Festival Program

Women & Children* (1)

9.00am – 10.00am | Acacia
Join award-winning author Tony Birch to discuss his fifth novel, Women & Children, a story about the love and courage between two sisters, and a sudden loss of childhood innocence, from one of this country’s most loved and clear-eyed storytellers. With Grace Lucas-Pennington. *This session has been cancelled, Tony Birch is unable to attend the festival. True Crime (session 5) will take place here on the Acacia marquee.

Women Make History (2)

9.15am – 10.15am | Hakea
Acclaimed historical fiction writers Meg Keneally (Free) and Victoria Purman (The Radio Hour) discuss their latest novels inspired by historical figures and actual events – with women at their heart. With Mary Spongberg.
Supported by Southern Cross University.

ABC North Coast Live Broadcast (3)

8.30am – 10.00am | Melaleuca
David Lindenmayer, William McInnes, Nova Weetman, Candice Fox, Daniel Browning, Kate Fullagar

Becoming Murdoch (4)

8.45am – 9.45am | Lilly Pilly
The Murdoch media empire and its patriarch have global influence on markets and politics. But how did it all start, and how did Murdoch become the man he is today? Join journalist and critic Walter Marsh (Young Rupert) and Crikey owner and ex-News Corp and Fairfax editor Eric Beecher (The Men Who Killed the News) for an exploration of the man behind the empire. With Julianne Schultz.
Supported by Greenstone Partners.

True Crime* (5)

9.00am – 10.00am | Acacia
Delve into the murky underworld of true crime with intrepid journalists and authors Matthew Condon and Gideon Haigh. What drew Gideon to the disappearance of nineteen-year-old nurse on an ocean liner in 1949? And what revelations have followed in the decade since Matthew’s incendiary Three Crooked Kings? With Nell Schofield. *This session will now take place on the Acacia marquee.

Wisdom of the Elders (98)

10.00am -11.00am | The Coolamon
Learn from the wisdom of the Elders in this special festival event. Join Arakwal custodian Delta Kay and proud Nyikina man and author Wayne Bergmann in an interactive cultural conversation, led by Muruwari writer Jane Harrison.
Supported by Blak & Bright.

Politics and Desire (6)

10.15am – 11.15am | Acacia
In her latest poetry collection, Tomorrow Someone Will Arrest You, Indian writer and activist Meena Kandasamy explores sex, desire, family and issues of caste, refugees, and freedom of expression with grace and defiance. With Claire Nichols.
Supported by Vasudhara & ABC Radio National’s The Book Show.

Holding Power to Account (7)

10.30am – 11.30am | Hakea
How can communities take environmental and social justice causes to the courts – and win? Hear from experts Merinda Dutton, David Lindenmayer and Isabelle Reinecke about navigating the justice system to fight for our rights. With David Heilpern.
Supported by Southern Cross University.

Life on the Page: Writing Memoir (8)

10.00am – 11.30am | Lilly Pilly 
In writing one’s life, where do you begin and what – if anything – is concealed? Join memoirists Kris Kneen, William McInnes and Nova Weetman for an intimate exploration of putting their life on the page. With Alan Close.
Supported by Byron Homestead.

Kin & Community (9)

10.15am – 11.15am | A&I Hall
From chosen families to finding our personal village, how have families and communities changed over time? Authors Kon Karapanagiotidis, Marina Kamenev and Molly Schmidt discuss the ways that we make and find our closest kin. With Rosemarie Milsom.
Supported by Byron Shire Council.

Songs for the Dead and the Living (10)

11.30am – 12.30pm | Acacia
Songs for the Dead and the Living is a coming-of-age tale played out across generations and continents, from Palestine to Australia. Join acclaimed writer and human-rights activist Sara M Saleh to discuss her breathtaking portrait of the fragilities and flaws of family in the wake of war, and the love it takes to overcome great loss. *This session has been cancelled, Sara Saleh is unable to attend the festival. History: Facts & Fictions (session 14) will take place here on the Acacia marquee.

Fantasy Worlds (11)

11.45am – 12.45pm | Hakea
Join bestselling fantasy authors Lynette Noni (The Prison Healer) and Lili Wilkinson (Deep Is the Fen) for a journey through their latest worldbending books, centred on powerful female protagonists working against systems of corruption. With Rhianna Patrick.

Always Will Be (12)

11.00am – 12.00pm | Melaleuca
In her stunningly inventive and thought-provoking collection Always Will Be, Mykaela Saunders poses the question: what might country, community and culture look like in the Tweed if Gooris reasserted their sovereignty? With Daniel Browning.

Self-publishing (13)

11.15am – 12.15pm | Lilly Pilly
Is there a way to get your story out there without a traditional publisher? Learn how to publish your own books with self-published author Jessica Mudditt in conversation with Anna Featherstone.
Supported by IngramSpark.

History: Facts & Fictions (14)

11.30am – 12.30pm | Acacia 
How much of what we think we know about history is incomplete, and what if the dominant story we’ve been told isn’t strictly the facts? Join writers and historians Sarah Percy, Kate Fullagar and David Marr to delve into the true stories that shape who we are and the way we understand our world. With Walter Marsh. *This session will now take place on the Acacia Marquee.

