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June 14, 2026

Calling all budding wordsmiths

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Last year’s Heading North winner, Laksmi Wilson
Last year’s Heading North winner, Laksmi Wilson

The Byron Writers’ Festival is about more than just getting a chance to see and hear acclaimed and famous authors. It’s also about giving a leg up to people with the urge and talent to write themselves.

One person who would know all about that is the winner of last year’s Heading North short story competition  for young writers, Laksmi Wilson (pictured).

Both Heading North and the Pitch Perfect competition for writers with developed projects are now open for entries and among the prizes are tickets to the festival.

Northern Rivers Writers’ Centre writer development manager, Lisa Walker, said, ‘the Heading North short story competition generously sponsored by Byron and Districts ADFAS and the Bangalow Lions, is open to all residents of the northern rivers area between 16 and 25 years old’.

‘The first prize is $1,000 to go towards furthering the winner’s writing career, as well as a three-day festival pass and publication of the winning story in Northerly, the magazine of the NRWC. Stories may be up to 1,000 words long and the competition closes on Tuesday 2 July,’ Lisa said.

‘The Pitch Perfect competition is for those brave souls with a manuscript that’s ready to see a publisher and the courage to pitch their concept in front of the Festival audience to a panel of eager publishers.’

‘Six submissions will be selected and those winners will be invited to do their thing on Saturday 3 August at the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival.’

‘Pitch Perfect is always one of the festival highlights and has resulted in at least six successful publications to date. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday 3 July.’

For application forms and further details, contact the Writers’ Centre on 6685 5115 or look on the website at www.nrwc.org.au.

 

 



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Up to 550 homes pegged for Byron Shire’s newest suburb

Community feedback is now sought on three planning documents that will shape the future of Gulgan Village, a new residential suburb proposed on the elevated slopes of Saddle Road. 

Load limit increased for Byron Creek Bridge

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Festival and event grants on offer

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Dr Bronwyn Bancroft wins prestigious Ochre Award

Bundjalung woman and artist Dr Bronwyn Bancroft AM has received the Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence.