One of the award-winning authors headlining the Byron Bay Writers Festival has dedicated his latest novel to Ballina Greens MP Tamara Smith.
Texas-based author Dominic Smith’s recent novel The Last Painting of Sara de Vos ‘is one of the most anticipated Australian novels this year and has received extraordinary reviews worldwide,’ according to festival director Edwina Johnson.
It is dedicated to his sister Tamara.
Other new guests announced today include Wendy Whiteley, Janet Hawley and stars of children’s literature Anna Fienberg, Damon Young and Peter Carnavas.
Wendy Whiteley, also known as ‘goddess muse’ of the late, great artist Brett Whiteley will join the festival with Janet Hawley to talk about their book Wendy Whiteley and the Secret Garden detailing Wendy’s painstaking restoration of abandoned land in Lavender Bay where her husband and daughter’s ashes are scattered.
The young and young-at-heart will be delighted by the addition of Anna Fienberg, author of many award-winning books for children including the Tashi series, as well as writer Damon Young and illustrator Peter Canarvas whose laugh-out-loud picture book My Sister is a Superhero challenges stereotypes while celebrating sisters everywhere.
Set in a beautiful location with a diverse and thought-provoking program, this year’s festival will include more than 150 writers, poets, journalists, politicians and thinkers from all corners of the globe.
Workshops start on August 1 and early bird tickets are on sale until June 14 (unless sold out prior).
The full festival program will be announced on June 15.
To catch your early bird tickets go to www.byronwritersfestival.com.au
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