Feminist Literatures (15)

12.45pm – 1.45pm | Acacia
Join three superstars of the festival to discuss the influences on their work and the way gender, race and class struggles inform their literary practice. Through fiction and poetry Caoilinn Hughes, Meena Kandasamy and Melissa Lucashenko address some of the most pertinent social and political issues today. With Ashley Hay.
Supported by Vasudhara.

Prima Facie (16)

1.00pm – 2.00pm | Hakea
Drawn from the internationally acclaimed play, Prima Facie is a propulsive, raw look at the price victims pay for speaking out and the system that sets them up to fail. Join author and playwright Suzie Miller in conversation with Guardian culture editor Steph Harmon.

The Visitors (17)

12.15pm – 1.15pm | Melaleuca 
One day in January 1788, seven Aboriginal men gather as newly arrived ships are sighted in the great bay. What will be the men’s response to these visitors? Join award-winning novelist and playwright Jane Harrison to discuss her powerful re-imagining of a crucial moment in Australia’s history. With Karen Wyld.

Ethics in Crime Writing (18)

12.30pm – 1.30pm | Lilly Pilly
What are the ethical considerations when making fiction out of the darkest days in people’s lives? How far is too far to go in the name of research? Acclaimed writers Matthew Condon, Candice Fox and Benjamin Stevenson discuss how they manage moral complexities to write great, gripping fiction. With Rosemarie Milsom.

Publishing: An Insider’s View (99)

1.00pm – 2.00pm | The Coolamon
Join literary agent Alex Adsett and Pantera Press publisher Lex Hirst for a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry. From slush piles to royalties, gain an insider’s guide to getting published. With Victoria Purman.

A Seat at My Table: Philoxenia (19)

12.45pm – 1.45pm | A&I Hall
Join Kon Karapanagiotidis at his table in A Seat at My Table: Philoxenia, a beautiful and inspiring Greek vegetarian and vegan cookbook. Featuring more than 100 recipes passed down through the generations, this book will teach you to cook with community at your heart. With Nell Schofield.

Question 7 (20)

2.00pm – 3.00pm | Acacia
Beginning at a love hotel by Japan’s Inland Sea and ending by a river in Tasmania, Question 7 is about the choices we make about love and the chain reaction that follows. Join Booker Prize-winning author Richard Flanagan to discuss this love song to his island home and to his parents, in a melding of dream, history, place and memory. With Kerry O’Brien.

Red Room Poetry Month Showcase (21)

2.15pm – 3.15pm | Hakea
Celebrate national Poetry Month with this exciting performance event. Hear from acclaimed poets Jazz Money, Anne-Marie Te Whiu, Luka Lesson, Ella Bancroft, Ali Cobby Eckermann, and Tayi Tibble (NZ). Hosted by Nicole Smede.
Supported by Red Room Poetry.

Coming of Age Stories (22)

1.30pm – 2.30pm | Melaleuca
Join two of the festival’s brightest debut authors, Graham Akhurst (Borderland) and Steph Tisdell (The Skin I’m In), about their beautiful and complex Young Adult novels. Telling stories of Indigenous identity, and cultural and personal expectations, discover a new world of fiction about growing up and discovering who you are. With Amy Lovat.
Supported by Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Powerful Short Stories (23)

1.45pm – 2.45pm | Lilly Pilly
How do writers create whole, absorbing worlds within the slightest word counts? And what can short stories do that novels can’t? Delight in the economy and profundity of the short form with award-winning short story writers Yumna Kassab, Laura Jean McKay and Mykaela Saunders. With Sana Qadar.

Writing Byron (100)

2.30pm – 3.30pm | The Coolamon
Byron Bay is known internationally for our beautiful beaches, culture, and lifestyle – and is the inspiration for numerous books. Join Annika Johansson (Downstream) and P.A. Thomas (The Beacon) for an insightful discussion about their latest homegrown novels. With Mick O’Regan.

Home to Biloela (24)

2.00pm – 3.00pm | A&I Hall
In Home to Biloela, Priya Nadesalingam shared her story of fleeing war-torn Sri Lanka and making a new life in Australia, only for the government to attempt to deport the family in 2018. But the people of Biloela wouldn’t have it. Rebekah Holt, the only journalist to gain regular access to the country’s onshore detention centres, recounts the fight to keep them home. With Nadine J. Cohen. *Please note Priya Nadesalingam is unable to attend the festival

Hard by a Great Forest (25)

3.15pm – 4.15pm | Acacia
Saba is a child when he flees the fighting in the Soviet Republic of Georgia with his brother and father for England. Two decades later, all three struggle to make peace with the past. Join Leo Vardiashvili to discuss Hard by a Great Forest, a powerful and hopeful novel about the trauma of war, and the indomitable spirit to survive. With Jennifer Byrne.
Supported by Greenstone Partners.

