Awardwinning investigative journalist. Processed is her latest book.
Di Morrissey
10 33
Di Morrissey AM is one of Australia’s most successful and prolific authors, with thirty bestselling novels including her latest, River Song
Prof Elizabeth Mossop
67
Professor Elizabeth Mossop is Academic Director of Living Lab Northern Rivers. She is Adjunct Professor, Southern Cross University.
Mandy Nolan
33 45 78 111
Mandy Nolan is a comedian, a mum of 5 kids, author of 5 books, activist, feminist, and columnist for the iconic and local Byron Shire Echo.
Jane Novak
10
Jane Novak is an Australian literary agent. Her clients include Di Morrissey, Helen Garner, Kate Grenville and Behrouz Boochani.
Liz Nowell
17 76
Liz Nowell is Executive Director of Arts Project Australia, an organisation that supports the practice of neurodivergent visual artists.
Kayte Nunn
24
Kayte Nunn is the author of eight novels, including the bestselling The Botanist’s Daughter. Her most recent is The Palazzo
Kerry O’Brien
47 95 F
Kerry O’Brien is one of Australia’s most respected journalists with six Walkley Awards. Kerry co-wrote the The Voice to Parliament Handbook.
Mick O’Regan
27 96 S
Mick O’Regan is a journalist and broadcaster with more than two decades’ experience with the ABC and Seven Network.
Bebe Oliver
52 62 F
Bebe Oliver is a Bardi Jawi award-winning author, poet and illustrator and Artistic Director of Blak & Bright. His latest book is if this is the end.
Melanie Ostell
6 W
Melanie Ostell has more than 25 years’ experience in Australian book publishing as an editor, publisher, educator and now literary agent.
Rhianna Patrick
66 94 108
Rhianna Patrick is a Torres Strait Islander media professional working across radio, television, news and current affairs.
Ziggy Ramo
89 F
Ziggy Ramo is an award-winning musician, actor, author and composer. His latest book and album is Human?
Sally Rippin
17
Sally Rippin is the current Australian Children’s Laureate. She has written over 100 books for children and young adults.
Jamila Rizvi
27 49 102
Jamila Rizvi is author of Not Just Lucky and The Motherhood. She is Deputy Managing Director of Future Women. Her latest book is Broken Brains
Rhoda Roberts
89
Rhoda Roberts AO is a proud Widjabul Wiabal woman from the Bundjalung nation, and a director, writer, broadcaster, performer, media and arts executive.
Michael Robotham
1 15 50
Michael Robotham is an internationally renowned crime writer. The White Crow is the second book in his Philomena McCarthy series.
Colleen Ryan
87
Colleen Ryan was a journalist for over thirty-five years, former Editor of Australian Financial Review, and has won three Walkley awards.
Kate Saunders
99
Kate Saunders is Head of Foundation at Australian Ethical. She leads the delivery of social and environmental change through strategic philanthropy.
Kirli Saunders
70 86 F
Kirli Saunders OAM is a multi-awardwinning multidisciplinary artist, writer, poet, singer-songwriter and consultant. Eclipse is her latest book.
Nell Schofield
34 41
Nell Schofield is a performer, writer, broadcaster, activist and producer. She is President of Byron’s BayFM where she co-hosts Roadtrip.
Julianne Schultz
22 42 71 101
Julianne Schultz is an acclaimed author, academic and columnist for The Guardian. Her latest book is The Idea of Australia
Prof Richard Scolyer
49
Professor Richard Scolyer AO won the 2024 Australian of the Year and is a Co-Medical Director of Melanoma Institute Australia.
Jock Serong
11 61 73 92
Jock Serong is the author of seven awardwinning novels, most recently Cherrywood, and writes non-fiction for surfing outlets.
Saman Shad
33 94 109
Saman Shad is a journalist and author of The Matchmaker. Her latest novel The Sex Lives of Married Women is published through Penguin Australia.
Ben Shewry
51 79
Ben Shewry is an internationally renowned chef and creative-obsessive. He owns Attica in Melbourne and is the author of Uses for Obsession
Laura Shore
52
Laura Shore has been writing and teaching in Byron Shire since 1996. Her poetry collections include Breathworks, Water over Stone, Afterglow
Dr Emma Shortis
42 71
Dr Emma Shortis is the Director of International and Security Affairs at The Australia Institute. She is author of After America.
Nardi Simpson
41 F
Nardi Simpson is a Yuwaalaraay storyteller. A composer, musician and performer, Nardi’s second novel is the belburd.
29
Dr James Sippo is a research and industry fellow at Southern Cross University, focusing on coastal wetlands, rivers and estuaries.
