News &amp; Editorial

We are continually aiming to improve access to Byron Writers Festival and enhance the experience of patrons of all abilities. Please contact us on [email protected] if you require any further information or advice in regards to the below.

Auslan Interpretation

Selected sessions from the main program are interpreted each day of the Festival. Floating Auslan interpreters will also be available at the Festival site on an as-needs basis. If you require an Auslan interpreter, look out for the Auslan symbol in the printed program, or go to the Information Tent at the Festival site to book an on-demand interpreter for a session of your choosing.

Thanks to Multicultural NSW for funding this initiative.

Explore the full program and see which sessions have been preselected for Auslan interpretation on:

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Click the button below to watch our Auslan interpreted video guide to the 2019 Byron Writers Festival, produced in conjunction with Social Futures.

WATCH OUR VIDEO GUIDE

Wheelchair Accessibility at the Festival

The Festival site is located at Elements of Byron Resort, approximately 5km from Byron town centre. The terrain is flat and grassy, but can become more difficult to navigate in a wheelchair after periods of rain. We advise to use a wheelchair with large wheels if possible.

Seating

Festival marquees and stages have wheelchair accessible allocated seating. Please make yourself known to the marquee supervisor and you will be ushered to an accessible seat.

Festival Satellite Events take place in various venues across the Northern Rivers. If you require a wheelchair accessible seat at any of our Satellite Events, please call the office on (02) 6685 5115 or email Emily Brugman at [email protected] to make the necessary arrangements.

Parking

An accessible parking and drop-off/pick-up zone is located close to the Festival entrance. Our parking volunteers will direct you accordingly. Please have your sticker on display.

Accessible parking at Satellite Events is dependent on council parking regulations in and around the selected venue. Please call the venue directly to discuss your options.

Companion Cards

Byron Writers Festival is a participant of the National Companion Card scheme, offering disabled patrons holding a current companion card a second ticket for their accompanying companion at no charge.

When you arrive, please make your way to the Festival Box Office and present your National Companion Card, along with your Festival ticket, to our friendly staff. You will be allocated a corresponding complimentary pass for your companion. There is a limit of one companion pass per person per day. For further information please visit www.companioncard.gov.au/

Information on ticket releases, announcements and pricing

12 June: Full Program announced and all tickets on sale|
Full program announcement
All tickets available, including 3-Day passes, 1-Day passes, Sunday Locals’ passes, Kids Big Day Out and separately ticketed Workshops and Satellite Events*.

3-Day Pass: $255 Members / $299 General
1-Day Pass: $110 Members / $135 General
Sunday Locals’ Pass*: $80, limited release, conditions apply. Supported by Stone & Wood
Sunday Kids Big Day Out Pass**, $40 (1 adult + 1 child. $20 for each additional child)
Sunday Family Pass**: $120 (2 adults + 1 child. $20 for each additional child)

Satellite Event ticket prices range from free to $35
Workshop ticket prices range from $35 to $120, with member discounts available.

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29 July 29 – 4 August
Workshops and Satellite Events running throughout the week

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2 – 4 August
Festival Weekend!

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Notes and conditions

All tickets are available to purchase online, over the phone via (02) 6685 5115 or in person at our offices in Byron Bay.
All tickets are subject to booking fees. Find out more about ticket types on Our Tickets and Pricing Explained page.
*Sunday Local’s Passes are available to residents of the Byron, Ballina, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed council areas. These tickets are limited in number and available for purchase from the festival office or online (maximum two tickets per person); purchasers will need to present proof of address at the Festival gate. Supported by Stone & Wood.
** Children must be supervised by at least ONE adult at all times.
For full terms and conditions, click here.

Member benefits for the 2019 Festival

Not a member of Byron Writers Festival, or yet to renew your 2019 membership? Join today and save up to $74 on full price 3-Day passes. Other Festival member benefits include a special preview of the Full Program online and priority booking periods for Festival Satellite Events. Read the full list of annual Member benefits and click here to sign up now!

Never miss a beat

Sign up to our newsletter, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram as we continue to post Festival updates throughout the coming months.

Get a taste of the Festival

Never been and heard great things? Watch our show reel from last year’s Festival and relive the highlights with our 2018 photo gallery and podcast series.