Planet Ocean (26)

3.30pm – 4.30pm | Hakea
The ocean has shaped and sustained life on Earth from the beginning of time. Explore the deepest recesses of our natural world, and its role in humanity’s and our planet’s future, with author James Bradley, climate scientist Joëlle Gergis, and oceanographer Daniel Harrison. With Courtney Miller.
Supported by Southern Cross University.

Split: Living with Multiple Personality Disorder (27)

2.45pm – 3.45pm | Melaleuca
How does a child survive years of unimaginable abuse? She splits. And splits again. And again. Join Maggie Walters for an insightful discussion about her memoir, Split – A Life Shared: Living with Multiple Personality Disorder. With Anna Featherstone.
Supported by Bold Authors.

Re-writing Colonials Myths (28)

3.00pm – 4.oopm | Lilly Pilly
How do writers approach the stories of this continent when so much of its colonial history has been missing or distorted? Join Melissa Lucashenko (Edenglassie) and Kate Fullagar (Bennelong and Phillip) for a discussion of the writing and re-writing of history in literature. With Walter Marsh.

Elite Privilege (29)

3.15pm – 4.15pm | A&I Hall
Join ethicist Clive Hamilton and investigative journalist Louise Milligan as they examine the elite private school and the role these powerful institutions play in Australian society as a training ground for tomorrow’s leaders in government and business. With Royce Kurmelovs.

Imperial Harvest (30)

4.30pm – 5.30pm | Acacia
Discover the new fiction title from bestselling author Bruce Pascoe. In Imperial Harvest, Yen Se has lost everything to the Khan’s brutality. Left with one eye and one arm, he moves across Europe with the men and women who dare to dream of peace. With Grace Lucas-Pennington.

Democracy Under Threat (31)

4.45pm – 5.45pm | Hakea
In The Men Who Killed The News, Crikey owner and ex-News Corp and Fairfax editor Eric Beecher lifts the lid on the abuse of power by media moguls – from William Randolph Hearst to Elon Musk – and on his own experience of working for (and being sued by) the Murdochs. With John Lyons.
Supported by The Echo.

Anthologies: One Vision, Many Voices (32)

4.00pm – 5.00pm | Melaleuca
How does an editor curate a collection of stories and poems? How is a singular vision, or multiplicity, realised? Delve into two beautiful anthologies featuring First Nations writers, with The Rocks Remain, edited by Karen Wyld, and This All Come Back Now, edited by Mykaela Saunders. With Anne-Marie Te Whiu.

Sisters (33)

4.15pm – 5.15pm | Lilly Pilly
Sisters are rich ground for novelists, offering complex and compelling dynamics to explore familial and romantic relationships, social and political issues, and time periods. Join Caoilinn Hughes (The Alternatives) and Nadine J. Cohen (Everyone and Everything) to discuss the roles of literary siblings in their works and the canon. With Sarah Armstrong.

Australian Poetry Slam – Byron Heat (S)

4.00pm – 5.30pm | The Coolamon
Australian Poetry Slam 2024 invites you to cheer, snap, and hold-up scorecards in this nation-wide celebration of spoken-wordsmiths. Judges, chosen from the audience, will send two poetic messengers to represent Byron in the NSW State Final! Are you the next APS Champion?
Hosted by Miles Merrill. Featuring current APS Champions Rob Waters & K.J. Hayward.

Sassafras (34)

4.30pm – 5.30pm | A&I Hall
Byron Writers Festival is thrilled to present the launch of Sassafras!
Renowned sociologist and author Rebecca Huntley didn’t know what ailed her, but she knew it was embedded deep within her mind – and her past. Sassafras is the story of Rebecca’s quest to overcome trauma via the use of MDMA treatment that is now legal, yet still controversial. Join Rebecca Huntley for the launch of Sassafras with Steph Harmon.

Stone Yard Devotional (35)

9.00am – 10.00am | Acacia
Join Charlotte Wood to discuss her latest novel Stone Yard Devotional – longlisted for the 2024 Miles Franklin Award – a deeply moving novel about forgiveness, grief, and what it means to be ‘good’, from the award-winning author of The Natural Way of Things and The Weekend. With Rosemarie Milsom.
Supported by Elements of Byron.

Animals, Us and Them (36)

9.15am – 10.15am | Hakea
Whether as pets, companions, aids, property, or food, animals are deeply linked to human beings. Join prize-winning novelists James Bradley (Deep Water), Laura Jean McKay (Gunflower) and ethicist Peter Singer (The Buddhist and the Ethicist) to discuss how we depict animals in literature and value them in our lives. With David Roland.

Hazzard and Harrower (37)

9.00am – 10.00am | Melaleuca
Shirley Hazzard and Elizabeth Harrower met in person in 1972, six years after they began a correspondence that would span decades, exchanging letters between Harrower’s home in Sydney and Hazzard’s apartments in New York, Naples and Capri. Edited by Brigitta Olubas and Susan Wyndham, Hazzard and Harrower is an extraordinary account of two literary luminaries. Brigitta Olubas is in conversation with Suzy Freeman-Greene.
Supported by The Book Room.

