Byron Writers Festival 2022

26 — 28 August

Writers & Presenters

Meet the writers and thinkers featured in our line-up of more than 140 powerful and inspiring voices fiction, memoir, crime, environment, society, politics, poetry, art, comedy and music.
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Sessions: 25, 32, 59

Nicole Abadee

Nicole Abadee is books writer for Good Weekend magazine. She regularly moderates at writers festivals and has a podcast, Books, Books, Books.
Sessions: 46, 66, 71, 80

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.
Sessions: 44, 63

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.
Sessions: 97, D

Megan Albany

Megan Albany is a proud Kalkadoon woman whose debut novel, The Very Last List of Vivian Walker, was shortlisted for the 2020 Banjo Prize.
Sessions: 8, 60

Akuch Kuol Anyieth

Among other publications, Akuch Kuol Anyieth is the author of Unknown: A Refugee Story. Akuch works and studies in the field of family and domestic violence.
Sessions: 4, 20, 72, 84, D

Evelyn Araluen

Evelyn Araluen is a poet, researcher and co-editor of Overland Literary Journal. Born and raised on Dharug country and of Bundjalung descent, she is the author of the 2022 Stella Prize-winning  Dropbear.
Sessions: 69, 74, 96

Sarah Armstrong

Sarah Armstrong was a journalist and has written three novels, including Salt Rain, which was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin. Big Magic is her first children’s novel.

Sessions: 21, 85

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.
Sessions: 45

Sunil Badami

Sunil Badami is a writer and broadcaster, who has written for most major Australian publications and appears regularly on ABC radio and TV.
Sessions: 34, 39, 55

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.
Sessions: 64, 87, 95

Julia Baird

Dr Julia Baird is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author of Media Tarts, Victoria, and the Australian Book Industry Book of the Year for 2021, Phosphorescence.
Sessions: 4, 28, 88

Tim Baker

Tim Baker is the best-selling author of Occy, Bustin’ Down The Door, High Surf, Surfari, Century of Surf, and his latest book, Patting The Shark.
Sessions: 69, 74

Tristan Bancks

Tristan Bancks’s books for kids and teens include Two Wolves, The Fall, Detention and Ginger Meggs. His new nail-biter for age 10+ is Cop & Robber.
Sessions: 7, 74, F

Ella Noah Bancroft

Ella Noah Bancroft is a Bundjalung artist, storyteller, author of Sun & Moon, and a participant in NORPA’s creative development program Bundjalung Nghari-Indigenise.
69, 74

Bronwyn Bancroft

Dr Bronwyn Bancroft is a proud Bundjalung woman and artist. Bronwyn recently collaborated with her daughter Ella Bancroft on the children’s book, Sun and Moon.
Sessions: 17, 47, 57, 81

Paul Barclay

Paul Barclay is a Walkley Award-winning journalist and broadcaster on ABC Radio National with an appetite for ideas and in-depth analysis and discussion.
Sessions: 98, A

Nidala Barker

Nidala Barker is a singer-songwriter, activist and outdoor educator. Born of the Djugun people of the Kimberley, her music is an anthem for open hearts and raised fists.
Sessions: 53, 97

Jonathan Biggins

Jonathan Biggins is an actor, writer and director, best known as one of the creators of the political satire The Wharf Revue. His latest book is The Gospel According to Paul.
Sessions: 71

Elly Bird

Elly Bird is a Councillor on Lismore City Council and Coordinator of Resilient Lismore, a community organisation leading recovery in Lismore after the region’s devastating floods.
Sessions: 59, 86

Bronwyn Birdsall

Bronwyn Birdsall is a writer based in the Northern Rivers. Time and Tide in Sarajevo is her first novel.
Sessions: 9, 94

Jemma Birrell

Jemma Birrell is the host of The Secret Life of Writers podcast. She has previously worked at Sydney Writers Festival, Shakespeare and Co in Paris and Tablo.
Sessions: 42, 93

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.
Sessions: 4, 12, 22, 77

James Bradley

James Bradley’s books include the novels Wrack, The Deep Field, The Resurrectionist, Clade and, most recently, Ghost Species.
Sessions: 67, 92

