Writers on the Road revs up

Byron Writers Festival’s regional touring program, Writers on the Road, hits the road at the end of March 2020, for a series of free community events.

Writers on the Road, the free Byron Writers Festival touring program, is taking the road less travelled this year with a crew of literary renegades. Acclaimed authors and artists on board include Indigenous illustrator Dub Leffler, writer and recovering teacher Gabbie Stroud, bestselling author Kayte Nunn and Jewish, queer, non-binary writer Nevo Zisin. They are not scared to ask the dangerous questions – or to answer them, for that matter. ‘Writers on the Road began in 2014 and so many of the conversations started then are as important today,’ says tour manager, Zacharey Jane. ‘And so much of that comes from the people we meet on the road: we love getting out into the region and hearing what readers have to say.’ Writers on the Road takes awardwinning Australian authors, illustrators and poets to regional towns in northern NSW for free school workshops and community events. It boasts alumni of renowned writers including Kristina Olsson, Michael Robotham, Jock Serong, Lian Hearn, Ashley Hay, Nick Earls, Ellen van Neerven and Omar Sakr, among many others. This year the tour bus will stop in Bellingen, Harwood, Evans Head and Bonalbo before heading back to Byron Bay. ‘We are so grateful to Create NSW for continuing to fund this unique community program,’ says Byron Writers Festival Director, Edwina Johnson. ‘Over the years it has created valuable connections between our touring writers and communities all over the Northern Rivers. The writers love sharing their stories on the road with readers, and each other.’ Due to the popularity of Writers on the Road, the program will offer two tours in 2020, the second scheduled for the week before the annual Byron Writers Festival in August, with dates and towns announced in May.

So come and share your ideas about the world with four of our most creative thinkers. Details are at byronwritersfestival.com/wotr/ It’s fine to turn up on the night, but best to call the venues to book for these free events.

Tour dates Monday 30 March at 5.30pm Bellingen Library Hyde Street, Bellingen (02) 6655 1744 Tuesday 31 March at 6.00pm Harwood Hotel 2 Morpeth Street, Harwood (02) 6646 4223 Wednesday 1 April at 5.30pm Evans Head Library Woodburn Street, Evans Head (02) 6660 0374 Thursday 2 April at 6.00pm Bonalbo Memorial Hall Stratheden Street, Bonalbo Friday 3 April at 6.00pm The Book Room Fletcher Street, Byron Bay (02) 6685 8183