Make a Donation

Did you know that Byron Writers Festival received relatively little public funding – under 20% of our total revenue – with a majority coming from people like you. To ensure we can continue to support and celebrate writers, readers and storytellers please make a donation today. As a not-for-profit organisation run with a small team of staff and volunteers, contributions of any size go a long way in enriching the creative culture of our community. Amounts over $2 are tax deductible. To find out more, click here.

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Get in touch if you require an interpreter:
[email protected]

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Byron Writers Festival is a non-profit organisation, and most of our revenue is self-generated – with a majority coming from Festival ticket sales. So each year we think carefully about how to make the Festival accessible to our audience, while also covering our costs.

We know that not everybody can afford (or wants) a 3-day pass. That’s why we have created a number of different ticket types – including our Sunday Locals’ and Sunday Family passes – so people from all walks of life can enjoy the stories, discussion and debate that make up the Festival program.

What type of ticket should I buy?

Byron Writers Festival is set up a bit like a music festival, with six stages that you can move between as you please, featuring panel discussions and conversations. If you buy a 3-Day pass or a 1-Day pass you will get access to all sessions happening in the main Festival program for your chosen days (for 3-Day pass holders that’s around 115+ sessions to choose from!).

Satellite Events are individually ticketed events during Festival week in venues across the region (a few of them are free). Access to Satellite Events is not included in 3-Day and 1-Day passes.

Ticket types and prices are explained here:

Extra Early Bird Tickets (1 – 7 April 2020)

Purchase your 3-day Pass at the lowest possible price. Extra Early Bird tickets give access to Festival sessions in the main program, excluding workshops and separately ticketed events. Please note no guests will be announced when Extra Early Bird tickets go on sale.

3-Day Extra Early Bird Pass: $225 Members / $265 General

Early Bird Tickets (20 – 26 May, 2020)

Our second release of discounted 3-day Passes, with first guests announced. Early Bird tickets give access to Festival sessions in the main program, excluding workshops and separately ticketed events.

3-Day Early Bird Pass: $235 Members / $275 General

General Release Tickets (from 24 June, 2020)

If you would rather wait until the full program is announced before you commit, you can choose from our full suite of general release tickets. These tickets give access to Festival sessions in the main program, excluding workshops and separately ticketed events.

3-Day Pass: $255 Members / $299 General
1-Day Pass: $110 Members / $135 General

Sunday Locals’ pass, discounted price (from 20 – 26 May)

Looking after our locals in 2019! Discounted tickets for Sunday – save $55 per ticket – available to residents of the Byron, Ballina, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed council areas. Tickets are available for purchase online, over the phone or from the festival office. Purchasers will need to present proof of address (maximum two tickets per person) upon ticket collection at the Festival Box Office. Limited release, available until sold out. Supported by Stone & Wood

Sunday Pass: $80 General

Workshop and Satellite Event tickets

A program of separately ticketed workshops and Satellite events – some of them free – runs in the lead-up to the main Festival weekend and on weekend evenings. Ticket prices vary and details will be released when the full program is announced in June.

All tickets are subject to booking fees.

About the day

Byron Writers Festival invites your school to participate in our annual Primary School Days Program. Inspiring, fun-filled and creative sessions with some of Australia’s best loved authors.

When & Where: Select the session your school would like to attend:

Tuesday 30 July – Lismore City Hall (Norpa) or Murwillumbah Civic Centre
Wednesday 31 July – Byron Bay (High School Auditorium) morning or afternoon session
Thursday 1 August – Grafton (Saraton Theatre)

Cost: $10 per student / session

Sessions are 2 hours long and run in the morning and afternoon. Refer to the program below or download a Program PDF.

How to make a booking for your school

Click ‘Book Now’ to reserve the number of tickets required for your school. We urge you to determine your school’s numbers as soon as possible, as PLACES ALWAYS FILL UP FAST.
You may pay the booking fee immediately, or you may opt to receive an invoice.
After booking, we will send you a booking confirmation including your invoice if applicable, book order forms and a checklist to help you prepare for the day. (Payment can be made via credit card at the time of booking, or by credit card, EFT or cheque, to secure your students’ places).

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COVID-19 Update

In light of current public health advice regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Writers on the Road regional tour (30 March – 3 April) will be rescheduled to later in the year. Please subscribe to our E-newsletter for updates.