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.
Sessions: 73

Phil Brown

Phil Brown is Arts Editor at The Courier-Mail. His latest book is The Kowloon Kid: A Hong Kong Childhood.
Sessions: 7, 20, 26, 76, F

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.
Session: 45, 89

Emily Brugman

Emily Brugman is the author of The Islands, a novel inspired by her Finnish family’s experiences of living and working on the Abrolhos Islands, WA, in the mid-20th century.
Sessions: 15, 39

Tim Burrowes

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.
Sessions: 18, 49

Jennifer Byrne

Jennifer Byrne is a senior journalist and broadcaster, and founding host of the much-loved ABC television program The Book Club.
Sessions: 7, F

Kylie Caldwell

Kylie Caldwell is a Bundjalung artist, writer, weaver and fibre artist, interested in reviving and pursuing traditional cultural practices her ancestors have used over thousands of years.
Sessions: 23, 38, 85, D

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.
Sessions: 69, 74

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.
Sessions: 1, 60, G

Jane Caro

Jane Caro AM is a Walkley Award-winning columnist, author, broadcaster, documentary maker, feminist and social commentator. The Mother is her first novel.
Sessions: 1, 48

Barrie Cassidy

Barrie Cassidy is one of Australia’s most respected political journalists having hosted Insiders on ABC TV for 18 years.
Sessions: 46, 66, 71

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.
Sessions: 22, 77, 90

Jo Chandler

Jo Chandler is an award-winning journalist who specialises in explanatory deep dives, often on science. Her latest work appears in Griffith Review 77: Real Cool World.
Sessions: 16, 57

Anna Clark

Anna Clark is a historian at the University of Technology Sydney and the author of Making Australian History.
Session: 24

Alan Close

Alan Close has been writing for over 40 years. His most recent book is Before You Met Me: A Memoir Of One Man’s Troubled Search For Love.
Sessions: 54, 82, 93

Jessie Cole

Jessie Cole is the author of four books. Her latest memoir, Desire, is out in August.
Sessions: 79, 92

Matthew Condon

Matthew Condon is a journalist who has spent almost a decade investigating crime and corruption in Queensland. His book The Night Dragon was released in 2019.
Sessions: 1, 17, 39, 66

Ed Coper

Ed Coper is a leading communications expert and author of Facts and Other Lies: Welcome to the Disinformation Age.
Sessions: 63, 78, 92

Trent Dalton

Trent Dalton is the bestselling author of Boy Swallows Universe, All Our Shimmering Skies, and Love Stories.
Sessions: 14, 33

Krystal De Napoli

Krystal De Napoli is a Gomeroi astrophysicist, author, and radio broadcaster. Her book Astronomy: Sky Country explores Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sky knowledge.
Sessions: 6, 73

Robert Drewe

Robert Drewe is an acclaimed author of fiction and non-fiction. His work has been widely translated and adapted for film, television, theatre and radio. Nimblefoot is his latest book
29, 89

Jill Eddington

Jill Eddington has enjoyed a long career in the literary sector including in festivals, publishing and at the Australia Council for the Arts.
Session: 44, 59

Sara El Sayed

Sara El Sayed is a writer based in Meanjin (Brisbane). Her debut memoir, Muddy People, is out now.
Sessions: 6, 48

Russell Eldridge

Russell Eldridge is a journalist, novelist and media trainer. He served on the Byron Writers Festival Board for many years. His novel, Harry Mac, was published in 2015.
Sessions: 46, 68, 83

Matthew Evans

Matthew Evans, Tasmanian chef, farmer, food writer and broadcaster is the author of Soil, a hymn to the remarkable and underappreciated bit of Earth that gifts us life.
Sessions: 24, 43

Aaron Fa'Aoso

Aaron Fa’Aoso is a Torres Strait Islander producer, director, screenwriter and actor. He is known for his role in Black Comedy. Aaron’s memoir, So Far, So Good, is out this year.
Sessions: 72, G, K, M, N

Huda Fadlelmawla

Huda 'the Goddess' Fadlelmawla is the current Australian Poetry Slam Champion and two-time Queensland champ. She is working on her first poetry collection, The Birth of Goddess.
Sessions: 77, 99

