Get your diaries out and save the date. Byron Writers Festival is pleased to announce a return to Bangalow Showground for Byron Writers Festival 2024 from 9-11 August!

“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 Byron Writers Festival Chair, Adam van Kempen.

Byron Writers Festival is pleased to announce new Artistic Director, Jessica Alice, will join the organisation in February 2024.

“We are delighted to welcome Jessica Alice to the position of Artistic Director and look forward to her curation of the 2024 Byron Writers Festival and leadership of the organisation in collaboration with Executive Director, Shien Chee. Jessica’s appointment follows the departure of Zoe Pollock, who resigned in September to focus on her family,” said Byron Writers Festival Chair, Adam van Kempen.

“The Board acknowledges the very significant contribution Zoe Pollock made to the festival in her tenure as Artistic Director and CEO over the last two years, including successfully returning the festival to the stage after the pandemic and transitioning to a new site in Bangalow.”

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.

“I am thrilled to join Byron Writers Festival as Artistic Director,” said Jessica. “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.”

“We will also continue our strong engagement with the Byron Bay community, hosting Festival events in Byron during the Festival week and throughout the year.”

We look forward to seeing you there.

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