Writers on the Road, the free Byron Writers Festival touring program, is taking the road less travelled this year with a crew of literary renegades. Acclaimed authors and artists on-board include Indigenous illustrator Dub Leffler, writer and recovering teacher Gabbie Stroud, bestselling author Kayte Nunn and Jewish, queer, non-binary writer Nevo Zisin. They are not scared to ask the dangerous questions, or to answer them, for that matter.

All events are free and open to the public. Bookings preferred.

Date and Venue details

Bellingen

Venue: Bellingen Library
Address: Hyde Street, Bellingen
Phone: (02) 6655 1744
Time: 5.30pm

Harwood

Venue: Harwood Hotel
Address: 2 Morpeth Street, Harwood
Phone: (02) 6646 4223
Time: 6.00pm

Evans Head

Venue: Evans Head Library
Address: Woodburn Street, Evans Head
Phone: (02) 6660 0374
Time: 5.30pm

Bonalbo

Venue: Bonalbo Memorial Hall
Address: Stratheden Street, Bonalbo
Time: 6.00pm

Byron Bay

Venue: The Book Room
Address: Fletcher Street, Byron Bay
Phone: 02 6685 8183
Time: 6.00pm

Dubb Leffler

Dubb Leffler

Descended from the Bigambul people of South-West Queensland, Dub Leffler is one of Australia’s most sought after illustrators of children’s literature. He has written two books for children and is currently illustrating his 23rd title. Dub’s work has afforded him travel to places as diverse as remote Australia, Europe, Indonesia and America and his illustrations are now in permanent collection in The National Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

In 2019, Dub won The Eve Pownall Award for Book of the Year from the Children’s Book Council of Australia, for Sorry Day. 2020 will see the release of two books Dub has illustrated – Rocky & Louie, written by Raewyn Caisley and Phil Walley-Stack, and Strangers On Country, written by Kirsty Murray and Dave Hartley. Dub is currently illustrating Our Dreaming written by Kirli Saunders.

Gabbie Stroud

Gabbie Stroud

Gabbie Stroud is a writer and recovering teacher. After years of juggling the demands of the primary classroom, she became disenchanted and disillusioned, eventually making the painful decision to leave the profession she had loved. In 2016, her critical commentary of Australia’s education system was published in Griffith Review’s Edition 51 Fixing the System, which went on to be shortlisted for a Walkley Award. Gabbie’s first novel, a Young Adult fiction—Measuring Up—was published by Scribe in 2009.

Gabbie’s smash-hit memoir Teacher was shortlisted for Biography Book of the Year at the 2018 ABIA Awards and has contributed to the national dialogue on education. Her latest book, Dear Parents, is a passionate call to arms for all parents. Gabbie lives on the far south coast of New South Wales, where she co-parents her totally awesome girls—Olivia and Sophie.

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Nevo Zisin

Nevo Zisin

Nevo Zison is a Jewish, queer, non-binary writer, performer, activist and public speaker based in Naarm/ Birraranga / Melbourne. They run workshops in schools and professional development trainings in workplaces around transgender identity & language. They are the author of award-winning Finding Nevo, a memoir on gender transition and a contributor to Kindred:12 Queer #LoveOzYA stories. They are a mentor for The Pinnacle Foundation, one of Out for Australia’s 30 Under 30 and a member of the Gender Euphoria cast – Australia’s largest all trans & gender diverse show on a main stage.

Kayte Nunn

Kayte Nunn

Kayte Nunn is a former book and magazine editor and is the international bestselling author of five novels, published in 12 countries. Her latest novel, The Silk House, will be published in August 2020 in Australia, and in 2021 in the UK.

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DIGITAL PROGRAM

Ordinarily at this time, we would all be gathering on Bundjalung Country in beautiful Byron Bay for three days of storytelling, conversation and ideas. But of course these are not ordinary times and this year’s Festival has regrettably been postponed until 6 – 8 August 2021.

For what would have been Festival week, we are delighted to share with you a very special podcast: the 2020 Thea Astley Address, delivered by one of Australia’s most eminent Indigenous academics and advocates, Professor Marcia Langton.

Also released for Festival week are several new Conversations from Byron podcasts, along with the release of our popular Schools Program (which is available to the general public for Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August only).

Tune in online at Byron WF Digital, or via your podcast app.

