Byron Writers Festival presents Gina Chick, the inaugural winner of Alone Australia, to share the story of her extraordinary, indomitable life in one of the most powerful, moving memoirs you will ever read, We Are the Stars.

When: Tuesday 22 October, 6:30pm (bar open from 5:30pm)
Where: A&I Hall, Bangalow
Tickets: $31.25 Members /$41.50 General

From day one of her wildly unconventional childhood, Gina Chick blazed her own trail, which led her to dance through the hidden world of ’90s Sydney nightlife into the arms of a conman. She fled to the wilderness to find healing, began a wondrous love affair with the deepest lessons life – and death – can offer, and found that all the answers are written in the wisdom of the body and the whirling silence of stars.

If you’re ready to get lost in jungles, wander into wolf-dens, sing with storms, rescue orphaned animals, dive to the depths, dance ’til your knees wobble, fall in love, find yourself by losing it all, and most of all be real; this book is for you.

We Are the Stars is a magic carpet ride through the exquisite mystery of the human heart. You’ve never read anything like it.

Join us for this very special conversation event, with GALAH editor Annabelle Hickson.

Byron Writers Festival presents two big book events this spring, with international bestselling author Jodi Picoult on Monday 21 October and Alone Australia winner and memoirist Gina Chick on Tuesday 22 October.

Held over two days, you are invited to attend one or both events, with a special discounted price when you book for both.

Double Feature Deal: $57.38 Members /$77.88 General

In conjunction with Allen and Unwin, Byron Writers Festival is pleased to welcome Jodi Picoult back to Australia for her first tour since 2016. Join us for an evening with the #1 New York Times bestselling author of thirty novels, as she discusses her brilliant new novel, By Any Other Name.

When: Monday 21 October, 6:30pm (bar open from 5:30pm)
Where: A&I Hall, Bangalow
Tickets: $31.25 Members /$41.50 General

By Any Other Name is a captivating novel about two women, centuries apart, fighting to be heard—one of whom may be the real author of Shakespeare’s plays—from the New York Times bestselling author of Mad Honey

In 1581, Emilia Bassano—like most young women of her day—is allowed no voice of her own. But as the Lord Chamberlain’s mistress, she has access to all theatre in England, and finds a way to bring her work to the stage secretly. And yet, creating some of the world’s greatest dramatic masterpieces comes at great cost: by paying a man for the use of his name, she will write her own out of history.

In the present, playwright Melina Green has just written a new work inspired by the life of her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano. Although the challenges are different four hundred years later, the playing field is still not level for women in theatre. Would Melina—like Emilia—be willing to forfeit her credit as author, just for a chance to see her work performed?

Told in intertwining narratives, this sweeping tale of ambition, courage, and desire asks what price each woman is willing to pay to see their work live on—even if it means they will be forgotten.

Join this beloved international author for a thrilling night of conversation, with Jill Eddington.