From celebrated novelists, memoirists, poets and essayists to leading political commentators, academics and activists, the program promises bold and wide-ranging conversations spanning social justice, politics, the environment, crime, mortality and human connection.
Audiences can engage with more than 160 writers across three days of thought-provoking panels, in-depth discussions, debate and intimate conversations. In addition to the main program, the Byron Writers Festival will feature an array of workshops, a dedicated children’s program and special feature events.
Artistic Director Jessica Alice reflects on the 2025 theme ‘Passion and Purpose’, “This year’s festival is an exuberant celebration of the art of reading, writing, and living with purpose featuring renowned writers and the most impressive new voices. We are honoured to present these brilliant authors and thinkers who will ignite your curiosity and passion for a life well lived, and big ideas for a better world.”
INTERNATIONAL GUESTS
Joining from Canada is John Vaillant, bestselling author and freelance writer whose recent book Fire Weather was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. John will join local writer Royce Kurmelovs for a riveting journey through the unprecedented devastation wrought by modern forest fires. UK writer Esther Freud will sit down for a compelling conversation with the ABC’s Natasha Mitchell about My Sister and Other Lovers, her hotly anticipated new novel. From India we welcome poet, writer and scholar Akhil Katyal (The Last Time I Saw You), who will be joined for a lively discussion with Mary Therese Kurkalang for the session Delhi to Mumbai: Poems. Also from India is Ita Mehrotra a graphic novelist who is author of Uprooted: A Graphic Account for Forest Rights.
NATIONAL TREASURES & ICONS
Some of Australia’s most beloved writers will sit down for illuminating conversations including Helen Garner (The Season), 2025 Stella Prize winner Michelle de Kretser (Theory & Practice), Di Morrissey (River Song), and international crime writer Michael Robotham (The White Crow). Grab your seat early for A Life in Literature – a look at the remarkable career of Tom Keneally and sharpen your political smarts with prolific writer and intellectual Barry Jones. Gina Chick (We Are the Stars) will talk about her free-range upbringing and connection to nature, while social commentator Jane Caro will discuss her crime thriller Lyrebird. Surfing world champions turned writers Pauline Menczer (Surf Like A Woman), and Layne Beachley (Awake Academy) will discuss the highs and lows of professional surfing, and entrepreneur and writer Zoë Foster Blake will reassure us that things will calm down soon.
PERSONAL STORIES
Memoir lovers will be treated to inspiring and personal life stories from writers including Hannah Kent (Always Home, Always Homesick) who will reflect on her relationship with Iceland. In the session Brainstorm, Professor Richard Scolyer will sit in conversation with author and columnist Jamila Rizvi (Broken Brains) about living with brain cancer. Peter Greste will describe the struggle for freedom for himself and the press in The Correspondent, while acclaimed artist turned author Vincent Fantauzzo (Unveiled) will tackle neurodiversity with Sally Rippin. Robert Dessaix will talk about Chameleon, his recent memoir of art, travel, ideas and love, and Marcus Zusak will dissect Three Wild Dogs (and the truth) his first book of non-fiction which is a love letter to the animals who bring hilarity and beauty to his life.
Markus also celebrates 20 years since The Book Thief burst into the literary world in a special anniversary session with David Leser.
SOCIAL ISSUES, POLITICS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Andrew Denton and photographer Julian Kingma will come together for The Power of Choice, an important conversation about dignity, compassion and end-of-life care in Australia. Nick Bryant, Barry Jones, Emma Shortis, and author, historian, and former political speechwriter Don Watson will tackle the current state of US politics in Trump’d. Simon Holmes à Court, Geoff Cousins and Royce Kurmelovs will dive into the hi-octane politics of nuclear energy. Investigative journalist Jess Hill will team up with Thomas Mayo and George Megalogenis for the session Radicalised: Extreme Boys – an essential conversation at a time when the intersection of technology, youth culture, and extremism is more pronounced than ever.
THEA ASTLEY ADDRESS
The Festival’s annual Thea Astley address will be delivered by Professor Clare Wright OAM, an award-winning historian, author, broadcaster, podcaster and public commentator who has worked in politics, academia and the media. In an anticipated conversation with Kerry O’Brien, Wright will discuss the profound impact of the Yirrkala Bark Petitions and how they shaped the course of Australian democracy.
FIRST NATIONS EXCELLENCE
A powerful group of First Nations writers representing a diverse chorus of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices across literature, academia, activism, science and the arts join Byron Writers Festival in 2025. Debra Dank, Anita Heiss, Thomas Mayo, Rhoda Roberts, Delta Kay and many more will share their deep cultural knowledge and explore themes of identity, Country, and justice.
FOOD AND KIDS
Byron Writers Festival will bring together a delightful mix of culinary and children’s storytelling talent promising a feast of ideas for all ages. Foodie favourites like Virginia Trioli, Nadine Ingram, and Ben Shewry will share their unique insights into culture, creativity, and cuisine, while at the Sunday Kids Program, beloved children’s authors including Peter Helliar, Zanni Louise and Tony Armstong will offer laughter, imagination, and heartwarming tales for young readers.
NORTHERN RIVERS TALENT
The rich literary talent from the Northern Rivers region will be on full display with writers including Sonya Voumard (Tremor), Naima Brown (Mother Tongue), Denise Alison (Humans of Lismore), P.A. Thomas (The Beacon), Kayte Nunn (The Palazzo), Lisa Messenger and Sarah Megginson (The Power of Two) and more contributing to a festival that celebrates diverse voices and stories.