Delia Falconer

Delia Falconer is a novelist and non-fiction writer. Signs and Wonders: Dispatches from a time of beauty and loss was published in 2021.
Sessions: 24, 63, G

Nigel Featherstone

Nigel Featherstone is the author of the novels My Heart is a Little Wild Thing and Bodies of Men.
Sessions: 53, C

Charles Firth

Charles Firth is a founding member of The Chaser, co-host of The Chaser Report podcast, and the inventor of the decimal system.
Sessions: 26, 57, D, J

Fiona Foley

Fiona Foley is an artist from the Wondunna clan of the Badtjala nation. Fiona's book Biting the Clouds won the QLA's Queensland Premier's Award for a work of State Significance.
Sessions: 74, 96

Kate Foster

Kate Foster is a children's author writing about friends, family and dogs. She is the author of the middle grade novels PAWS and The Bravest Word.
Sessions: 25, 70

Declan Fry

Declan Fry is a writer based in Naarm. His latest work appears in Another Australia.
Sessions: 42, 86

Antony Funnell

Antony Funnell is an author and Walkley Award-winning broadcaster. His books include The Future and Related Nonsense and the satirical novel So Far, So Good.
Sessions: 41, A

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.
Sessions: 50, 64, 91, 98

Mawunyo Gbogbo

Mawunyo Gbogbo is the author of Hip Hop & Hymns and a music and pop culture reporter for Double J and ABC News.
Session: 3, 28, 82, H

Nikki Gemmell

Nikki Gemmell’s latest books are the memoir Dissolve, and the psychological thriller The Ripping Tree. She also pens a column for The Weekend Australian Magazine.
Sessions: 68, 83

Costa Georgiadis

Costa Georgiadis is an Australian landscape architect and the beloved host of ABC TV's Gardening Australia. His book, Costa's World, was released in 2021.
Sessions: 66, 99

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.
Sessions: 31, 47

Masha Gessen

Masha Gessen is a Russian-American journalist and author. They are the author of 11 books, including Surviving Autocracy, The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia and Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin.
Sessions: 50, 70

Veronica Gorrie

Veronica Gorrie is a Gunai/Kurnai woman who lives and writes in Victoria. Black and Blue, a memoir of racism and resilience, won the 2022 Victorian Prize for Literature.
Session: 19

Meg Grace

Meg Grace is author of the award-winning novel Supermums. She struggles with intriguing biographies with short word counts, and likes books, birds and Baileys.
Sessions: 56, A

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.
Session: 41, 61, I

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.
Sessions: 84, N

David Hallett

David Hallett has been writing and performing poetry since the 1970s and is host of two of Australia's longest running poetry events. Out of the Blue is his latest collection.
Sessions: 58, 67

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 Byron Bay First National.
Sessions: 11, 62

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.
Sessions: 84

Lynda Hawryluk

Lynda Hawryluk is a writer, poet and academic who coordinates the Associate Degree of Creative Writing at Southern Cross University. She also serves on the Byron Writers Festival board.
Sessions: 22, 32, 89, B

Ashley Hay

Ashley Hay is a novelist, essayist and editor at Griffith Review. A revised edition of her 2002 book, Gum: The Story of Eucalypts and Their Champions, was published in 2021.
Sessions: 8, 60

Amani Haydar

Amani Haydar is an award-winning writer, visual artist, lawyer and advocate for women’s health and safety based in Western Sydney. Her debut memoir is The Mother Wound.
Sessions: 11, 65, 94

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.
Sessions: 11, 60, 87

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.
Sessions: 4, 10, 31

Jean Hinchliffe

Jean Hinchliffe is a climate justice activist and writer. Her first book, Lead the Way, was published in 2021.
Session: 25, 84

Sarah Holland-Batt

Sarah Holland-Batt is the author of three books of poems – most recently, The Jaguar – and a collection of essays on poetry, Fishing for Lightning.
Session: 41, 81, 98

