From the ground up – dig into the best of Byron Writers Festival 2024
For us lit lovers, Byron Writers Festival is like a mega music festival, but here, writers are the rock stars. Nestled in the picturesque hinterland town of Bangalow, the festival offers a unique opportunity to not only see our literary idols but to mingle with them. With an action-packed line-up of authors, book launches, workshops, panels and kid-friendly fun, there’s bound to be an event that suits every book worm …
Byron Writers Festival at Bangalow Showground is a celebration of storytelling at its finest. Surrounded by lush flora and fauna, attendees can sprawl out on the grass, soaking up conversations with friends and strangers alike. This year’s festival from August 9–11 showcases the theme ‘From the ground up’ and will feature 160 Australian and international guests over three days. Let’s dig into this thought-provoking literary feast with some of our personal favourites …
Kick things off on Friday August 9 by exploring the world of True Crime with intrepid journalists and authors Matthew Condon and Gideon Haigh. Join Guardian culture editor Steph Harmon as she chats with playwright Suzie Miller about her internationally acclaimed play, Prima Facie. Dive deep into Planet Ocean, a discussion with author James Bradley, climate scientist Joëlle Gergis and oceanographer Daniel Harrison about our natural world, its role in humanity’s and our planet’s future. History buffs won’t want to miss Re-writing Colonials Myths with Melissa Lucashenko (Edenglassie) and Kate Fullagar (Bennelong and Phillip). See an all-star lineup of poets from around the world in Electric Poetics. Bringing the first day’s program to a close, head to Byron Theatre for the Keynote Gala: From the Ground Up – powerful and entertaining talks from high-profile guests of the festival inspired by the 2024 festival theme.
The fun continues on Saturday August 10 as festival favourite Trent Dalton chats with Julia Baird about his most recent work, the magical and moving Lola in the Mirror. Charlotte Wood discusses her latest novel Stone Yard Devotional – longlisted for the 2024 Miles Franklin Award – a deeply moving novel about forgiveness, grief, and what it means to be ‘good’. Following the success of his bestseller Dark Emu, Bruce Pascoe and his partner Lyn Harwood invite us to imagine a different future for Australia in Black Duck: A Year at Yumburra. Get ready for laughs as acclaimed author and actor William McInnes discusses Yeah, Nah! – a collection of hilarious memories and moments inspired by Australia’s way with words. If you love native ingredients but wouldn’t have the faintest idea how to cook with them, don’t miss Karkalla at Home: Native Foods & Everyday Recipes for Connecting to Country, with chef, author and proud Bundjalung woman Mindy Woods. Join Bob Brown, former senator and parliamentary leader of the Australian Greens, for an intimate evening of discussion about engaging young people in the fight for Earth’s future. Round off your day celebrating stories and human experiences with moving and hilarious letters read by First Nations poet Ali Cobby Eckermann, actor William McInnes, Midnight Oil’s Jim Moginie, comedian Steph Tisdell, and Georgian novelist Leo Vardiashvili in Better Off Said: Eulogies for the Living and Dead.
Sunday August 11 is another jam-packed day starting with Art & Power, where Bri Lee and Jessie Tu discuss their compelling new releases. Get creative with Australian music legend Kate Ceberano and Creative First Aid authors Caitlin Marshall and Lizzie Rose for an inspiring discussion on The Power Of Creativity. If crime stories are your kryptonite, Louise Milligan discusses her big-hearted thriller and brilliantly original debut crime novel, Pheasants Nest. Settle in for an afternoon of heart-opening discussion as Nova Weetman reflects on experiences of love and loss from throughout her life, including losing her beloved partner, playwright Aidan Fennessy, during the 2020 Covid lockdown, in her unforgettable memoir Love, Death & Other Scenes.
But Byron Writers Festival is not just for adults with Sunday August 11 being Kids Big Day Out! Budding young writers are sure to be inspired when the Lilly Pilly marquee morphs into a sprawling, immersive storytelling haven. Here, authors and illustrators will grace the stage, ready to captivate and enchant both kids and adults alike. Beyond the stage, children can dive into the StoryBoard area at The Coolamon, where the renowned StoryBoard bus and tipi village burst into life, offering free workshops to inspire the next generation of writers and storytellers.
Hungry for more? Head to the Byron Writers Festival website for the full program. If you’re chomping at the bit to attend, you can purchase a three-day pass for $315.
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