Three days of inspiring conversations and stories this weekend at Bangalow Showground
relaxed and friendly vibe, stunning festival grounds and of course, its incredible three-day program. But how do you ‘do’ a writers festival? Here’s our guide to help you tailor your festival experience.
What happens at the festival?
With a similar set-up to a music festival, day pass holders can wander between six venues (five outdoor marquees and the A&I Hall) and choose what they want to see on the day. Be inspired by the festival’s
The festival brings writers and thinkers from many walks of life to Byron Shire. They are artists, environmentalists, journalists, poets, philosophers, musicians, politicians, activists and of course, novelists.
biggest names in one-one-one conversations, engage with brilliant ideas and contemporary issues, and discover new writers to nourish your soul and revive your mind. Kick on into the evening at separately ticketed Feature Events with highlight authors from the festival.
Welcome to Byron Writers Festival 2024
I’m so delighted to welcome you to our 2024 festival. Writers from around the world will join us at Bangalow Showground for three days in celebration of books and ideas. We’ve curated an extensive lineup of Australian and international writers with brilliant new titles, including novelists, memoirists, poets, journalists, comedians, actors and musicians. Together we will traverse all aspects of storytelling, from politics to novels of the zeitgeist, to the beauty of language.
Join us under the trees for compelling conversations and performances, and wander between six venues, enjoying delicious food and
artisan markets, and a sculpture walk. Meet your favourite authors at book signings after each session, with books on sale from The Book Room.
Bring your little readers on Sunday 11 August for the Kids
Big Day Out, with authors across two stages presenting talks, workshops and activities to delight our writers of the future. Learn about native wildlife with Bob Brown, speak te reo Māori with Miss Nicky Says, get drawing tips from illustrator Peter Carnavas, among many other excit
ing and bestselling writers for kids.
With over 160 writers across three days, this is our biggest festival yet. Be a part of this annual gathering at the heart of the Northern Rivers cultural life.
– Jessica Alice, Artistic Director
Eat, drink and shop!
There are plenty of tasty food options on site, plus coffee! The festival bar is open from 4pm on Friday and Saturday in the A&I Hall, and Bangalow Lions Club operates an on-site bar each day. The Book Room presents the festival bookshop, where you can meet authors for signings after their sessions. Explore the popular sculpture walk or take home a memento from our artisan market stalls.
Do I need to be a writer to enjoy the festival?
No! Byron Writers Festival is for everyone – whether you read one or 100 books a year. Most people attend to engage with new ideas, enjoy the bohemian vibe, and fall in love with books.
What’s the best ticket type for me?
1-Day and 3-Day passes give access to all sessions on your chosen day or days – 35 sessions each day. Passes are selling fast, so book now! Our new Youth Pass for people under 25 years is available for each day of the festival. There are also
discounted tickets for pensioners and concession card holders.
Separately ticketed Feature Events, Workshops and Satellite Events take place during festival week and in the evenings. Explore the program at byronwritersfestival. com/festival-program.
Can I take the kids?
Yes! Sunday 11 August presents Kids Big Day Out, a wonderful program of entertainment. A Kids Big Day Out Pass admits one child (6-12 years) and one adult to the kids marquees for $55, with additional children for $20 each.
Parking and shuttle bus
To park at Bangalow Showground you’ll need a $5 Parking Pass for each day you intend to park. A free festival shuttle bus operates every hour between the Byron Bay Interchange (Butler Street), Cavanbah Centre (Ewingsdale Road) and the festival site from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 August. Free car parking is available at Cavanbah Centre for shuttle bus patrons. See details at byronwritersfestival.com/travel.
■ All festival tickets are available at byronwriterfestival.com/tickets.
Feature Events
Powerful conversations, exhilarating poetry, and all the things you wish you’d said
Keep the conversations flowing into the evening at Byron Writers Festival’s separately ticketed Feature Events on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 August. Tickets at byronwritersfestival.com
Electric Poetics
Bob Brown in Conversation
Kick off Friday night at the festival with an all-star lineup of poets from India, Aotearoa/NZ and Australia. This electrifying evening of poetry and music features the best of the best, including Jazz Money, Nam Le, Tayi Tibble (NZ), Meena Kandasamy (India), winners fresh from the Poets Out Loud and Australian Poetry Slam heats, with performances by hip hop artist Mitch King and Nicole Smede.
Hosted by the inimitable Mandy Nolan, this is a festival highlight you don’t want to miss!
Friday 9 August, 6.30pm | A&I Hall, Bangalow | $30 (bar open from 4pm)
Festival Gala: From The Ground Up
Hear ideas to change our world at the annual festival Gala! Hosted by ABC First Tuesday Book Club ’s Jennifer Byrne, acclaimed guests of the festival will grace the Byron Theatre stage to deliver powerful and entertaining talks inspired by the 2024 theme ‘From the Ground Up’.
Featuring twice Booker Prize-shortlisted Nigerian author Chigozie Obioma, new Late Night Live host David Marr, Four Corners investigative journalist Louise Milligan, Parramatta’s first laureate in literature Yumna Kassab, and Darumbal and South Sea Islander journalist Amy McQuire, see some of the brightest minds of the festival in one night.
Friday 9 August, 8pm | Byron Theatre | $40
Join Bob Brown, former senator and parliamentary leader of the Australian Greens, for an intimate evening of discussion. What prompted Bob to write a young adult ‘novelette’, and what can it teach us about engaging young people in the fight for Earth’s future? His most recent book, Thera, is his first work of fiction, but why was it rejected by four publishers? Bob says there is a new revolution in the air and young people are the hope of the Earth. His motto: ‘Don’t get depressed, get active.’ Bob will be joined in conversation by television presenter and journalist Jan Fran.
Saturday 10 August, 6pm | A&I Hall, Bangalow | $35 (bar open from 4pm)
Better Off Said
Better Off Said: Eulogies for the Living and Dead is a spokenword salon celebrating words, stories, and human experiences. Is there someone still out there in the world waiting to hear an important message, or a time in history you wish you used your voice?
Festival guests Ali Cobby Eckermann, William McInnes, Jim Moginie, Steph Tisdell and Leo Vardiashvili (UK) will speak to the phrase ‘the words I wish I’d said’ and deliver a Living Eulogy to someone or something still of this earth, to celebrate the best in our lives while we’re here to hear it.
Hosted by Emilie Zoey Baker and produced by Marieke Hardy. Saturday 10 August, 8pm | A&I Hall, Bangalow | $35
Chigozie Obioma Jennifer Byrne Mandy Nolan Jan Fran
Meena Kandasamy Bob Brown Steph Tisdell
Friday highlights
Start your festival weekend on Friday 9 August with a packed lineup of literary stars, starting with the Welcome to Country by Arakwal custodian Delta Kay at 8.15am. Here are some of the highlights available to Friday pass holders.
Becoming Murdoch (4)
Eric Beecher & Walter Marsh
The Murdoch media empire and its patriarch have global influence on markets and politics. Join journalist Walter Marsh (Young Rupert) and Crikey owner Eric Beecher (The Men Who Killed the News) for an exploration of the man behind the empire. With Julianne Schultz.
8.45am Lilly Pilly
Women Make History (2)
Meg Keneally & Victoria Purman
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.
9.15am Hakea
Life on the Page: Writing Memoir (8)
Kris Kneen, William McInnes, Nova Weetman
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. 10am Lilly Pilly
History: Facts & Fictions (14)
Sarah Percy, Kate Fullager, David Marr
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 ( Forgotten Warriors ), Kate Fullagar (Bennelong and Phillip) and David Marr (Killing For Country), with Walter Marsh. 11.30am A&I Hall
Prima Facie (16)
Susie Miller
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 Steph Harmon. 1.00pm Hakea
Question 7 (20)
Richard Flanagan
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. With Jill Eddington. 2.00pm Acacia
Hard By a Great Forest (25)
Leo Vardiashvili
Saba is a child when he flees the fighting in the Soviet Republic of Georgia with his brother and father. Decades later, all three struggle to make peace with the past. Join Leo Vardiashvili to discuss his powerful and hopeful novel about the trauma of war, and the spirit to survive. With Jennifer Byrne. 3.15pm Acacia
Sassafras (34)
Rebecca Huntley
Byron Writers Festival presents the launch of Sassafras! Sociologist Rebecca Huntley didn’t know what ailed her, but she knew it was embedded deep within her mind. Sassafras is the story of Rebecca’s experience of MDMA treatment. With Steph Harmon. 4.30pm A&I Hall. Free event! The Festival bar in the A&I Hall is open from 4pm.