EVENTS
On Friday 8 August, join Helen Garner in conversation with journalist Kerry O’Brien for an exploration of life on and off the page. From fiction to diaries, courtrooms to her latest book The Season, Garner reflects on the human condition with wit and grit – guided by O’Brien’s sharp insight.
Expect the unexpected on Saturday 9 August with The Guardian Australia’s wildly fun game show, where two teams – led by TikTok star Matilda Boseley and features editor Lucy Clark – go head-to-head for ultimate bragging rights. Hosted by culture editor Steph Harmon, with special guests including Thomas Mayo, Tigest Girma and more.
Also on Saturday 9 August, experience a night where poetry meets music in a powerful live show. Featuring Ziggy Ramo, Nardi Simpson, David Stavanger, Akhil Katyal and more, you can expect bold voices, big energy, and language that sings, stings, and soars. One stage. Infinite vibes. Don’t miss it.
BYRON WRITERS FESTIVAL
Friday 8 – Sunday 10 August 2025
Bangalow Showground
Bundjalung Country
2025 BYRON WRITERS FESTIVAL ARTISTS
Jumaana Abdu, Alex Adsett, Denise Alison, Esther Anatolitis, Rachel Ang, Sarah Armstrong, Tony Armstrong, Robbie Arnott, Joe Aston, Sunil Badami, Mel Bampton, Layne Beachley, Josh Bornstein, Matilda Boseley, Mark Brandi, Judith Brett, Tess Brouwer, Naima Brown, Daniel Browning, Nick Bryant, Isobelle Carmody, Jane Caro, Angela Catterns, Shankari Chandran, Melanie Cheng, Gina Chick, Santilla Chingaipe, Lucy Clark, Maxine Beneba Clark, Aidan Coleman, Amy Colli, Geoff Cousins, Carody Culver, Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles, Debra Dank, Marele Day, Michelle de Kretser, Richard Denniss, Andrew Denton, Robert Dessaix, Hilarie Dunn, Jill Eddington, Helen Ennis, Heather Fairbairn, Vincent Fantauzzo, Anna Featherstone, Hannah Ferguson, Jared Field, Zoë Foster Blake, Persephone Fraser, Suzy Freeman-Greene, Esther Freud, Judy Friedlander, Helen Garner, Anne Gately, Nikki Gemmell, Joelle Gergis, Tigest Girma, Peter Greste, Saul Griffith, Alice Grundy, The Gumboots, Chris Hammer, Chris Hanley, Steph Harmon, Lynda Hawryluk, Ashley Hay, David Heilpern, Anita Heiss, Peter Helliar, Jess Hill, Simon Holmes à Court, Hasib Hourani, Jackie Huggins, Nadine Ingram, Mark Isaacs, Erik Jensen, Barry Jones, Gail Jones, Akhil Katyal, Delta Kay, Tom Keneally, Hannah Kent, Misha Ketchell, Grantlee Kieza, Julian Kingma, Malcolm Knox, Mary Therese Kurkulang, Royce Kurmelovs, David Leser, Todd Ley, Julian Louis, Zanni Louise, Grace Lucas-Pennington, Emily Maguire, Laurie May, Thomas Mayo, Stacey McEwan, Ann McGrath, Leila McKinnon, Dervla McTiernan, George Megalogenis, Sarah Megginson, Ita Mehrotra, Pauline Menczer, Miles Merrill, Lisa Messenger, Courtney Miller, Jennifer Mills, Jake A Minton, Natasha Mitchell, Naomi Moran, Lucie Morris-Marr, Di Morrissey, Elizabeth Mossop, Chris Munnery, Mandy Nolan, Jane Novak, Liz Nowell, Kayte Nunn, Kerry O’Brien, Mick O’Regan, Bebe Oliver, Melanie Ostell, Rhianna Patrick, Ziggy Ramo, Sally Rippin, Jamila Rizvi, Rhoda Roberts, Michael Robotham, Colleen Ryan, Kate Saunders, Kirli Saunders, Nell Schofield, Julianne Schultz, Richard Scolyer, Jock Serong, Saman Shad, Ben Shewry, Shire Choir, Laura Shore, Emma Shortis, Nardi Simpson, James Sippo, David Sly, Mary Spongberg, David Stavanger, Cameron Stewart, Kumi Taguchi, Bridie Tanner, Lenore Taylor, Anne-Marie Te Whiu, Sarah Temporal, PA Thomas, Virginia Trioli, Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, Corey Tutt, John Vaillant, Sonya Voumard, Sita Walker, Rosie Waterland, Robert Watkins, Don Watson, Michael Williams, Rachael Williams, Jennifer Wong, Clare Wright, Damon Young, Markus Zusak.
About Byron Writers Festival
Held on the lands of the Arakwal Bumberbin peoples of the Bundjalung Nation, we pay respect to the traditional owners of this land and acknowledge them as the original storytellers of this region. The annual Byron Writers Festival is Australia’s largest and leading regional celebration of storytelling, literature and ideas. The line-up predominantly features Australian writers and thinkers who together share their stories, inspirations and insights. Byron Writers Festival is renowned for its relaxed atmosphere and for delivering a diverse program of panels and conversations that celebrate storytelling in all its forms. Byron Writers Festival 2025 will be held at the Bangalow Showground in the hinterland town of Bangalow, 15 minutes from Byron Bay on beautiful Bundjalung Country. Free shuttle buses will be operating daily from Byron Bay.
