About Us

Meet

The Team

Byron Writers Festival is a member-based organisation administered by a dedicated team. Under the spirited guidance of Director Edwina Johnson, our aim is to offer a yearly program of engaging literary events and workshops.

With sincere thanks to our amazing 2021 Festival contractors: Mic Deacon (Site & AV Manager), Shien Chee (Head of Production), Clare McGregor (Publicist), Clare Sawyer (Schools Manager), Zacharey Jane (Writers on the Road), Megan Louis (Graphic Designer), Amy Shaw (Assistant Site Manager) and Ash Cassel (Production Assistant).

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Director

Edwina Johnson

Edwina has been immersed in the world of literature and publishing for more than 20 years. She joined Byron Writers Festival as Director in 2013.
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Head of Operations

Sarah Ma

Sarah has been associated with Byron Writers Festival for over ten years, first through her work as a travel and ticketing agent before taking on the role of Operations Manager in 2008.
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Head of Development

Emma Keenan

Emma joined the Byron Writers Festival team as Partnership Manager in 2016. Emma has twenty years of experience in sales and marketing for music and media organisations.
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Marketing & Communications

Anika Ebner

Anika is a brand and communications strategist with fifteen years’ experience implementing brand, communications and website projects. She joined the Byron Writers Festival team in 2016.
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Festival Administrator

Emily Brugman

After interning at Byron Writers Festival Emily joined the permanent team in 2018 as Festival Administrator focusing on Schools Days and Ticketing. She studied Writing and Cultural Studies at UTS and completed her Honours year at SCU. She has had her writing published in various magazines and journals.
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Project Manager, StoryBoard

Sue Andersen

Sue is the Project Manager for StoryBoard, Byron Writers Festival’s travelling creative writing and literacy program for children and young people in the Northern Rivers.
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Partnerships Coordinator

Aarna Hudson

Aarna joined the Byron Writers Festival team as Partnership Coordinator in 2019, after managing the Artisan Markets for the festival in 2017 and 2018.
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Travel Manager

Cherrie Sheldrick

Cherrie Sheldrick is our Travel and Ticketing Manager. She has been with Byron Writers Festival for 19 years.