Family Ties (38)

8.45am – 9.45am | Lilly Pilly
Join talented novelists Sarah Sasson (Tidelines), Jessie Tu (The Honeyeater), and Karen Viggers (Sidelines) to discuss the ways that families inspire and bind us. Whether between mothers and daughters, siblings, or parents, family relationships help us understand ourselves, our pasts and futures, and our worlds. With Zacharey Jane.

Coffee & Papers (39)

8.45am – 9.45am | A&I Hall
Start your Saturday at the festival over coffee and the week’s news with journalists and authors Clive Hamilton (The Privileged Few), Marina Kamenev (Kin: Family in the 21st century), and Isabelle Reinecke (Courting Power). With Royce Kurmelovs.
Supported by The Saturday Paper.

Good Mourning podcast (101)

9.00am – 10.00am | The Coolamon
Good Mourning is the straight-talking top podcast, community, book and movement making life after loss a little easier. Join Imogen Carn and Sally Douglas in conversation about their mission to provide a compass for post-loss living. With Sana Qadar.

The Art of Writing Crime (40)

10.15am – 11.15am | Acacia
Join superstar crime writers Jane Harper (Exiles), Candice Fox (Devil’s Kitchen) and Dinuka McKenzie (Tipping Point) for this panel conversation between masters of the genre on what makes winning crime stories. Explore the traditional conventions of the genre, and how writers deliberately break them. With Alex Adsett.

For The Earth (41)

10.30am – 11.30am | Hakea
In this festival highlight, join award-winning poet Ali Cobby Eckermann (She is the Earth), Booker Prize-winning novelist Richard Flanagan (Question 7), ecologist David Lindenmayer (Forest Wars), and local Greens MLC Sue Higginson for a conversation about the environment and the urgent need to care for the natural world. With Bob Brown.
Supported by The Book Room.

Archaeology of Memory (42)

10.15am – 11.15am | Melaleuca
Conjured by the senses, coloured by emotion, recalled consciously or involuntarily and, at times, fallible, lost or false, memory is rich ground for literary writers. Join Sara M Saleh (Songs for the Dead and the Living) and Leo Vardiashvili (Hard by a Great Forest) for an exploration of the role of memory in their works. With Russell Eldridge. Please note that Tony Birch is unable to attend the festival.

It’s Not Just Cricket (43)

10.00am – 11.00am | Lilly Pilly
Join journalist, author and polymath Gideon Haigh for an intimate discussion of his latest works, including the moving memoir My Brother Jaz, true crime investigation The Girl in Cabin 350, and biography The One Indiscretion of His Life. Widely known as Australia’s favourite cricket writer, Haigh is one of our most prolific and insightful writers today. With Chris Hanley.

Future of the Liberal Party (44)

10.00am – 11.00am | A&I Hall
Join Lech Blaine (Quarterly Essay: Bad Cop) and frequent QE contributor David Marr for an in-depth analysis of the Australian Liberal Party’s membership and leadership issues, its changing international influences, and where to next for the party. With Walter Marsh.
Supported by Quarterly Essay.

Everest, Guns & Money (102)

10.15am – 11.15am | The Coolamon
From climbing the Salathe Wall on El Capitan, to crash landing a hot air balloon in Tibet, after over-flying Mt Everest, Chris Dewhirst’s Everest, Guns & Money is a page-turning political thriller and deep-dive memoir, written by a man who has lived life on the edge. With Madelaine Dickie.

Our ABC? (45)

11.30am – 12.30pm | Acacia
In January 2024, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced media executive Kim Williams as the next chair of the ABC. Join Kim in conversation with Kerry O’Brien to reflect on his new role at the beloved national broadcaster and to share his vision for its future, as well as his thoughts on the current state of Australian media and the arts.

Lola in the Mirror (46)

11.45am – 12.45pm | Hakea
Bighearted, gritty, magical and moving, Lola in the Mirror is the irresistible new novel from international bestselling author of Boy Swallows Universe and All Our Shimmering Skies, Trent Dalton. Join this festival favourite in conversation with Julia Baird.
Supported by Crystalbrook Byron.

Writing with Humour (47)

11.30am – 12.30pm | Melaleuca
How do writers bring lightness and humour to even the darkest subjects? Join some of our wittiest authors, Melissa Lucashenko (Edenglassie), Benjamin Stevenson (Everyone on This Train is a Suspect) and Steph Tisdell (The Skin I’m In), for a panel about the balancing act between tragedy and comedy, and the importance of laughter in tough times. With Sana Qadar.

Media & Justice (48)

11.15am – 12.15pm | Lilly Pilly
The media’s treatment of Indigenous issues, including Black deaths in custody, legacies of the NT intervention, and treaty negotiations, shows we have a long way to go to accessing justice. Join talented writers and experts Wayne Bergmann (Some People Want to Shoot Me), Amy McQuire (Black Witness) and Rob Waters (2023 Australian Poetry Slam Champion) to explore how we can hold power to account and make the world a more equitable place. With Merinda Dutton.

