Byron Writers Festival 2022

WORKSHOP SOLD OUT – contact [email protected] to join waitlist

This workshop is about the audacity of honesty. “Only connect,” E.M. Forster once wrote, which is particularly important when it comes to writing in a personal capacity. Participants will look at examples of powerful personal writing that connect through the courage in their honesty; Nikki will also be talking about the craft of writing, the refuge of anonymity, tricks for bravery in writing, personal protectiveness as well as pathways to publication.

There will be time to write your own short pieces, be that fiction, non fiction, poetry, playwriting – whatever you want to explore. All that’s required is a laptop or a notepad and pen, and a willingness to dive deep. This will be a nurturing, supportive space to create something special. The only prerequisite is a passion for reading and writing, and an appreciation of the power of honesty and vulnerability. No pressure, just a lot of fun – that’s the aim of the day as the group looks at tuning forks for their own writing.

Nikki Gemmell has been ‘writing the personal’ for over three decades now, in her fiction, creative non fiction and her weekly newspaper column.

Date: Wednesday 24 August
Time: 10am – 4pm
Where: Byron Community Centre, Wategos 2. Upstairs at 69 Jonson Street, Byron Bay
Cost:  $145 General / $100 Members & Students

About the Facilitator

Nikki Gemmell is the bestselling author of 13 novels and four works of non-fiction, including The Ripping Tree, Shiver, After and The Bride Stripped Bare. Her latest book is Dissolve. Her books have been translated into 22 languages. She was born in Wollongong, New South Wales, and lived in London for many years, but has now returned to Australia. The French literary magazine Lire included her in a list of the 50 most important writers in the world – those it believes will have a significant influence on the literature of the 21st century. Gemmell also pens a weekly column for The Weekend Australian Magazine.