New artistic director for Byron Writers Festival 

Jessica Alice has been appointed by the Byron Writers Festival board as the festival’s new artistic director. 

Festival chair, Adam van Kempen, also says the festival will return to Bangalow Showground on August 9–11, 2024.

‘We had fantastic feedback about the festival site this year, held for the first time in the beautiful Bangalow Showground, so we are very happy to announce we will be returning in August 2024 to gather under the shade of those majestic gum trees. We deeply thank the community of Bangalow for making the festival feel so at home,’ said van Kempen.  

Jessica’s appointment follows the departure of Zoe Pollock, who resigned in September 2023 to focus on her family, he said.

‘The board acknowledges the very significant contribution Zoe made to the festival in her tenure over the last two years, including successfully returning the festival to the stage after the pandemic, and transitioning to a new site in Bangalow,’ van Kempen said. 

‘Jessica Alice is a writer and arts leader who comes to Byron Writers Festival from her position as CEO of Writers SA, the peak organisation for writing and literature in South Australia, Chair of the Arts Industry Council of South Australia, and Chair of the National Young Writers Festival. 

‘Jessica brings extensive experience with her having worked across literature, festivals, media, theatre and visual arts’.

Jessica said she was thrilled to join Byron Writers Festival as artistic director. 

‘Festivals are vital sites of civic discourse and democratic participation that place writers at the heart of public life – and Byron Writers Festival has long established itself as a leader in the sharing of storytelling and ideas.

‘I’m honoured to build on the tremendous legacy of the festival to present this joyous celebration of books and literary culture in the Northern Rivers.’