Performing writer Miles Merrill brought poetry slams to Australia from Chicago. He is the spark for dozens of spoken word programs across the Asia-Pacific region.
Byron Writers Festival 2022
Byron Writers Festival 2022
Secondary Schools Day
Connecting students with some of the foremost writers and thinkers from the 2022 Festival program.
Featuring Evelyn Araluen, Emily Bitto, Matt Okine, Huda Fadlelmawla, Isobelle Carmody, Will Kostakis, Jean Hinchcliffe and Gary Lonesborough
About the day
Byron Writers Festival invites your school to participate in our annual Secondary Schools Program – a full day of live conversations with some of the foremost writers and thinkers from the 2022 Festival.
When: Thursday 25 August, 10am – 2pm
Where: Elements of Byron, 144 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay
Cost: $17 per student (teachers free)
Program
View the day’s program below and scroll down for author bios and their books.
Southern Cross University Marquee
10.30am: The Power of Poetry
Evelyn Araluen in conversation with Grace Lucas-Pennington
11.15am: Narrative Devices
Emily Bitto in conversation with Sunil Badami
12.15pm: From Truth to Fiction
Matt Okine in conversation with Zacharey Jane
1.00pm: Lead the Way
Jean Hinchcliffe in conversation with Sarah Wilson
First National Byron Marquee
10.30am: On Fantasy
Isobelle Carmody in conversation with Alex Adsett
11.15am: Why I Write
Will Kostakis in conversation with Rhianna Patrick
12.15pm: Writing for Performance
Huda Fadlelmawla in conversation with Miles Merrill
1.00pm: Coming of Age Stories
Gary Lonesborough in conversation with Rhianna Patrick
How to Book
- Click the ‘Book Now’ button to reserve the number of tickets required for your school.
- After booking, you will have the opportunity to revise ticket numbers until July. We urge you to determine your school’s numbers as soon as possible, as PLACES ALWAYS FILL UP FAST.
- You may pay the booking fee immediately, or you may opt to receive an invoice.
- After 20 July, we will send you an invoice if applicable. (Payment can be made via EFT, credit card or cheque to secure your students’ positions). Payment will also be accepted by credit card upon Festival entry. Our strong preference is that schools make payment in entirety BEFORE the event.
Key Information
- Program is designed especially for students in years 7 – 12
- Gates open at 9.30am, sessions run from 10.30am – 1.30pm
- The Festival does not provide supervision
- Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the Festival site.
- Complimentary waterfilling station is available onsite, please ask students to bring along their own bottle
Staying COVID Safe at Secondary Schools Days 2022
- Byron Writers Festival Schools Days will be operating under the NSW Public Health Order in place at the time of the event.
- Teachers will be responsible for keeping a list of all participating students and will be required to share this information with NSW Health should the need arise.
- Students experiencing flu-like symptoms should not attend.
- We ask that you adhere to all COVID guidelines while attending the event.
- View our COVID-Safe Conditions of Entry and full Ticketing Terms & Conditions here.
Digital Schools Program
A free digital schools program will be released later in the year. More information to come. Presented in partnership with Southern Cross University.
Do you have a way with words or a story to tell? Study creative writing, digital media or design your degree, combining more of your interests with our range of shared majors from a wide range of disciplines. It’s time to think outside the box with Southern Cross University. scu.edu.au/study
For questions, please email [email protected] or call (02) 6685 5115.
Secondary Schools Day
2022 Program Poster
Click image to view, download and print PDF.
LIVE SESSIONS
Secondary School Authors and Hosts
Alex Adsett
Alex Adsett is a literary agent and publishing consultant. She represents some of Australia’s best authors, and offers strategic advice on publishing contracts and copyright.
Evelyn Araluen
Evelyn Araluen is a Dharug poet, researcher and co-editor of Overland Literary Journal. Her debut collection Dropbear won the 2022 Stella Prize.
Sunil Badami
Sunil Badami is a writer and broadcaster, who’s written for most major Australian publications and appears regularly on ABC radio and TV.
Emily Bitto
Emily Bitto is an award-winning Melbourne-based writer of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Her debut novel, The Strays, won the 2015 Stella Prize. Her second novel is Wild Abandon.
Isobelle Carmody
Isobelle Carmody is one of Australia’s most highly acclaimed authors of fantasy. Her latest book is The Velvet City, the final instalment in the Kingdom of the Lost series.
Huda Fadlelmawla
Huda the Goddess is the current Australian Poetry Slam Champion and two-time QLD champ. She is currently working on her first poetry collection, The Birth of Goddess.
Jean Hinchcliffe
Jean Hinchliffe is a climate justice activist and writer. Her first book, Lead the Way was published in March 2021.
Zacharey Jane
Zacharey Jane is a writer, teacher and whale-lover. She is tour manager for Writers on the Road, and the author of two works of fiction and sundry short stories and articles.
Will Kostakis
Will Kostakis is an award-winning author for young adults, best known for his novels The First Third, The Sidekicks and the Monuments duology.
Gary Lonesborough
Gary Lonesborough is a Yuin man from the Far South Coast of NSW. The Boy from the Mish is Gary’s debut YA novel.
Grace Lucas-Pennington
Bundjalung woman Grace Lucas-Pennington is an editor specialising in fiction and poetry. She is currently the Senior Editor at State Library of Queensland’s black&write! Indigenous Writing and Editing Project.
Miles Merrill
Rhianna Patrick
Rhianna Patrick is a freelance Torres Strait Islander journalist and broadcaster with over 25 years’ experience.
Sarah Wilson
Sarah Wilson is a best-selling author, podcaster, thought leader, philanthropist and climate advisor. Her most recent book This One Wild & Precious Life won the 2021 US Gold Nautilus Award.