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.
Sessions: 28, 65, 96

Chloe Hooper

Chloe Hooper is the award-winning author of two novels and three works of non-fiction, including The Tall Man and The Arsonist: A Mind on Fire. Bedtime Story is her most recent book.
Session: 2, 90

Jackie Huggins

Bidjara and Birri-Gubba Juru woman Jackie Huggins is the author of Sister Girl: Reflections on Tiddaism, Identity and Reconciliation, and a biography of her father Jack of Hearts QX11594.
Session: 31, 75

Mark Isaacs

Author of The Undesirables and The Kabul Peace House, Mark Isaacs is a fierce advocate for the rights of displaced people in Australia and globally.
Sessions: 14, 23

Christine Jackman

Christine Jackman is an award-winning journalist, author and communications consultant. Her latest book, Turning Down The Noise, is a quest for calm in the modern world.
Sessions: 3, 82, G

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.
Sessions: 5, 40

Erik Jensen

Erik Jensen is the editor-in-chief of Schwartz Media and founding editor of The Saturday Paper. His latest book is I Said the Sea Was Folded.
Session: 34, 45, 93

Yumna Kassab

Yumna Kassab is a writer from Western Sydney. Her first book, The House of Youssef, was shortlisted for several major awards. Australiana is her latest book.
Sessions: 8, 80

Hayley Katzen

Hayley Katzen writes personal essays and facilitates recovery projects for her bushfire-affected community. Untethered, her debut memoir, was published in 2020.
Sessions: 35, 45, 63

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.
Sessions: 52, 62

Krissy Kneen

Krissy Kneen is the award-winning author of fiction, poetry, film and non-fiction. The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen is their latest book.
Session: 27, 42

Natalie Kon-yu

Natalie Kon-yu is a Naarm-based writer, academic and editor. She is the author of The Cost of Labour and a co-commissioning editor of several books.
Session: 24

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.
Sessions: 50, 70, 85

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.
Session: 14, 93

Joy Lawn

Joy Lawn judges literary fiction (QLA) and women’s crime and has judged the PM Literary and NSW Premier’s Awards. She reviews for The Australian and PaperbarkWords.
Session: 36, 85

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.
Session: 19

Debbie Lee

Debbie Lee is Senior Manager in Content Acquisition and Business Development at IngramSpark.
Session: 3, 13

Micheline Lee

Micheline Lee’s novel, The Healing Party, was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards. Recently she was published in We’ve Got This: Stories by Disabled Parents.
Sessions: 78, 87

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.
Sessions: 5, 30, 86

Louisa Lim

Louisa Lim is a journalist, author and lecturer at the University of Melbourne. Her latest book is Indelible City: Dispossession and Defiance in Hong Kong.
Session: 4, 9, 16

Eleanor Limprecht

Eleanor Limprecht is the author of four novels: The Coast, The Passengers, Long Bay and What Was Left.
Session: 44, D

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.
Session: 80

Zanni Louise

Zanni Louise is author of more than 25 books for kids, including bestselling picture book series Human Kind and Errol. Her latest works include I Feel The World and Wonder Earth.
Sessions: 37, 72

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!
Session: 37, 59, 91

Becky Manawatu

Becky Manawatu (NGĀITAHU) was born in Nelson, raised in Waimangaroa, and lived in Germany and Italy before returning to the West Coast with her family. Auē is her first novel.
Session: 51, 64

Wendy McCarthy

Wendy McCarthy AO is an educator and activist. She is the author of Don't Be Too Polite, Girls, a personal, political memoir about life, family, and politics.
Session: 5, 79

Kate McClymont

Kate McClymont AM is an investigative journalist who writes for The Sydney Morning Herald. Her latest book is Dead Man Walking.
Sessions: 38, 54

Phillipa McGuinness

Phillipa McGuinness is author of Skin Deep: the inside story of our outer selves and editor of Openbook, the State Library of NSW magazine.
Session: 12, 52

Laura Jean McKay

Laura Jean McKay is the author of The Animals in That Country – winner of The Arthur C. Clarke Award and The Victorian Prize for Literature.
Sessions: 57, 79

Mark McKenna

Mark McKenna is one of Australia’s leading historians, and the author of several prize-winning books. His latest is Return to Uluru.
Sessions: M