Delta Kay Richard Flanagan Susie Miller
David Marr
- 3.00pm Question 7 (20)
- 4.15pm Hard by a Great Forest (25)
8.30am - 10.00am ABC North Coast Live Broadcast (3)
LILLY PILLY PRESENTED BY GREENSTONE PARTNERS
MELALEUCA MARQUEE 11.00am - 12.00pm Always Will Be (12) 12.15pm - 1.15pm The Visitors (17) 1.30pm - 2.30pm Coming of Age Stories (22) 2.45pm - 3.45pm Split (27) 4.00pm - 5.00pm Anthologies: One Vision, Many Voices (32)
8.45am - 9.45am Becoming Murdoch (4) 10.00am - 11.00am Life on the Page: Writing Memoir (8) 11.15am - 12.15pm SelfPublishing (13) 12.30pm - 1.30pm Ethics in Crime Writing (18) 1.45pm - 2.45pm Powerful Short Stories (23) 3.00pm - 4.00pm Re-writing Colonial Myths (28) 4.15pm - 5.15pm Sisters (33)
A&I HALL PRESENTED BY THE SATURDAY PAPER 10.15am - 11.15am Kin & Community (9) 11.30am - 12.30am History: Facts & Fictions (14) 12.45pm - 1.45pm A Seat at My Table: Philoxenia (19) 2.00pm - 3.00pm Home to Biloela (24) 3.15pm - 4.15pm Elite Privilege (29) 4.30pm - 5.30pm Sassafras (34)
- 5.30pm Imperial Harvest (30) ACACIA PRESENTED BY VASUDHARA 9.00am - 10.00am Stone Yard Devotional (35) 10.15am - 11.15am The Art of Writing Crime (40) 11.30am - 12.30pm Our ABC? (45) 12.45pm - 1.45pm The Road to the Country (50) 2.00pm - 3.00pm Psychedelic Medicines (55) 3.15pm - 4.15pm Black Duck: A Year at Yumburra (60) 4.30pm - 5.30pm Grace (65) (2) 10.30am - 11.30am Holding Power to Account (7) 11.45am - 12.45pm Fantasy Worlds (11) 1.00pm - 2.00pm Prima Facie (16) 2.15pm - 3.15pm Poetry Month Showcase (21) 3.30pm - 4.30pm Planet Ocean (26) 4.45pm - 5.45pm Democracy Under Threat (31)
HAKEA PRESENTED BY SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY
MELALEUCA MARQUEE
9.15am - 10.15am Animals, Us and Them (36) 10.30am - 11.30am For The Earth (41) 11.45am - 12.45pm Lola in the Mirror (46) 1.00pm - 2.00pm Woven (51) 2.15pm - 3.15pm 36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem (56) 3.30pm - 4.30pm Yeah, Nah! (61) 4.45pm - 5.45pm Aboriginal Sporting Legends (66)
9.00am - 10.00am Hazzard and Harrower (37) 10.15am - 11.15am Archaeology of Memory (42) 11.30am - 12.30pm Writing With Humour (47) 12.45pm - 1.45pm Writing Pain (52) 2.00pm - 3.00pm The Drowning (57) 3.15pm - 4.15pm The Mega Election Year (62) 4.30pm - 5.15pm On Grief (67)
LILLY PILLY PRESENTED BY GREENSTONE PARTNERS 8.45am - 9.45am Family Ties (38) 10.00am - 11.00am It’s Not Just Cricket (43) 11.15am - 12.15pm Media & Justice (48) 12.30pm - 1.30pm Killing for Country (53) 1.45pm - 2.45pm Politica (58) 3.00pm - 4.00pm For Life (63) 4.15pm - 5.15pm Love, Sex & Autism (68)
A&I HALL PRESENTED BY THE SATURDAY PAPER 8.45am - 9.45am Coffee & Papers (39) 10.00am - 11.00am Future of the Liberal Party (44) 11.15am - 12.15pm Thea Astley Address (49) 12.30pm - 1.30pm Writing for Performance (54) 1.45pm - 2.45pm Generational Inequality (59) 3.00pm - 4.00pm Some People Want to Shoot Me (64) 4.15pm - 5.15pm Slick: Australia’s Toxic Relationship with Big Oil (69)
