Director'''''''''''’s note

Warm greetings to you all and a farewell... As I write, our beautiful Northern Rivers region is struggling with the unprecedented and devastating floods that have inundated our towns, homes and farmland, impacting the lives of so many, so tragically. But there is a dogged resilience and powerful connectedness in our community and it is truly inspiring to see the tenacity, generosity and care expressed by friends, neighbours and total strangers. The floods coincide with the final days of my tenure as Director of Byron Writers Festival. As I reflect on past Festival programs, I feel both satisfaction and delight and a yearning for the Festival’s live return this year. I will look forward to joining you in the audience. I am thrilled to hand over the reins to the new Artistic Director and creative powerhouse Zoë Pollock who I have known and admired for a long time. Together with my esteemed colleague, the talented Emma Keenan as Executive Director, I know that they will lead the Festival team to a much-anticipated return to the stage in 2022. Being custodian of this much-loved regional event that celebrates writers, big ideas, community and connection has been the most rewarding eight years of my career. My inestimable thanks go to all the authors who have participated in the Byron Writers Festivals over these past life-affirming years. It has been an honour to showcase your writings and trigger those vital conversations that examine the world as it is – and imagine how it might be. In closing my final northerly contribution may I congratulate our colleague Emily Brugman on the publication of her brilliant first novel The Islands and thank the fabulous Byron Writers Festival team and the Board for their trust and support. Indeed, my heartfelt thanks to everyone I have worked with during this time – for your creativity, professionalism, support, and friendship. And by way of farewell I would like to quote past Festival guest, poet Lemn Sissay:

There are big tents and little tents and a Green Room and it's absolutely perfect. All a writers' festival need do is show love for its authors and that will radiate to the audience and gather an energy of its own. That energy is here!... Goodbye Byron Bay Festival you absolute beauty. May the big heart of Byron Writers Festival find its way to the stage again in 2022.

With thanks and best wishes to you all,

Edwina Johnson Director, Byron Writers Festival