We hope you enjoy listening to these wonderful conversations with some of Australia’s foremost writers and thinkers, and we look forward to seeing you all next year on the Festival grounds in Byron Bay.

Take care,

Edwina Johnson and the Festival Team

As a not-for-profit organisation, our ticketing income is essential to the success of future Festivals. If you were planning to come to Byron Writers Festival this year, we invite you to consider making a donation instead.

Your gift will help us create a stand-out Festival in 2021, as well as supporting Australian writers, and the arts in regional Australia.

Donations can be made at:
givenow.com.au/byronwritersfestival

or alternatively you can contact us directly if you would like to talk to one of our team:
[email protected]
02 6685 5115

All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

The Festival Team all look forward to seeing you next year and thank you for your ongoing support.

DONATE NOW

Never miss a beat

Sign up to our newsletter, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram as we continue to post Festival updates throughout the coming months.

Get a taste of the Festival

Never been and heard great things? Watch our show reel from last year’s Festival and relive the highlights with our 2019 photo gallery and podcast series.

FESTIVAL BLOG

E-NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE

E-newsletter SUBSCRIBE

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VIEW FESTIVAL PROGRAM

WRITERS

David Leser interrogates his own privilege and role in the patriarchy as he explores misogyny and how history brought us to the #MeToo movement. To be launched by Vanessa Gorman.

When: Friday 2 August, 6.30pm—7.30pm
Venue: The Book Room, Byron Bay
Cost: Free, no bookings

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Tim Costello’s evocative memoir, A Lot with a Little, explores the people and experiences that have shaped him into a socially active fighter for the world’s most challenging issues. This is a book about faith and its power to sustain in the face of the world’s big issues.

When: Friday 2 August, 7pm—8pm
Venue: The Byron at Byron
Cost: $25

EVENT PARTNER The Byron at Byron

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Hung Le is a Vietnamese refugee who has no math, medical or musical abilities. To compensate, he has carved out an international career in comedy and playing the violin out of tune. He’s currently the world’s first, best and tallest Vietnamese comic and author who has never found his land legs.

When: Friday 2 August, 7pm—8pm
Venue: Byron Theatre
Cost: $25

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Join celebrated Australian foreign correspondent Peter Greste and stellar guests – incarcerated prize-winning writer Behrouz Boochani (live-streamed from Manus Island), his collaborator and translator Omid Tofighian with PEN International Chair and American-Mexican author Jennifer Clement in a pivotal discussion of the challenges to and seminal importance of press freedom.

When: Friday 2 August, 7—8.15pm
Venue: Banksia Pavilion, Elements of Byron Resort
Cost: $25 with a portion of proceeds donated to charity

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An edgy, provocative, funny play that challenges our feelings with cleverly crafted, insightful dialogue. It explores efforts to sustain our fragile world, our flawed relationships, and corruption of our institutions. Extinction is a must see!

When: Friday 2 & Saturday 3 August, 7.30pm. Sunday 4 August, 5.30pm
Venue: Drill Hall Mullumbimby
Cost: $30/22 (Friday, Saturday) or $40/32 (Sunday, inc. Q&A with Hannie and refreshments)

EVENT PARTNER Drill Hall Theatre

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From page to the stage, let the words take flight! Come experience a literary & loud line-up of some of Australia’s most vibrant performance and slam poets, who are all featured within the groundbreaking new spoken word anthology Solid Air. Featuring Pascalle Burton, Tug Dumbly, David Hallett, Melanie Mununggurr-Williams, Anisa Nandaula, Omar Sakr, David Stavanger, Anne-Marie Te Whiu, plus special feature sets by Tishani Doshi and champion beatboxer Hope One.

When: Friday 2 August, 8.30pm—9.30pm
Venue: Byron Theatre
Cost: $15

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A performance poetry competition for young people aged 10 to 18yrs. Entrants present a 2-minute spoken word poem on any theme. First prize $500.

When: Saturday 3 August, 3.30pm—4.30pm
Venue: Byron Bay Library
Cost: Entry is free
More info: [email protected]

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Featuring 2018 Australian Poetry Slam champion Melanie Mununggurr-Williams, with MC Miles Merril.