39 74
David Sly has published six books, and is a judge of the annual MUD Literary Prize, for best debut Australian literary novel.
Mary Spongberg
103
Professor Mary Spongberg, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Southern Cross University, is a cultural historian focused on women’s history and historiography.
David Stavanger
52 100 F
David Stavanger is a poet, performer and cultural producer. He is the author of collections The Special, Case Notes, and The Drop Off.
Cameron Stewart
26 74
Cameron Stewart grew up on a farm near Mullumbimby and resides in South Korea. His novel Why Do Horses Run? won the 2025 MUD Literary Prize.
Kumi Taguchi
23 57
Kumi Taguchi is the host of SBS’s flagship current affairs program Insight. She is the author of her memoir The Good Daughter
Bridie Tanner
3
Bridie Tanner is an op-shop enthusiast, Bulldogs tragic, and is the Breakfast presenter of ABC North Coast.
87
Lenore Taylor is Guardian Australia’s editor. She has won two Walkleys and co-authored Shitstorm on the Rudd government’s response to the GFC.
30 58 70 80
Anne-Marie Te Whiu is an Australian-born Māori writer and weaver whose passion is poetic storytelling. Mettle is her debut collection.
86 F S
Poet and performer Sarah Temporal empowers voices of all ages through Poets Out Loud. Tight Bindings is her debut poetry collection.
24
PA Thomas is a crime-fiction writer who lives in Byron Bay. He is the author of The Beacon and The Sunbaker.
Virginia Trioli
69 79 83
Virginia Trioli is an award-winning journalist, presenter of Creative Types with Virginia Trioli on ABCTV, and author of A Bit on the Side.
Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts
56 108
Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner. Her memoir is Long Yarn Short.
Corey Tutt
38 55
Corey Tutt OAM is a proud Kamilaroi man and CEO of DeadlyScience. His latest book is Caution: This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles.
John Vaillant
7 25 65 87
John Vaillant is a bestselling author. His latest book, Fire Weather, won Britain’s Baillie Gifford Prize and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist.
Sonya Voumard
76
Sonya Voumard is an award-winning writer. Her most recent book Tremor won the non-fiction Finlay Lloyd’s 20/40 publishing prize.
Sita Walker
90
Sita Walker is the award-winning author of The God of No Good. Sita has written for The Guardian, Griffith Review and others.
Rosie Waterland
27 76
Rosie Waterland is an author, comedian, and podcaster. Her books include The Anti Cool Girl, Every Lie I’ve Ever Told, and Broken Brains
Robert Watkins
6 44 109
Robert Watkins is Publishing Director of Ultimo Press and Chair of Sydney Writers’ Festival.
Don Watson
35 42 71
Don Watson is the author of many acclaimed books including Recollections of a Bleeding Heart, American Journeys and The Bush
Michael Williams
14 26 48
Michael Williams is the editor of The Monthly and host of podcast Read This. He was formerly Artistic Director of Sydney Writers’ Festival.
Rachael Williams
84 S
Rachael Williams is the 2024 Australian Poetry Slam NSW State Champion and won runner up in the 2024 APS National Final.
Jennifer Wong
78 83 91
Jennifer Wong is a writer, comedian, and co-author of Chopsticks or Fork?: Recipes and Stories from Australia’s Regional Chinese Restaurants.
Clare Wright
32 47
Clare Wright is an award-winning historian, author, broadcaster and public commentator. Her latest book is Ņäku Dhäruk The Bark Petitions.
Damon Young
2 3 36 58 75
Damon Young is a prize-winning philosopher and writer. His latest book is Immortal Gestures: Journeys in the Unspoken
Markus Zusak
3 19 59
Markus Zusak is the author of six novels including international bestseller The Book Thief Three Wild Dogs is his first work of non-fiction.
The Empty Chair in some of our festival sessions symbolises a writer who could not be present on stage because they have been imprisoned, detained, disappeared, threatened or killed.
3-day pass
1-Day pass
Includes access to all festival sessions. Excludes workshops and separately ticketed events
Includes access to all festival sessions on your selected day. Excludes workshops and separately ticketed events
Kids Program Entry to Kids Program venues only. Includes one child 6-12 years old and one accompanying adult
Saturday & Sunday
We offer free MobTix festival passes. Please contact us via tickets@byronwritersfestival.com to book.
Parking onsite at Bangalow Showground is $10 per day. You will need to purchase a parking pass along with your festival pass.
Book now via byronwritersfestival.com or call (02) 6685 5115
The festival site is located at Bangalow Showground (approximately 15 minutes drive from Byron Bay). Vehicle entry is via Market St and pedestrian access via Station Lane, Bangalow. We encourage you to hop on our free shuttle bus or carpool with friends.
