This year’s writers festival boasts one of the most impressive lineups in years, featuring big names in Australian and international literature.
One of Australia’s most prolific writers, Tom Keneally, is best known for writing Schindler’s Ark, winner of the 1982 Booker Prize and adapted into the film Schindler’s List, which won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture. See Tom at the festival speaking about historical fiction, his latest Fanatical Heart, and in conversation to reflect on his life in books, and the future of Australian literature.
Gail Jones, author of numerous award-winning novels including Sixty Lights, longlisted for the Booker Prize, comes to the Northern Rivers with her new release The Name of the Sister. Gail will sit down in conversation with Michael Williams, and will appear on the panel On Reading and Writing alongside Michelle de Kretser and Don Watson with Chris Hanley, and on the panel Who Gets to Be an Artist? with Vincent Fantauzzo and Anita Heiss.
Literary phenomenon Robbie Arnott, twice awarded The Age Book of the Year, will appear with his latest Dusk, which won the ABIA Literary Fiction Book of the Year 2025. The Tasmanian writer brings his evocative fiction to the festival in conversation with Naima Brown, and on the panels Wild Nature and Animals as Symbols.
Michelle de Kretser is among the headlining Australian writers, shortlisted for the 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award for her new novel Theory & Practice. With two Miles Franklin Awards already under her belt, don’t miss your chance to see one of our best writers at the festival. She will be in conversation with Jill Eddington, and on the panels On Walking and On Reading and Writing.
- Book writers festival tickets now at www.byronwritersfestival.com.
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