When: Saturday 3 August, 5.30pm—7.30pm
Venue: Byron Bay Library
Cost: Free, bookings essential
More info: australianpoetryslam.com

EVENT PARTNER Word Travels

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Ailsa Piper returns to Lismore Regional Gallery with a performance inspired by the current exhibition, Object Therapy. Using both found and crafted words, Ailsa will re-flect, re-mind and re-work the way you think about the place of things in your life.

When: Saturday 3 August, 6.30pm—7.30pm
Venue: Lismore Regional Gallery
Cost: Free, bookings essential

EVENT PARTNER Lismore Regional Gallery

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Fire has preoccupied American Professor Stephen Pyne for decades. He has published 35 books, mostly on fire (including Australia) but others on topics like Antarctica and the Grand Canyon. He brings to fire a deep comparative perspective and sense of history. He lives on a small urban farm in Arizona.

When: Saturday 3 August, 6.30pm—7.30pm
Venue: Byron Theatre
Cost: $25

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Story Club is a live, themed storytelling night featuring true, hilarious stories by some of Australia’s finest raconteurs. This edition, Working for the Man, features Benjamin Law, Scott Ludlam, Kate McClymont, Sisonke Msimang and Story Club co-creators Zoë Norton Lodge and Ben Jenkins.

When: Saturday 3 August, 8pm—9.15pm
Venue: Byron Theatre
Cost: $25

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Dominic Smith, the acclaimed author of The Last Painting of Sara de Vos, takes us back in time to the birth of cinema during a discussion of his research and experience writing his latest book The Electric Hotel.

When: Sunday 4 August, 11am—12pm
Venue: Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre
Cost: Free, bookings essential

EVENT PARTNER Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre

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The 27th anniversary of Writers at the Rails featuring Melanie Mununggurr-Williams, Tug Dumbly and David Hallett.

When: Sunday 4 August, 2.30pm—4.30pm
Venue: The Rails Hotel, Byron Bay
Cost: Free, no bookings

Prizes are generously sponsored by the Warrick Family, Hilarie Dunn and the Byron Writers Festival Jesse Blackadder Memorial Fund.

Susie Warrick was a much-loved staff member at the Northern Rivers Writers’ Centre (now Byron Writers Festival).

The Susie Warrick Young Writers Award was established to honour her memory, celebrate the art of the short story, and to support emerging young writers in furthering their career.

This year we have added a new Primary Category open to Stage 3 Primary students in memory of Jesse Blackadder, founder of the Byron Writers Festival’s StoryBoard Program.

And the winners are…

Thank you to all the young writers who entered the 2020 Susie Warrick Young Writers Award. We received 220 submissions across all categories, and the judges faced some tough decisions choosing winners from such an impressive field of entries. Our congratulations go to the winners and runners-up from each category, whose stories will be published on our website in the coming months.

Category 1 (Years 5 & 6)
Winner: Bird Whisperer by Erica Little
Equal 1st Runners up: Reflection by Cordelia Perritt, Protectors of the Outback by Josephine Payne

Category 2 (Years 7 & 8)
Winner: The Jump by Maya Rogers
1st Runner up: That’s how I found myself by Alessandra Wenban

Category 3 (Years 10 – 12)
Winner: Tea, Shivering, and Domes of Glass by Blaine Hall
1st Runner up: Madonna by Eden Annesley

Prizes include

A cash prize – (Category 1 – $300) (Category 2&3 – $500).
A StoryBoard Author workshop for their class in 2021 or for Senior Students completing High School in 2020 a 1:1 mentoring session with a Professional Author.
Byron Writers Festival Annual Organizational Membership for 2021 for your school or Double Membership for Senior Students completing school 2020.
Publication of your winning story in northerly, the quarterly magazine of the Byron Writers Festival.

A runner up from each category will also have their stories published in the Byron Writers Festival’s quarterly magazine, northerly.

If you have any enquires, please email [email protected]

Media enquiries

Clare McGregor Publicity
[email protected]
M: 0418 192 524

Festival 2019 Media Accreditation

Media Pass applications are now open.
Please fill out an online application here.

Marketing enquiries

Anika Ebner
Marketing and Communications Manager
[email protected]
P: (02) 6685 5115

Social Media

Follow and share posts via facebook, instagram and twitter. A Festival Blog will accompany the launch of the Full Program.
Our festival hashtag is #byronwf2020

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