About the speakers

Sarah Armstrong

Sarah Armstrong has written five novels – including Salt Rain, shortlisted for the Miles Franklin – and, most recently, two stories for young readers: Big Magic and Magic Awry.

Eliza Henry-Jones

Eliza Henry-Jones is an author based on a small flower farm on Wurundjeri land. She has published five novels, most recently Salt and Skin.

Holly Ringland

Holly Ringland is a writer, storyteller, and television presenter. The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding was an instant national bestseller.

Kári Gíslason

Kári Gíslason is a writer and academic. His latest book, The Sorrow Stone, is an historical novel that reimagines one of the medieval Icelandic sagas.

About the speakers

Shirley Le

Shirley Le is a Vietnamese Australian writer and a member of Sweatshop: Western Sydney Literacy Movement. Funny Ethnics is her first novel.

Myf Warhurst

Myf Warhurst is a much-loved journalist, TV host, radio presenter, podcaster, Eurovision Song Contest host and Spicks & Specks team captain. Time of My Life is her first book.

Oliver Phommavanh

Oliver Phommavanh is an author, comedian and primary school teacher. His latest book is What About Thao.

Mandy Nolan

Mandy Nolan is a stand-up comedian, feminist, activist, mother of five and author who ran for the Greens in Richmond at the last Federal election, narrowly missing out on becoming the MP for that electorate. She wants to change the world by changing minds – one joke at a time.

About the speakers

Jacinta Parsons

Jacinta Parsons is a broadcaster, writer and public speaker who currently hosts the Afternoon program on ABC Local Radio Melbourne. She has just released her second book, A Question of Age: Women, ageing and the forever self.

Tracey Spicer

Tracey Spicer is a Walkley Award-winning journalist whose latest book is Man-Made: How the bias of the past is being built into the future.

Susan Johnson

Novelist Susan Johnson has turned to memoir with Aphrodite’s Breath, which exposes the struggles and joys of moving to a Greek island with her 85-year-old mother, Barbara, without a word of Greek.

About the speakers

Bebe Backhouse

Bebe Backhouse is an award-winning writer and a descendant of the Bardi Jawi people of Broome. His debut poetry collection, more than these bones, was released in March 2023.

Nakkiah Lui

Gamilaroi/Torres Strait Islander woman Nakkiah Lui is the co-writer and star of Black Comedy, and co-host of the podcast Pretty for an Aboriginal. She manages Joan, an Allen & Unwin imprint.

Maxine Beneba Clarke

Maxine Beneba Clarke is the award-winning author of more than 10 books, including her recent poetry collection, It’s the Sound of the Thing: 100 new poems for young people.

Cheryl Leavy

Kooma and Nguri woman Cheryl Leavy is an Executive Director within Queensland Government working on First Nations Policy and a member of the Brisbane Writers Festival board.

About the speakers

Susan Johnson

Novelist Susan Johnson has turned to memoir with Aphrodite’s Breath, which exposes the struggles and joys of moving to a Greek island with her 85-year-old mother, Barbara, without a word of Greek.

Maggie MacKeller

Maggie MacKellar is a writer and farmer. Her most recent book is Graft: motherhood, family and a year on the land. She lives in Tasmania/Lutruwita.

Peter Polites

Peter Polites is a novelist from Western Sydney. He has written two queer noirs, Down the Hume and The Pillars. His forthcoming novel is God Forgets About the Poor.

Jill Eddington

Jill Eddington is an avid reader and a lover of Australian writing. She is a former publisher and director of literature at the Australian Council for the Arts.

About the speakers

Sandra Thom-Jones

Sandra Thom-Jones is an autistic author, artisan, academic and advocate. She is the author of Growing in to Autism, and a passionate champion for the inclusion of autistic people in all aspects of society.

Mandy Nolan

Mandy Nolan is a stand-up comedian, feminist, activist, mother of five and author who ran for the Greens in Richmond at the last Federal election, narrowly missing out on becoming the MP for that electorate. She wants to change to world by changing minds – one joke at a time.

About the speakers

Robert Waldinger

Robert Waldinger is Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and co-author of The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness.

James Kirby

James Kirby is a clinical psychologist, senior lecturer, and director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland.

Hilton Koppe

Hilton Koppe is an educator, doctor, podcaster and now published author. His debut book is One Curious Doctor: A Memoir of Medicine, Migration and Mortality.

David Roland

Dr David Roland is a writer and psychologist whose work is informed by his lived experience and professional training. His latest book is The Power of Suffering.

About the speakers

Marele Day

Marele Day is an award-winning author of novels including the bestselling Lambs of God. Her latest book, Reckless, is a memoir.

Susan Johnson

Novelist Susan Johnson has turned to memoir with Aphrodite’s Breath, which exposes the struggles and joys of moving to a Greek island with her 85-year-old mother, Barbara, without a word of Greek.

About the speakers

Bryan Brown

Iconic Australian actor Bryan Brown became an international success in the early ’80s with critical acclaim, appearing in more than 80 films. Sweet Jimmy is his first book.

Chris Hanley

Chris Hanley OAM is the Founder of Byron Writers Festival and was Chair for 20 years until 2016. He is the Principal of First National Byron.

About the speakers

Evelyn Araluen

Evelyn Araluen is a Bundjalung poet, researcher and co-editor of Overland Literary Journal. Her debut collection Dropbear won the 2022 Stella Prize.

Daniel Browning

Bundjalung and Kullilli man Daniel Browning is host of Radio National’s The Art Show. His first book, an anthology of essays on Indigenous art, cultural criticism and memoir, is forthcoming.

About the speakers

Hannah Kent

Hannah Kent is the bestselling author of Burial Rites, The Good People and Devotion. She lives and works on Peramangk and Kaurna Country.

