Writers on the Road, the free Byron Writers Festival touring program, is exploring the new normal this year with a crew of literary mavericks.
Acclaimed authors and artists onboard the Kombi this year include Bigambul illustrator Dub Leffler, writer/teacher Gabbie Stroud, author/ filmmaker Benjamin Gilmour and Yuwaalaraay author/musician Nardi Simpson.
The series of free events will start off in at 5.30pm on Monday 30 November on the Cafe lawns at Northern Rivers Community Gallery in Ballina.
Tour manager Zacharey Jane said, ‘COVID-19 has made us all pause and reflect on what is important. We believe that connecting readers with emerging writers is more important now than ever.
‘Writers on the Road is all about sharing the power of storytelling, up close and personal, and reminding ourselves of what is real and what is valuable.’
A travelling tradition
Now in its seventh year, Writers on the Road takes award-winning Australian authors, illustrators and poets to regional towns in northern NSW for free school workshops and community events.
It boasts an alumni of renowned writers including Kristina Olsson, Michael Robotham, Jock Serong, Lian Hearn, Ashley Hay, Nick Earls, Ellen van Neerven and Omar Sakr, among many others.
‘We are so grateful to Create NSW for continuing to fund this unique community program,’ said Byron Writers Festival Director Edwina Johnson.
‘Over the years it has created valuable connections between our touring writers and communities throughout the Northern Rivers.
‘The writers love sharing their stories on the road with readers, and each other,’ she said.
All events are free. The organisers invite everyone to come and share ideas about the real world with these writers and creatives.
Due to COVID-19 capacity restrictions, bookings are essential. There will be a maximum capacity of 30 attendees for the event at Ballina on Monday 30 November.
More information about Writers on the Road can be found here.
You can book online via the gallery website or phone (02) 6681 0530.
The Northern Rivers Community Gallery is located at 44 Cherry Street Ballina and is open Wednesday to Friday from 10am until 4pm and weekends from 9.30am until 2.30pm.
