July 14, 2022
Wondering which ticket is right for you? Read on for our quick guide to the 2022 Byron Writers Festival.
News & Editorial
June 21, 2022
Byron Writers Festival 2022 (26 — 28 August) has revealed a taste of things to come with a tantalizing first announce of incredible guests, and with that comes a fresh stack of books to add to your bedside table. We invite you to treat yourself to some new reads from some of Australia’s best authors.
March 21, 2022
Please join us in welcoming our new Artistic Director Zoë Pollock, who will helm the 2022 Festival. This coincides with the departure this month of the Festival’s Director, Edwina Johnson, who is widely acknowledged as one of Australia’s arts leaders.
January 25, 2022
Congratulations to the recipients of the Write North Residency - Vanessa Berry, Belinda Castles and Beth Yahp who will join Charlotte Wood for a week of writing in the Byron Bay Hinterland.
September 1, 2021
Introducing the runner up story of the Jesse Blackadder Prize 2021, The Thief written by Caleb Scherrer.
September 1, 2021
Introducing this year’s Susie Warrick Young Writers Award Category 2 runner up story, The Alley by Elise Nikkinen.
September 1, 2021
Introducing this year’s Susie Warrick Young Writers Award Category 1 runner up story, I Do Not Know Which to Prefer by Saoirse Chu.
August 31, 2021
In the wake of the cancellation of Byron Writers Festival for a second year in succession, 'northerly' contributor Rebecca Ryall, who was scheduled to be our on-the-ground reporter at the event, has conjured an imagined, envisioned Festival round-up, based on this year’s stellar line-up.
July 7, 2021
In celebration of NAIDOC week, we shine a light on the voices of Australia’s eminent and emerging First Nations writers who will share and amplify their stories at the Festival site on Arakwal country, where stories have been told for thousands of years.
July 7, 2021
Ahead of his appearance at Byron Writers Festival 2021, author Kaya Wilson discusses his acclaimed memoir of gender transition and identity, As Beautiful as Any Other: A Memoir of My Body, and how his day job as a tsunami scientist crosses over with his writing.
July 7, 2021
First-time author Madeleine Ryan’s novel A Room Called Earth is a sensitive, humorous and lively exploration of neurodiversity, belonging, family and identity. Katinka Smit speaks with her.
July 1, 2021
Christopher Raja’s landmark memoir Into the Suburbs: A Migrant’s Story is an examination of race, class, migration and tragedy through a deeply personal lens. Here he offers his thoughts on the gestation and process of writing the book, prior to his appearance at Byron Writers Festival 2021.
July 1, 2021
Byron Writers Festival is a 3-day feast for the brain and soul. With more than 150 speakers appearing in 115 sessions over three days (6-8 August) the only problem you’ll have is choosing which sessions to see! Read on for some daily highlights that will enlighten and inspire.
May 27, 2021
Looking for some escapist reading from the couch? We asked around the office what everyone is devouring at the moment, and their take on the story so far. Here's our list. Enjoy!
May 20, 2021
Take a seat as we introduce six writers to kick off the 2021 Byron Writers Festival Line-up. We invite you to join us this 6-8 August for a three-day festival of ideas, conversation and storytelling in one of the world’s most beautiful coastal locations.
May 11, 2021
Byron Writers Festival commences Restart Programs. In late April StoryBoard authors, new and old, came together to elevate their presentations and workshops in order to maximise their effectiveness and positive impact on students. The three-day workshop was a result of the Create NSW grant, which aims to support and (safely) restart the arts and cultural sectors.
March 1, 2021
Byron Writers Festival announces new Restart Residential Retreats. The Restart program is funded by Create NSW, who have granted Byron Writers Festival $185,000 to be dispersed to NSW writers, illustrators and creatives. This grant will be disbursed in residencies as well as free workshops for NSW writers and illustrators of all description.
December 16, 2020
Vale the incomparable Mungo MacCallum. Mungo was closely involved with Byron Writers Festival since its inception and will be fondly remembered by Festival audiences as the instigator of lively, irreverent discussion, often with a glass of red wine in hand. Thank you to Russell Eldridge for writing this wonderful tribute to his extraordinary life and work.
December 14, 2020
Looking for some escapist reading from the couch? We asked around the office what everyone is devouring at the moment, and their take on the story so far. Here's our list. Enjoy!
November 30, 2020
Byron Writers Festival is looking for Northern NSW published authors and illustrators to join an existing professional author team for its StoryBoard schools program.