Thea Astley Address (49)

11.15am – 12.15pm | A&I Hall
The Thea Astley Address, named in honour of one of Australia’s most influential and distinctive novelists, has been presented annually at the Byron Writers Festival since 2005. This year, join acclaimed author James Bradley to deliver the 2024 Address on the wonder and plight of our oceans, following his latest book, Deep Water. With Ashley Hay.

Karkalla at Home (103)

11.30am – 12.30pm | The Coolamon
In Karkalla at Home: Native Foods & Everyday Recipes for Connecting to Country, chef, author and proud Bundjalung woman Mindy Woods features stories and profiles on more than 40 of the continent’s most readily available native ingredients. With Annabelle Hickson.

The Road to the Country (50)

12.45pm – 1.45pm | Acacia
Set in 1960s Nigeria, The Road to the Country is the epic story of a university student conscripted into the breakaway Biafran army and forced to fight a war he hardly understands. The story of a young man in a country on fire, Chigozie Obioma’s novel is an odyssey of brotherhood, love, and unimaginable courage. With Claire Nichols.
Supported by ABC Radio National’s The Book Show.

Woven (51)

1.00pm – 2.00pm | Hakea
In Woven, poets weave words across lands and seas, gathering collaborative threads and shining a light on First Nations poetry from Australia and across the globe. Join Ali Cobby Eckermann (She is the Earth) and Jazz Money (Mark the Dawn) for conversation and readings from this remarkable collection. With editor Anne-Marie Te Whiu.

Writing Pain (52)

12.45pm – 1.45pm | Melaleuca
Pain, in all its forms, is felt acutely in private. So how do we write this experience for readers? Join authors Sally Douglas (Good Mourning), Ailsa Piper (For Life), and Sarah Sasson (Tidelines) for a discussion on the ways we feel and write about pain, as well as healing, resilience, and the power of community. With Ashley Hay.

Killing for Country (53)

12.30pm – 1.30pm | Lilly Pilly
David Marr was shocked to discover forebears who served with the brutal Native Police in the bloodiest years on the frontier. Killing for Country is the result – a soul-searching history of a war still unresolved in today’s Australia. With Rebecca Huntley.
Supported by Greenstone Partners.

Writing for Performance (54)

12.30pm – 1.30pm | A&I Hall
What changes when writing a story from the stage to the page? Explore the creative process of adaptation with two skilled and award-winning playwright-turned-authors, Jane Harrison (The Visitors) and Suzie Miller (Prima Facie). With Julian Louis.
Supported by NORPA.

Rainforest Warriors (104)

12.45pm – 1.45pm | The Coolamon
Rainforest Warriors is the story of extraordinary cultural change in the Byron hinterland in the 1970s and how that led to Australia’s first ever fight against environmental destruction – a fight that resulted in undreamt of success – the creation of national parks down the spine of the state. Join author Stephen Wyatt for the launch of Rainforest Warriors with John Lyons.

Psychedelic Medicines (55)

2.00pm – 3.00pm | Acacia
In 2023, the psychedelic drugs psilocybin and MDMA became legal in Australia for treatment of depression and PTSD, yet their use remains controversial. Join authors Tim Baker, James Bradley and Rebecca Huntley for an insightful discussion on how psychedelics are transforming mental health therapies. With Chris Hanley.

36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem (56) 

2.15pm – 3.15pm | Hakea
Fifteen years after his best-selling, award-winning collection of stories The Boat, Nam Le returns to his great themes of identity and representation in a virtuosic debut book of poetry. 36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem is scathing, hilarious, and desperately moving. With Caoilinn Hughes.
Supported by The Book Room.

The Drowning (57)

2.00pm – 3.00pm | Melaleuca
Murder, drugs, liaisons and lies are stirring up a small coastal town. Join Bryan Brown in conversation about his latest novel, The Drowning, in his characteristic laconic storytelling that is humorous, tough and suspenseful. With Jennifer Byrne.

Politica (58)

1.45pm – 2.15pm | Lilly Pilly
Yumna Kassab’s Politica is a captivating literary journey that delves into the intertwined lives of a town, its people, and a region shaped by revolution. From the acclaimed author of The House of Youssef and The Lovers comes a powerful new novel that asks if it’s possible to measure the personal cost of war. With Karen Wyld.

Generational Inequality (59)

1.45pm – 2.45pm | A&I Hall
A great wealth transfer is seeing the fortunes of Baby Boomers passed onto Gen X, Millenials and Gen Y – but not everyone will benefit. Join young writers Lech Blaine, Bri Lee and Steph Tisdell to discuss class inequality and the growing divide between those with or without family assets. With Isabelle Reinecke.
Supported by The Saturday Paper.

How We Love (105) 

2.00pm – 3.00pm | The Coolamon
Join festival guests Dylin Hardcastle (A Language of Limbs), Kay Kerr (Love & Autism), and Jessie Tu (The Honeyeater) for an intimate discussion on the myriad and changing forms of social and romantic relationships, and what it means to love and care for another. With Carody Culver.

