Never been to Byron Writers Festival? We ask Byron resident and festival-lover Emily Brugman, 27, her top tips for the first-time festival-goer.
Tell us a bit about the festival.
The Byron Writers Festival is a three-day event that brings writers and thinkers from many walks of life to Byron Bay. It’s set up a bit like a music festival, with six stages that you can move between as you please, featuring panel discussions, debates, conversations and Q&As with Australian and international guests. All of the speakers are writers of some kind, but their works span a huge variety of topics – they are artists, environmentalists, journalists, philosophers, musicians and activists, as well as novelists of course.
As such, the topics they discuss are also quite varied. I love fiction, and especially Australiana, so I seek out sessions with authors of that ilk and always go away feeling inspired. I get along to a few politics style debates, and I like to be amazed by leading figures speaking about curious discoveries I’ve never heard of.
Because the festival is not just about writing or reading fiction, there are heaps of great panels to go to with friends who don’t necessarily read what you read, such as those featuring well-loved musos, poets or artists.
Do you need to be a writer to enjoy Byron Writers Festival?
Definitely not. The festival is for readers of all kinds, for music lovers and art lovers alike. I think a lot of people go to listen to timely discussions about the state of our world and the environment, to hear journalists and foreign correspondents unpack some of the issues we hear or read about in the media, and to find out about new and innovative ideas. It’s a good place to meet other curious-minded people, and to fall in love with new books. But if you are a writer, you won’t be disappointed – the program always includes a healthy dose of literary luminaries talking about the secrets of their craft.
Do you need to go to all three days?
No. A three-day pass will give you access to all sessions at the festival from Friday August 4 to Sunday 6, which is a nice experience because you can dip in and out of sessions as you please. But if you can’t go for the whole three days, or if there’s one day you are particularly interested in, you can buy a one-day pass for Friday, Saturday or Sunday. There’s also a series of feature events, which are individually ticketed events outside the main festival program in venues across Byron Bay and the wider region. Plus there are a few free events.
What are your top tips for this year’s festival that you think other young people would enjoy?
I’m looking forward to hearing Hannah Kent speaking about her latest book, as well as how she tackles writing, in a session called A Sense of Place. And I’m keen to hear a session called Stories of Nature’s Great Connectors, which is about the hidden social lives of trees. I’ll be rallying my mates to come to the Rails with me on Thursday night to have a beer and see Clementine Ford with other young guns, discussing ‘My Most Controversial Thought’ (that one’s free). And lastly, I’ll be heading along to a feature event called Bedtime Stories, at Byron Theatre, where Sarah Blasko’s live music will punctuate storytelling by John Safran, Hannah Kent and others.
• For more on Byron Writers Festival visit byronwritersfestival.com
More Byron Writers Festival 2017 articles:
Tex Talks
Tex is a funny prick. In an industry full of people who take themselves SO seriously, Perkins is a breath of fresh air.
The life and times of Jimmy Barnes
Interview with Mandy Nolan “I didn’t write the story hoping for forgiveness. I wrote it hoping for life.” Prolific songwriter and performer, Jimmy Barnes has been a storyteller for more than 40 years, sharing his life and passions with Australians of...
Book Reviews by Byron Bay Public School Students
Grace Author: Morris Gleitzman Reviewed by: Billie Aitken-McGregor Class: Age 11 Byron Bay Public School “We were a happy family. We were bountiful. But it came to pass that I started doing sins. And that’s when all our problems began.” Imagine having your father taken...
The Reef, trees and stars at Writers Festival
This year’s Byron Writers Festival hosts a range of conversations for those interested in delving into the environment, astronomy and science, led by some of the world’s leading scientific minds. From discoveries made below the waterline, to those made...
Terrorism, politics and betrayals collide in debut novel from Tony Jones
Tony Jones was still at school when Lionel Murphy raided ASIO. After an ABC cadetship, he joined Four Corners as a reporter in 1985, and later Dateline at SBS in 1986. He subsequently was an ABC foreign correspondent, for...
Robert Drewe releases new novel, Whipbird
Bangalow local Robert Drewe is an Australian literary legend whose more than 20 highly acclaimed books, including novels, short stories and memoirs have won state, national and international prizes, been widely translated, and been adapted for film, television, theatre...
Time for Rock’n’Roll at Byron Writers Festival
Byron Writers Festival will feature stars of the Australian music industry who not only can hold a tune but also can hold a pen, and have written or co-written revealing memoirs, and a novel. Read on for more about...
Cosentino’s greatest trick may not be what you think
Trapped underwater in agonising pain, shackled and sinking and desperately trying not to give in to the urgent need to breathe, I really thought maybe I had pushed myself too far this time. The scar was still fresh from...
There’s a kids’ big day out at Byron Writers Festival
Byron Writers Festival has pulled out all stops to create a day full of fun, inspiration and creativity to ignite the imaginations of children. Seven acclaimed children’s authors will face their toughest and most vocal audience at the Greenstone...
A beginner’s guide to the Byron Writers Festival
Never been to Byron Writers Festival? We ask Byron resident and festival-lover Emily Brugman, 27, her top tips for the first-time festival-goer. Tell us a bit about the festival. The Byron Writers Festival is a three-day event that brings writers and...
