As
many of you know, I’m the Chair of the Byron Writers Festival. A few weeks ago,
we launched our Early Bird tickets and revealed the following first line-up of guests. These
include: Manal al-Sharif, Anne Aly,
Jessie Cole, Michelle de Kretser, Robert Drewe, Eskil Engdal, Jane Harper, Tom
Keneally, Miriam Lancewood, Hyeonseo Lee, Tracey Moffatt, Oliver Phommavanh,
Tanya Plibersek, David Ritter, Tim Rogers, Kjetil Saeter, Lemn Sissay, Gregory
Smith and Sarah Wilson. The rest of the program is still under wraps.
Has
anyone read Jane Harper? I’m a huge fan. Her first book The Dry kept me up reading late into the night. The Dry is an international bestseller and has been optioned by the production company behind the film Gone Girl. More
sleepless nights followed with her second story, A Force of Nature.
This
week, the full festival program goes on sale and then I can tell you
everything. And, maybe, just maybe there might be something romantic in the air.
So, Byron is the place to be from 3-5
August where you will enjoy the wisdom and musings of the 140 writers, thinkers and commentators. Any chance
I will see you there?