Miles Merrill

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.  
Sessions: 30, 40, 48

Karen Middleton

Karen Middleton is The Saturday Paper’s chief political correspondent with more than 30 years’ experience in print and broadcast media. She has written two books.
Session: 46, 90

Anika Molesworth

Anika Molesworth is a farmer, scientist and storyteller known for her work in agriculture, food systems and generating climate change awareness. Anika is the author of Our Sunburnt Country.
Session: 31, 71

Greg Mullins

In 2019 former fire commissioner Greg Mullins tried to warn the then prime minister of an approaching bushfire disaster. Firestorm tells a story of climate, fire, and political evasion.
Sessions: 13, 38, 54

Fiona Murphy

Fiona Murphy is an award-winning deaf writer based in the Blue Mountains. Her acclaimed memoir, The Shape of Sound, explores deafness, sign language and identity.
Sessions: 23, 68, 95

Indira Naidoo

Indira Naidoo is one of Australia's most popular broadcasters and authors and the host of ABC Radio's Weekend Nightlife. The Space Between Stars is her latest book.
Session: 8, 23, 51

Anne Maria Nicholson

Anne Maria Nicholson is an author and former journalist for major media organisations, including the ABC. Her third novel, Poker Protocol, was released in August.
Sessions: 53, 97, H

Mandy Nolan

Stand Up comedian, columnist and political agitator, Mandy Nolan has leapt from the stage to the page with five humorous memoirs, the latest of which is The Full Mandy.
Session: 33, 76

Karlie Noon

Karlie Noon is a Gamilaraay astronomer and writer. She is the co-author of Astronomy: Sky Country, an exploration of Aboriginal knowledge of the night skies and connection to Country.
Sessions: 48, 61

Kerry O'Brien

Kerry O'Brien anchored the iconic ABC current affairs programs Lateline, 7.30 and Four Corners for more than 25 years. His latest book is Kerry O'Brien: A Memoir.
Sessions: 15

Mick O'Regan

Mick O'Regan is a journalist and broadcaster with more than two decades experience with the ABC and Seven Network.
Session: 10, 51, I

Claire O'Rourke

Claire O'Rourke is a campaigner, communicator, and behaviour change expert. Totally climate freaked-out, Claire helps others take action on climate change. Together We Can is her first book.
Sessions: 44, 54, 97

Matt Okine

Multi-talented actor, writer and presenter Matt Okine is one of Australia’s favourite award-winning comedians. Matt’s debut novel is Being Black ‘n Chicken & Chips.
Session: F

Steven Oliver

Steven Oliver is a descendant of the Kuku-Yalanji, Waanyi, Gangalidda, Woppaburra, Bundjalung and Biripi peoples, best known for his work  on the ABC’s hit show Black Comedy.
Sessions: 36, 76

Bruce Pascoe

Bruce Pascoe is an Aboriginal Australian writer best known for his work Dark Emu. His latest book is Country: Future Fire Future Farming, co-written with Bill Gammage.
Session: 2, 12, 33

Rhianna Patrick

Rhianna Patrick is a freelance Torres Strait Islander journalist and broadcaster with over 25 years’ experience.
Session: 4, 17, 30, 75

Andrew Quilty

Andrew Quilty is the recipient of nine Walkley Awards, including the Gold Walkley, for his work on Afghanistan. August in Kabul is his first book.
Session: 26, 73

Ben Quilty

Ben Quilty is an Australian artist and social commentator. Free Fall brings together his recent collection of paintings.
Session: 14, 55, 62, 87

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.
Sessions: 9, 37, G

Mirandi Riwoe

Mirandi Riwoe’s work includes The Burnished Sun, a collection of short stories and novellas, and Stone Sky Gold Mountain.
Session: 7, F

Rhoda Roberts

Widjabul woman Rhoda Roberts AO is an actor, journalist, producer, writer, artistic director and Creative Director First Nations at Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA).
Session: 38

David Roland

Dr David Roland is a narrative non-fiction writer and psychologist whose work is informed by his lived experience and his professional training. His latest book is The Power of Suffering.
Session: 11, 27, 90