Black Duck: A Year at Yumburra (60)

3.15pm – 4.15pm | Acacia
Following the phenomenon of his bestselling Dark Emu, Bruce Pascoe and his partner Lyn Harwood invite us to imagine a different future for Australia, one where we can honour our relationship with nature and improve agriculture and forestry. With Ashley Hay.
Supported by Southern Cross University.

Yeah, Nah! (61)

3.30pm – 4.30pm | Hakea
Have you ever behaved like a drongo? Added mayo to a story? Lost your Reg Grundies? Join bestselling author and acclaimed actor William McInnes to discuss Yeah, Nah! – a collection of hilarious memories and moments inspired by Australia’s way with words. With Marieke Hardy.
Supported by Rochdale Accounting & Advisory.

The Mega Election Year (62)

3.15pm – 4.15pm | Melaleuca
In 2024, almost 50% of the global population in over 60 countries will head to the polls in national elections. From India to the USA, join journalists Nick Bryant, Meena Kandasamy and John Lyons to discuss the results and the consequences to come. With Misha Ketchell.
Supported by The Conversation.

For Life (63)

3.00pm – 4.00pm | Lilly Pilly
When her husband doesn’t answer his phone, Ailsa Piper knows something is wrong. For Life is an unforgettable and moving insight into loss, hope and starting again, aided by the incredible healing power of nature and a community of unexpected angels. With Charlotte Wood.
Supported by Honey Bee Homes.

Some People Want to Shoot Me (64)

3.00pm – 4.00pm | A&I Hall
In 2010, Nyikina man Wayne Bergmann has just received a death threat. He is chief executive of the Kimberley Land Council during the controversial James Price Point gas hub negotiations that will tear the Broome community apart. Join Wayne in conversation with co-writer Madelaine Dickie for this tale of resilience, determination and optimism, and what it takes to be an Aboriginal person walking in two cultures in a country where racism runs deep.

Poetry Walk (106)

3.15pm – 4.15pm | The Coolamon
Explore the natural beauty and poetic pathways of the festival site in this walking tour featuring performances by acclaimed poets Tony Birch, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Luka Lesson, Nicole Smede, and hosted by Emilie Zoey Baker.
Supported by Australian Poetry via funding from the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Grace (65)

4.30pm – 5.30pm | Acacia
From the bestselling author of Phosphorescence, Julia Baird, comes Bright Shining, a beautiful and timely exploration of that most mysterious but necessary of human qualities: grace. With David Roland.
Supported by Vasudhara.

Aboriginal Sporting Legends (66)

4.45pm – 5.45pm | Hakea
Who inspires the icons? Join AFL legend and memoirist Nicky Winmar and creative powerhouse Rhoda Roberts AO, writer of My Cousin Frank about Australia’s first Aboriginal Olympian, for this uplifting celebration of stories about heroes in the sporting world. With Naomi Moran.
Supported by First Nations Australia Writers Network FNAWN.

On Grief (67)

4.30pm – 5.15pm | Melaleuca
When someone dies, your whole world stops – but what do you do when it keeps turning for everyone else? Join festival guests Imogen Carn (Good Mourning), Gideon Haigh (My Brother Jaz) and Molly Schmidt (Salt River Road) for this moving exploration of death, loss, and how we keep moving. With Nova Weetman.

Love, Sex & Autism (68) 

4.15pm – 5.15pm | Lilly Pilly
Join critically-acclaimed autistic author Kay Kerr (Love & Autism) and sexologist and counsellor Jodi Rodgers (Unique: What Autism Can Teach Us about Difference, Connection and Belonging) for a joyful discussion about neurodivergent love, and a deeper look into the lives of autistic Australians. With Kris Kneen.

Slick: Australia’s Toxic Relationship with Big Oil (69)

4.15pm – 5.15pm | A&I Hall
Byron Writers Festival is thrilled to present the launch of Slick!
Investigative journalist Royce Kurmelovs’ Slick is a riveting expose of the global oil industry’s multi-decade conspiracy to undermine efforts to address environmental devastation. It tells the stories of fire and flood survivors, and the activists engaged in a fight for the future of Australia. Join Royce Kurmelovs for the launch of Slick with Isabelle Reinecke.

Cultural Touchstones (70)

9.00am – 10.00am | Acacia
What are the books that shaped our culture? The cultural touchstones of old were mostly written by dead white men. But a new canon has emerged written by diverse authors. Join writer and farmer Bruce Pascoe, biographer Brigitta Olubas, and novelist Meg Keneally about the books that wield influence today. With Suzy Freeman-Greene.
Supported by The Conversation.

Art & Power (71)

9.15am – 10.15am | Hakea
Join Bri Lee and Jessie Tu for an exploration of their compelling new releases. Lee’s The Work is the debut novel about art, power, love and money from the bestselling author of Eggshell Skull, while Tu’s The Honeyeater is the follow up to acclaimed bestseller A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing. With Courtney Miller.
Supported by Vasudhara.

