May 13, 2013

Join me in Byron for a Literary Feast




I’m lucky enough to call Byron Bay home. It’s a wonderful place for a writer to live. Lots of great spots to sit and write that offer fabulous views, great coffee and an eclectic mix of people just to keep things interesting.

But Byron offers writers (and readers) something else very special. We have our own writers’ festival.  The Byron Bay Writers’ began in 1997 with just fifty writers.  This year’s Festival will feature over 100 writers over three days.


The 2013 program is yet to be launched by returning Festival Director Jeni Caffin, but so far we know about two literary legends, the Booker Prize winners DBC Pierre and Peter Carey. MJ Hyland is also coming back. Her second novel Carry Me Down was shortlisted for the 2006 Booker Prize. Other authors that have been announced include Steve Bisley, Robert Drewe, Richard Gill, Kerry Greenwood, Anita Heiss, Cate Kennedy, Paul Kelly, Judith Lucy, Melissa Lucashenko, Maxine McKew, Archie Roach. There will also be lots of local Northern Rivers' talent.

One of the best things about the Festival is that you pay one ticket price and you can stay the whole day. How you plan your day is completely up to you as you move between the marquees, which feature the talent.  There’s amazing sculptures to enjoy, wonderful food, book launches, an onsite bookshop, author signings and so much more. The week prior to the Festival also features an array of fabulous writing workshops, so you can make it a writing holiday!

If you have a completed manuscript, think about entering the Pitch Perfect competition. The top six submissions are invited to pitch their book idea to a panel of publishers on Saturday 3 August at the Festival. I’ve been to the last couple of Pitch Perfect events. The quality of the pitches is very high and can lead to a publishing contract. A friend of mine was contracted from pitching at this event. The deadline is for Pitch Perfect is Wednesday 3 July, so get polishing.

A few years ago I managed the publicity for the Festival and met so many amazing people (I still have Kamahl on speed dial from his poetry debut). Authors at the Byron Festival mingle very freely with the public and there are lots of opportunities to chat. The whole event is very relaxed but full of brilliant literary discourse.

If you have kids, think about heading to the dedicated children’s program, which is always fantastic and often very funny.

Early bird tickets are still available but word on the street is that they are selling out fast.  So, do yourself a favour and come to Byron for three days of writerly fun. I’ll be there as the gates open every day, so see you there!

11 comments:

  1. I've heard so many fabulous things about Byron Bay I promised myself I'd make it over one day...alas it won't be in time for the festival. Enjoy!

    We do, however, have a readers and writers festival of our own this weekend here in Auckland and I'm popping in to town for that- I'm going to a workshop on creativity- man, today I really need it!

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  2. Sounds like you're in for a fabulous day, Louisa! Make sure you let me know when you're coming to BB. We can walk up to the lighthouse together and I'll show you where to buy the best coffee!

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  3. Am jealous, Jenn! We had the inaugural Newcastle Writers Festival down my way a few weeks ago and it was a big hit. Is there a romance panel? Have fun and we expect a full report next month! :-)

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  4. Have been trying to get a romance panel at the BB Festival for three years, Michelle. Hopefully next year. Will definitely report back.

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  5. Jenn, I love Byron Bay! I spent all my holidays there as a child. In fact, I was just going through some family photos on the weekend and found some glorious shots of the beaches at Byron. So jealous that you live there!

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  6. Rachel, you live in a beautiful part of the world too. Byron is fab, but I do miss the city sometimes.

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  7. Would love to get to the festival Jen but its too close to Freemantle to justify to my hubby :-)

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  8. Jennifer, this sounds terrific. Sadly I can't make it this year but remind me early next year and I'll try to get there. I haven't visited Byron for ages. A romance panel would be so terrific! Enjoy!

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  9. Would love to see you there, Amy. Perhaps next year!!

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  10. Am working hard on trying to get a romance panel up, Annie. Fingers crossed for next year. Will certainly remind you next year!!!

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  11. Jennifer, it's been years and years and years since I've been to Byron Bay! I bet it's changed HEAPS! LOL

    I've heard great things about the Writer's Festival there and it looks like you've got another fabulous event lined up!

    :)

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