Gina Rushton

Gina Rushton is a journalist, editor and author of The Most Important Job in the World.
Session: 37, 77, D

Mykaela Saunders

Mykaela Saunders is an award-winning Koori and Lebanese writer and the editor of This All Come Back Now, an anthology of blackfella speculative fiction.
Session: 53, C

James Schloeffel

James Schloeffel is founder of The Shovel, which is widely regarded as the country’s second most-loved satirical news service, after Sky News.
Sessions: 1, 15, 34, 55

Julianne Schultz

Professor Julianne Schultz AM FAHA is the founding editor of Griffith Review and the author of The Idea of Australia: The Search for the Soul of the Nation.
Session: 88

Tricia Shantz

Tricia Shantz is a Byron-based social geographer and research consultant. She is the author of Neverland: American & Australian Surfers in Byron Bay 1960s & 1970s.
Session: 84, A, M

Thando Sibanda

Thando Sibanda is a writer, performing poet and arts consultant based in Zimbabwe, concerned with the human challenges in the journey of life.
Sessions: 10, 39, 48

Margaret Simons

Margaret Simons is an award-winning freelance journalist and author. Her latest book is Penny Wong: Passion and Principle.
Session:12, 32, 52

Inga Simpson

Inga Simpson’s most recent books include the novel, The Last Woman in the World, and her first children’s book, The Book of Australian Trees, illustrated by Alicia Rogerson.
Sessions: 4, 15, 42, 55, 81

Jeff Sparrow

Jeff Sparrow is a writer, editor, broadcaster and Walkley award-winning journalist. His latest book is Crimes Against Nature: Capitalism and Global Heating.
Session: 16

Mary Spongberg

Professor Mary Spongberg is the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Academic Capability) at Southern Cross University.  Her most recent book is Empathetic Histories: Women Writers and the Nation's Past.
Session: 64, 80

Jeanti St Clair

Jeanti St Clair tells stories using audio, and describes herself as a story-catcher. She is a media and journalism lecturer at Southern Cross University and the creator of Lismore Flood Stories.
Sessions: 72, 84, 91, A

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.
Session: 43, D

Danny Teece-Johnson

Gamilaraay man Danny Teece-Johnson has been working in Black media for 20 years. He is producer/presenter of Triple A Murri Country's flagship show Let's Talk.
Session: 10, A

Mia Thom

Mia Thom is a Bundjalung climate activist, a co-organiser of the school strike for climate movement within the Byron Shire.
Session: 18, 92

Steve Toltz

Steve Toltz is the award-winning writer of A Fraction of the Whole and Quicksand. Here Goes Nothing is his latest book.
Session: 49, 89

Christos Tsiolkas

Christos Tsiolkas is the award-winning author of five novels, including Head On and The Slap. He is also a playwright, essayist and screenwriter. His latest book is 7½.
Session: 33, 74

Corey Tutt

Corey Tutt is the founder of DeadlyScience, a champion of STEM and the author of The First Scientists: Deadly Inventions and Innovations from Australia's First Peoples.
Session: 51, 75

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.
Session: 50, 70

Chelsea Watego

Chelsea Watego is a Munanjahli and South Sea Islander woman born and raised on Yuggera country. She is the author of the groundbreaking work, Another Day in the Colony.
Sessions: 5, 40, 81

Marian Wilkinson

Marian Wilkinson is an award winning journalist and contributor to The Saturday Paper. Her latest book, The Carbon Club, investigates the network behind Australia’s bitter political battles over climate change.
Session: 76

Leweena Williams

Leweena Williams is a Bundjalung woman and CEO of the Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Sessions: 41, 99

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.
Sessions: 25, 35

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.
Sessions: 29, 58, 86

Arnold Zable

Arnold Zable is an acclaimed writer and recipient of the 2021 Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature. His latest book is The Watermill.
Sessions: 13, 21

Adam van Kempen

Adam van Kempen has been Festival Chair since 2018. He also serves on the board of Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre and in his spare time, is the Principal of BvK Solicitors Attorneys.
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Full Program Announced 13 July