America at War with Itself (72)

9.00am – 10.00am | Melaleuca
The Forever War: America’s Unending Conflict with Itself tells the story of America’s extreme polarisation 250 years in the making. Nick Bryant explains how the hate, divisiveness and paranoia we see today are a core part of America’s story. With Chris Hanley.
Supported by First National Byron.

Kids Big Day Out (73)

9.00am – 12.30pm | Lilly Pilly and The Coolamon
Kids Big Day Out returns with a stellar line-up of stories and music. A perfect outing for the whole family, kids can get involved in interactive sessions in our workshop space.

Deadlock: Ending Fossil Fuels (74)

9.00am – 10.00am | A&I Hall
To curb the climate crisis, there can be no more oil, gas or coal. Yet governments around the world, including Australia, are approving new fossil fuel projects. Climate scientist Joëlle Gergis (Highway to Hell) and investigative journalist Royce Kurmelovs (Slick) analyse the government paralysis around ending fossil fuels and provide a roadmap for taking action. With Julianne Schultz.

This is a Climate Frontlines series session.
Supported by The Saturday Paper.

War & Brotherhood (75)

10.15am – 11.15am | Acacia
Two international festival guests Chigozie Obioma (The Road to the Country) and Leo Vardiashvili (Hard By a Great Forest) discuss their stunning new novels following brothers and family separation, set in times of civil war – the Biafran War in Nigeria, and in post-Soviet Georgia. With Kerry O’Brien.
Supported by Greenstone Partners.

The Prison Healer (76)

10.30am – 11.30am | Hakea
Join bestselling author Lynette Noni in conversation about her dark, thrilling YA fantasy, The Prison Healer, about a girl forced to heal prisoners and wager her life in a series of deadly elemental trials, all to save the rebel forces queen. With Sarah Armstrong.

The Power of Creativity (77)

10.15am – 11.15am | Melaleuca
Being creative is good for the soul – and our mental health. It reduces stress and calms our nervous system. It’s also part of being human. Join beloved Australian musician Kate Ceberano (Unsung) and Creative First Aid authors Caitlin Marshall and Lizzie Rose for an inspiring discussion on the power of creativity. With Mandy Nolan.
Supported by Organic India.

Fat Girl Dancing (78)

10.15am – 11.15am | A&I Hall
Fat child, self-denying adolescent, hungry young woman. A body burgeoning uncontrolled into middle age. Kris Kneen has borne the usual indignities: the clothes that won’t fasten, the mirror that affronts, the stranger whose gaze judges and dismisses. Join Kris in conversation about this frank, beautiful and triumphant ode to self-respect. With Amy Lovat.

Pheasants Nest (79)

11.30am – 12.30pm | Acacia
Join acclaimed and award-winning writer and journalist Louise Milligan in conversation about her stunning and surprising thriller with a gigantic heart: a gripping, propulsive and brilliantly original debut crime novel, Pheasants Nest. With Jan Fran.

The Alternatives (80)

11.45am – 12.45pm | Hakea
Join one of Ireland’s most gifted storytellers, Caoilinn Hughes, in conversation about her latest book. Described by writer Anthony Doerr as ‘a massive talent,’ Hughes’ The Alternatives is the story of four brilliant Irish sisters, orphaned in childhood, who scramble to reconnect when the oldest disappears into the Irish countryside. With Bri Lee.
Supported by Greenstone Partners

Balcony over Jerusalem (81)

11.30.am – 12.30pm | Melaleuca
In Balcony Over Jerusalem: A Middle East Memoir, foreign correspondent John Lyons draws from his years living in Jerusalem to give context to the devastating war between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza. Beyond the politics and headlines, Lyons explains the Middle East through everyday life and the conversations with friends on their balcony overlooking it all. With Julianne Schultz.

Exiles (82)

11.30am – 12.30pm | A&I Hall
Join Jane Harper, author of the international bestsellers The Dry, Force of Nature, The Lost Man and The Survivors, for an in-depth discussion of her latest book, the New York Times bestseller, Exiles. With Zacharey Jane.

Creative First Aid Workshop (108)

12.30pm – 1.30pm | The Coolamon
Creativity meets mental health in this empowering and playful guide to self-care and wellbeing, with Caitlin Marshall and Lizzie Rose. This workshop will involve live creative “prescriptions” including drawing, writing, storytelling and movement, as well as content on mental health and well-being, how our nervous system works, what happens when we do something creative, and how this supports good mental health. The workshop is designed for adults and teens (accompanied by a guardian).

Effective Altruism (83)

12.45pm – 1.45pm | Acacia
In The Buddhist and the Ethicist, philosopher and professor of bioethics Peter Singer joined forces with Venerable Shih Chao-Hwei, a Taiwanese Buddhist monastic and social activist to share unique perspectives on contemporary issues and reveal how we can all move toward making the world a better place. With Courtney Miller.
Supported by Vasudhara.