A free festival shuttle bus will be operating between Byron Bay Interchange (Butler St), Cavanbah Centre (Ewingsdale Rd) and the festival site from Friday 8 - Sunday 10 August. Free car parking is available at Cavanbah Centre for shuttle bus patrons.
Bus timetable available at byronwritersfestival.com/travel
$80 Youth (25 years or under)
$65 (1 Adult + 1 Child)
$20 per additional child
Children under 6 years are free
All tickets are subject to availability and booking fees. Children under 18 years must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Tickets will be exchanged on entry for a wristband that is non-transferable.
Parking opens at 7.30am. Gates open at 8am.
For full terms and conditions, visit byronwritersfestival.com/terms-conditions
Onsite car parking is available for $10 per day. Please pre-purchase your car parking pass along with your festival pass.
Carpark opens at 7.30am, please park as directed by attendants. Accessible parking available, please display your disability parking permit.
There will be a dedicated parking area for bicycles onsite.
Pedestrian access to the festival, including shuttle bus passengers, is via Station Lane.
Acacia presented by The Vasudhara Fund
Hakea presented by Southern Cross University
Melaleuca presented by The Guardian
Lilly Pilly presented by Tasmanian Walking Company
A&I Hall presented by Australian Ethical
Coolamon
A delicious range of food and drink will be available from local food stalls with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Satisfy your caffeine cravings at one of our coffee carts and BYO or borrow a reusable coffee cup.
Enjoy a drink and a bite to eat! Our festival bar at the A&I Hall will be open from 4pm on Friday and Saturday and during our Feature Events.
Browse our bespoke onsite marketplace of local artisans and take home a memento.
Visit The Book Room, our festival bookshop, to grab your favourite festival titles and have them signed by authors after each session.
A moment of stillness in the festival flow — Cape Calm Lounge is your space to pause, reflect and reconnect between festival sessions.
Presented by Tasmanian Walking Company
Chair Courtney Miller
Treasurer Cheryl Bourne
Secretary Hilarie Dunn
Public Officer
Lynda Dean OAM
Members Sarah Armstrong, Marele Day, Lynda Hawryluk, David Heilpern, Lesley-Anne Houghton, Grace LucasPennington
Our beautiful sculpture walk is curated by local sculptor Suvira McDonald. Most pieces are available for sale, please see Suvira at the Sculpture Tent to make enquiries.
Check our website for selected sessions to be Auslan interpreted. Patrons may also bring their own interpreters on a free carer’s pass.
Dedicated accessible seating, toilets and parking areas are available onsite. Visit our Info Booth for assistance with wheelchairs.
Byron Writers Festival is a participant of the National Companion Card scheme, offering patrons with disability a second ticket for their accompanying companion at no charge.
Byron Writers Festival sustainability guidelines align with Byron Shire Council’s single-use policy. Please sort waste and reusables into appropriately marked bins. BYO water bottles for free refills.
Team
Artistic Director
Jessica Alice
Executive Director
Shien Chee
Development Manager
Aarna Hudson
Program Manager
Clare McGregor
Marketing Manager
Kate Reynolds
Finance Manager
Simone Evans
Travel Manager & Event Logistics
Cherrie Sheldrick
Administrator Lucy Colli
Publicist Viv Fantin
Volunteers Coordinator
Sarah Biggs
Site Manager
Pete Papandrea
Design Keira Wafer, Cream Creative
and our fabulous team of volunteers
T Fizz
Scott Malcolm & Jane Taylor
The Holman Family
Kassa-Miller Giving
Edwin & Elaine Blackadder
Shirley Nelson & Nan Pulsford
Wildwood Family Foundation
Amanda Maple-Brown
Angela Mackay
Bob & Patti Lowry
Chris Hanley & Dawn Standfield
Christopher & Lynda Dean
Graeme Wood Foundation
Jill Morrison
John & Melissa Hertzberg
Merran Morrison
The Hon. Ben Franklin MLC
Tom & Sibylle Vidal
Bangalow Park Trust, Bloomsbury, Brian Warrick, Byron Bay Cookie Company, Byron Library, Byron School of Art, Christopher & Lynda Dean, Delta Kay, Dr. Bronner’s, Friends of Libraries Byron Shire, Hilarie Dunn, Marele Day, NewSouth Books, Ninbella, North Byron Hotel, Pan Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, Spaghetti Circus, Thames & Hudson, The Cellar, The Hon. Ben Franklin MLC, Zoe Gameau. Plus all the publisher’s who assisted in creating the 2025 Byron Writers Festival program