HAKEA PRESENTED BY SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY
MELALEUCA MARQUEE
9.15am - 10.15am Art & Power (71) 10.30am - 11.30am The Prison Healer (76) 11.45am - 12.45pm The Alternatives (80) 1.00pm - 2.00pm The Silver River (84) 2.15pm - 3.15pm The Mungo Panel: Press Freedom (89) 3.30pm - 4.15pm Poetry as Practice (94)
9.00am - 10.00am America at War with Itself (72) 10.15am - 11.15am The Power of Creativity (77) 11.30am - 12.30pm Balcony Over Jerusalem (81) 12.45pm - 1.45pm Close to the Subject (85) 2.00pm - 3.00pm Unsung (90) 3.15pm - 4.00pm Love, Death & Other Scenes (95) 4.15pm - 4.45pm Shire Choir (97)
LILLY PILLY PRESENTED BY GREENSTONE PARTNERS 12.45pm - 1.45pm North Coast Noir (86) 2.00pm - 3.00pm Mothers (91) 3.15pm - 4.00pm Voices of Regional Australia (96)
A&I HALL PRESENTED BY THE SATURDAY PAPER 9.00am - 10.00am Deadlock: Ending Fossil Fuels (74) 10.15am - 11.15am Fat Girl Dancing (78) 11.30am - 12.30pm Exiles (82) 12.45pm - 1.45pm Status Anxiety (87) 2.00pm - 3.00pm Unique (92) 9.00am - 12.30pm Kids Big Day Out (73)
FRIDAY 09 AUGUST
SATURDAY 10 AUGUST
SUNDAY 11 AUGUST
- 10.00am Good Mourning podcast (101) 10.15am - 11.15am Everest, Guns & Money (102) 11.30am - 12.30pm Karkalla at Home (103)
12.45pm - 1.45pm Rainforest Warriors (104) 2.00pm - 3.00pm How We Love (105) 3.15pm - 4.15pm Poetry Walk (106)
9.00am - 11.30am Kids Big Day Out (107) 12.30pm - 1.30pm Creative First Aid Workshop (108) 2.00pm - 3.00pm My Cousin Frank (109)
Saturday highlights
Saturday Pass holders access a world of stories with a jam-packed lineup – starting with your morning coffee. Here are just some of the compelling sessions on offer.
Coffee & Papers (39)
Clive Hamilton, Marina Kamenev, Isabelle Reinecke
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.
8.45am A&I Hall
Stone Yard Devotional (35)
Charlotte Wood
– 2024 Booker Prize nominee!
Join Charlotte Wood to discuss her latest novel Stone Yard Devotional – longlisted for the 2024 Miles Franklin Award and recently the 2024 Booker Prize – 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 Jill Eddington. 9.00am Acacia
The Art of Writing Crime (40)
Jane Harper, Candice Fox, Dinuka McKenzie
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.
10.15am Acacia
Lola in the Mirror (46)
Trent Dalton & Julia Baird
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.
11.45am Hakea
The Road to the Country (50)
Chigozie Obioma
Set in 1960s Nigeria, The Road to the Country is the epic story of a university student conscripted 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.
12.45pm Acacia
36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem (36)
Nam Le
Fifteen years after his best-selling, awardwinning 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.