The Silver River (84)

1.00pm – 2.00pm | Hakea
For 50 years, songwriter, guitarist and keyboard player Jim Moginie was a driving force behind iconic rock band Midnight Oil. Threaded with vivid recollections of childhood, behind-the-scenes stories of band life and insights into his creative process, The Silver River is a moving and inspiring memoir of families lost and rediscovered. With Marieke Hardy.
Supported by The Sunseeker.

Close to the Subject (85)

12.45pm – 1.45pm | Melaleuca
Close to the Subject is the collected works of one of Australia’s most accomplished media personalities. Chronicling his career since 2007, join Daniel Browning to reflect on his stellar career as a journalist, radio broadcaster, critic and interviewer. With Rhianna Patrick.
Supported by Koori Mail.

North Coast Noir (86)

12.45pm – 1.45pm | Lilly Pilly
Join acclaimed writers Bryan Brown (The Drowning) and Dinuka McKenzie (Tipping Point) for a riveting discussion about their novels inspired by the NSW North Coast and the Northern Rivers. With P.A. Thomas.

Status Anxiety (87)

12.45pm – 1.45pm | A&I Hall
Griffith Review 85: Status Anxiety grapples with the fallout of our status anxiety and explores what happens when we don’t measure up. Join contributors Shahar Hameiri and Haruko Koga. With Carody Culver.
Supported by Griffith Review.

Living Hot (88)

2.00pm – 3.00pm | Acacia
In Living Hot: Surviving and Thriving on a Heating Planet, Clive Hamilton argues that it’s time to make Australia resilient to intensifying climate extremes. If we prepare well, we can preserve some of the best of what we have, build stronger and fairer communities, and find ways to thrive. With Misha Ketchell.

The Mungo Panel: Press Freedom (89)

2.15pm – 3.15pm | Hakea
For the 2024 Mungo MacCallum Panel, join acclaimed journalists Nick Bryant (The Forever War), Amy McQuire (Black Witness) and Louise Milligan (Pheasants Nest) for an exploration of the state of media freedom in Australia and around the world, including emerging threats and what needs to be done to ensure a robust and independent media. With Julianne Schultz.

Unsung (90)

2.00pm – 3.00pm | Melaleuca
In Unsung: A Compendium of Creativity, Kate Ceberano muses on the people and experiences that have inspired her, humbled her, what hurts and what sustains. A powerful woman in her prime, she is a reflective, romantic and vulnerable artist making sense of the universe. It’s proof of a lifetime lived in music. With Chris Hanley.
Supported by First National Byron

Mothers (91)

2.00pm – 3.00pm | Lilly Pilly
Join creative powerhouses and Bundjalung women Bronwyn Bancroft and Ella Noah Bancroft, authors of Sun and Moon, for an intimate exploration of our relationships with, and as, mothers. With author of Yanga Mother, Cheryl Leavy.

Unique (92)

2.00pm – 3.00pm | A&I Hall
In Unique, beloved star of ABC TV’s award-winning Love on the Spectrum and disability rights advocate Jodi Rodgers shares stories from her three-decade career working with the autistic community and calls for a more inclusive and accepting society. With Mandy Nolan.

My Cousin Frank (109)

2.00pm – 3.00pm | The Coolamon
Francis ‘Frank’ Roberts spent his entire life fighting. A boxing champion, he was the first Aboriginal Olympian. Outside the ring, he fought tirelessly for his family and culture. Join Rhoda Roberts AO as she shares tales about the making of her one-woman-show about her first cousin Frank. With Julian Louis.
Supported by NORPA.

My Story (93)

3.15pm – 4.15pm | Acacia
Thirty years after creating one of the most memorable moments in sporting history, Indigenous AFL legend Nicky Winmar tells his story in a moving and compelling memoir, giving rare insight into his life. With Gideon Haigh.

Poetry as Practice (94)

3.30pm – 4.15pm | Hakea
How do poets craft powerful messages with wit and wisdom, making every word count? Join acclaimed poets Nam Le (36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem) and Tayi Tibble (Rangikura) for a discussion on their creative practice. With Anne-Marie Te Whiu.

Love, Death & Other Scenes (95)

3.15pm – 4.00pm | Melaleuca
Nova Weetman’s unforgettable memoir Love, Death & Other Scenes reflects on experiences of love and loss from throughout her life, including losing her beloved partner, playwright Aidan Fennessy, during the 2020 Covid lockdown. With Sarah Armstrong.

Voices of Regional Australia (96)

3.15pm – 4.00pm | Lilly Pilly
Regional Australia has so much more going on than droughts, floods and fires. Join journalist and author Madelaine Dickie (Some People Want to Shoot Me) and musician and memoirist Jim Moginie (The Silver River) in discussion about their regional lives. With Annabelle Hickson.
Supported by Galah Press.

Shire Choir (97)

4.15pm – 4.45pm | Melaleuca
Join us to close the 2024 Byron Writers Festival with the Shire Choir. Directed by Melia Naughton and produced by Sally Schofield, all are invited to participate in this rousing pop-up choir event, featuring special guest, Midnight Oil’s Jim Moginie (The Silver River). All voices are welcome, no experience required.