Susan Wyndham

Susan Wyndham is a freelance journalist, book reviewer, and writer. She was literary editor of The Sydney Morning Herald for many years until 2017.

About the speakers

Trent Dalton

Trent Dalton is the bestselling author of Boy Swallows Universe, All Our Shimmering Skies, and Love Stories.

David Leser

David Leser is an award-winning journalist and author of seven books, including Women, Men and the Whole Damn Thing, which explores patriarchy and misogyny in the age of #MeToo.

About the speakers

Dylin Hardcastle

Dylin Hardcastle is a non-binary author, artist, screenwriter and former Provost’s Scholar at the University of Oxford. They are based on Bundjalung Country. Below Deck is their most recent book.

Kathryn Heyman

Kathryn Heyman is the award-winning author of six novels and the acclaimed memoir Fury. She is also the director of the Australian Writers Mentoring Program.

Jess Hill

Jess Hill is a Walkley award-winning journalist and the author of See What You Made Me Do, and The Reckoning in Quarterly Essay 84.

Gina Rushton

Gina Rushton is a journalist, editor and author of The Most Important Job in the World.

About the speakers

David Leser

David Leser is an award-winning journalist and author of seven books, including Women, Men and the Whole Damn Thing, which explores patriarchy and misogyny in the age of #MeToo.

Yves Rees

Dr Yves Rees is a historian at La Trobe University, co-host of Archive Fever podcast, and author of All About Yves: Notes from a Transition.

Mariam Veiszadeh

Mariam Veiszadeh is a human rights advocate, lawyer, writer and media commentator. Born in Afghanistan, Mariam came to Australia as a refugee with her family in 1990.

Jess Hill

Jess Hill is a Walkley award-winning journalist and the author of See What You Made Me Do, and The Reckoning in Quarterly Essay 84.

About the speakers

Judy Atkinson

Professor Judy Atkinson identifies as a Jiman/Bundjalung woman. Her book Trauma Trails – Recreating Songlines: The transgenerational effects of Trauma in Indigenous Australia, was released in 2002.

Paul Callaghan

Dr Paul Callaghan is an Aboriginal man belonging to the land of the Worimi people. His recently released book is The Dreaming Path.

Marcia Langton

Professor Marcia Langton AO is one of the nation’s most important Indigenous voices. She has written several books, including her bestselling guide to Indigenous Australia, Welcome to Country.

Cheryl Leavy

Kooma and Nguri woman Cheryl Leavy is an Executive Director of the Queensland Government working on First Nations Policy and a member of the Brisbane Writers Festival board.

About the speakers

Van Badham

Van Badham is an internationally award-winning writer and theatre maker. Her newest book, Qanon And On is a history of internet conspiracy cults.

Tim Burrows

Tim Burrowes is author of Media Unmade, the definitive story of Australia’s media over the last decade. He edits media industry analysis newsletter Unmade, and founded Mumbrella.

Ed Coper

Ed Coper is a leading communications expert and author of Facts and Other Lies: Welcome to the Disinformation Age.

Margaret Simons

Margaret Simons is an award-winning freelance journalist and author. Her latest book is Penny Wong: Passion and Principle.

About the speakers

A.C. Grayling

A.C. Grayling is the author of more than 30 books of philosophy, biography, history of ideas, and essays. His latest book is For the Good of the World.

Mia Thom

Mia Thom is a Bundjalung climate activist, a co-organiser of the school strike for climate movement within the Byron Shire.

Damon Gameau

Damon Gameau is a filmmaker, author and environmental educator. His documentary 2040 explores solutions to improve our planet. His most recent project is Regenerating Australia.

Anne-Marie Te Whiu

Anne-Marie Te Whiu (Te Rarawa) is a poet, weaver, cultural producer and festival director, having edited Tony Birch’s Whisper Songs and co-edited Solid Air.

Luka Lesson

Luka Lesson is a rapper, poet and educator of Greek heritage from Australia born in Meanjin / Brisbane. Luka is a former Australian Poetry Slam Champion, has performed with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and toured with rapper Akala (UK) and philosopher Dr Cornel West (USA) among others.

About the authors

Bronwyn Adcock

Bronwyn Adcock has been a journalist for 25 years. Her book, Currowan, blends memoir, reportage and analysis as she tracks the path of a devastating bushfire.

Joëlle Gergis

Dr Joëlle Gergis is an award-winning climate scientist and author. Her latest book is Humanity’s Moment: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope.

Gabrielle Chan

Gabrielle Chan is rural and regional editor of Guardian Australia. Her latest book is Why You Should Give a F**k About Farming.

The exchange of stories and ideas sustains us in challenging times. Now more than ever we are relying on your support to help us continue celebrating Australian stories and literature, enhancing the skills of local writers, and nurturing the next generation of readers and writers. 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. Thank you.

About the authors

Damon Gameau

Damon Gameau is a filmmaker, author and environmental educator. His documentary 2040 explores solutions to improve our planet. His most recent project is Regenerating Australia.

Saul Griffith

Saul Griffith is an inventor, engineer, Founder and Chief Scientist of Otherlab, and the author of The Big Switch – Australia’s Electric Future.

Tim Hollo

A highly regarded environmentalist, community builder and musician, Tim Hollo is Executive Director of the Green Institute. Living Democracy is his first book.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson is a best-selling author, podcaster, thought leader, philanthropist and climate adviser. Her most recent book is This One Wild & Precious Life.

The exchange of stories and ideas sustains us in challenging times. Now more than ever we are relying on your support to help us continue celebrating Australian stories and literature, enhancing the skills of local writers, and nurturing the next generation of readers and writers. 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. Thank you.