2.15pm Hakea
The Mega Election Year (62)
Nick Bryant, Meena Kandasamy, John Lyons
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 (The Forever War), Meena Kandasamy (Tomorrow Someone Will Arrest You ) and John Lyons ( Balcony Over Jerusalem) to discuss the results and the consequences to come. With Misha Ketchell. 3.15pm Melaleuca
Slick (69)
Royce Kurmelovs
Byron Writers Festival presents the launch of Slick by 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. With Isabelle Reinecke. 4.15pm A&I Hall. Free event! The festival bar in the A&I Hall is open from 4pm.
Home to the world’s largest natural crystals where you can sit in an ancient amethyst cave. Wander the tranquil Shambhala Gardens, enjoy breathtaking views, delicious lunch and Crystal Sound Healing.
Open 7 days per week, 10am — 5pm 81 Monet Drive, Mullumbimby, NSW
Charlotte Wood Trent Dalton
Julia Baird Nam Le
Beautiful new clinic in Newrybar Village
Sunday highlights
We are committed to the highest standard of care in all of our treatments. Remedial / Deep Tissue / Lymphatic Drainage / Sports / Relaxation / Pregnancy / Trigger Point / Dry Needling / Cupping / Bowen. Instant health fund rebates available. Book online now! Visit bbrmassage.com.au or call 0499 490 088
BIG VOICE CHOIRS
Choirs for all people led by Janet Swain and Gina Ogilvie
GOSPEL SONGS: SEMESTER 2 5 August – 8 December
Starting Monday 5 August
Brunswick Picture House or Tuesday 13 August
M-Arts precinct, Murwillumbah
Contact Janet Swain 0438 965 397 sdynastymusic@gmail.com
Face Yoga Australia
A natural facelift for a youthful look 0429 843 782
CLASS 5th Sep
faceyogaaustralia.com
KIND BUSINESS
Values create Value
“This powerful book bridges the gap between commercial success and compassionate leadership”
Sunday at the festival is full of big ideas and uplifting joy. Bring the little ones to Kids Big Day Out from 9am, and finish your day with the transcendent Shire Choir.
Art & Power (71)
Bri Lee & Jessie Tu
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, while Tu’s The Honeyeater is the follow up to acclaimed bestseller A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing. With Courtney Miller.
9.15am Hakea
War & Brotherhood (75)
Chigozie Obioma & Leo Vardiashvili
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. With Kerry O’Brien.
10.15am Acacia
The Alternatives (80)
Caoilinn Hughes
Join gifted Irish storyteller, Caoilinn Hughes, in conversation about her latest book. The Alternatives follows four brilliant Irish sisters, orphaned in childhood, who scramble to reconnect when the oldest disappears into the countryside. With Bri Lee.
11.45am Hakea
North Coast Noir (86)
Bryan Brown & Dinuka McKenzie
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. With P.A. Thomas.
12.45pm Lilly Pilly
Kids Big Day Out
Kids Big Day Out returns on Sunday to the Lilly Pilly marquee with a stellar line-up of stories and music, hosted by Zanni Louise. A perfect outing for the whole family, kids can also get involved with interactive sessions in our workshop space at The Coolamon.
Lilly Pilly
9:00am Ella Bancroft
9:30am Kate & Jol Temple
10:00am Peter Carnavas
10:30am Matt Stanton
11:00am Nova Weetman
11:30am Bob Brown
12:00pm Student Writing Prizes
The Coolamon Storytime: 9:00am Cheryl Leavy
9:30am Miss Nicky
Workshops: 10:00am Megan Daley
11:00am Peter Carnavas
Unsung (90)
Kate Ceberano
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. It’s proof of a lifetime lived in music. With Chris Hanley.
2pm Melaleuca
The Mungo Panel: Press Freedom (89)
Nick Bryant, Amy McQuire, Louise Milligan
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. With Julianne Schultz. 2.15pm Hakea
My Story (93)
Nicky Winmar
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. 3.15pm Acacia
Held at Bangalow Showground and A&I Hall, Market Street, Bangalow. Gates open daily at 8am daily. Free shuttle bus from Byron Bay!
FRI 9 – SUN 11 AUGUST 2024 byronwritersfestival.com
