Byron Writers Festival

It was Roald Dahl's 102nd birthday this week! Let's celebrate with a few wise words from the man himself 🎈

What is the first book you can remember reading, or being read to you?What is the first book you can remember reading, or being read to you?

Want to self-publish like a pro? Our friends at IngramSpark are offering free upload of your print book or ebook until 31 December - simply visit https://www.ingramspark.com/byronwriter and use the promo code SPARKBWF

Looking for ideas for the school holidays? Byron Writers Festival will be bringing the StoryBoard bus to run free writing workshops for kids at new arts festival Playground Festival, at Lismore Quad on Sat 6 Oct - for kids 6 to 12 years old and their families. Other attractions include local band Monkey Monkey Shake Shake, The Pitts Family Circus, Roundabout Theatre and more.
More Info: https://www.lismorequad.org.au

Now that's a raffle worth winning!

The Saturday Paper talks to 'Eggshell Skull' author and Byron Writers Festival 2018 guest, Bri Lee, about the messages and confessions she received after sharing her #MeeToo story

Byron Writers Festival members - look out for the shiny new issue of "northerly", winging its way to you this week! Not a member but want to get in on the fun? Go to byronwritersfestival.com/become-a-member/

We love this video, filmed at Byron Writers Festival 2018, by our friends at Feros Care - they asked festival writers and patrons - "if you were granted one big wish to live a bold life, what would it be?"

"Why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming" - in pictures

What books are on your bedside table right now?What books are on your bedside table right now?

Local illustrator and mum (and Byron Writers Festival 2018 guest), Misa Alexander, was on live TV this week talking about her inspirational book Fergus & Delilah - a children’s book with a vision of changing a generation’s view on disability.

- OFFICE CLOSED - We arrived to a small river running through our office this morning due to a burst pipe. Please email info@byronwritersfestival.com if you need to get in touch. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing some of you at our event tonight: ‘An evening with Sisonke Msimamg’. Bookings via byronwritersfestival.com

If you love films and would like to write about the dramas, documentaries and short works that are screening at Byron Bay Film Festival in October, here's your chance. BBFF is seeking volunteer writers - film expertise is not required. Email media@bbff.com.au with 'Volunteer writer' in the subject line with any queries and giving a brief outline of your experience, genre preferences and availability. A sample of published work would be helpful, if you have one.
https://www.bbff.com.au/

It's Indigenous Literacy Day, a national celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, stories and languages. If you believe that every child deserves the same opportunities, please make a donation to our official charity partner - The Indigenous Literacy Foundation - to help them raise funds for more equal access to literary resources in remote communities.

**Festival podcast**: Sarah Sentilles is a writer, teacher, critical theorist, scholar of religion, and author of many books, including 'Breaking Up with God: A Love Story', and most recently, 'Draw Your Weapons'. In this podcast - recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2018 - Sarah speaks with Margaret Throsby about God and war, her decision to leave the church, and about how violence is waged, witnessed and resisted.

Tonight: See "Out of the Forest" author and Byron Writers Festival 2018 guest Gregory Smith on Australian Story. From homelessness to PhD, Gregory's remarkable story shows that anything is possible.

To emerging writers in the Mid North Coast: last chance to book a manuscript consultation with Dr Laurel Cohn in Bellingen this Friday. http://byronwritersfestival.com/…/edito rial-consultations-…/

**Weekend listening: Matt Haig's new book, Notes on a Nervous Planet, explores how to stay sane in our fast-moving, anxiety-inducing world. In this episode of ABC RN's Conversations - recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2018 - he talks to Sarah Kanowski about his perspective on mental health, and looking at why the way we live is so dangerous to our emotional and psychological wellbeing

"We're so used to Nelson Mandela and to all these big, political men who have shaped the history of our country and we don't have very many stories that are smaller, by ordinary people who happened to be caught up in the maelstrom that was apartheid."
Don't miss An evening with Sisonke Msimang next Thursday 6 September. A few tickets left! $10 or FREE for members.
https://byronwritersfestival.com/whats-on /sisonke-msimang/

It was as wonderful as ever but only downside unfortunately was the practice of some of the audience members of leaving their gear on empty seats and chooffing off to another different session and leaving others wanting to stay for next session, to have to battle to find a seat.... Hmmmm. Maybe the organisers can do whatever they need to to ensure this is better handled at future festivals please.

It was as wonderful as ever but only downside unfortunately was the practice of some of the audience members of leaving their gear on empty seats and chooffing off to another different session and leaving others wanting to stay for next session, to have to battle to find a seat.... Hmmmm. Maybe the organisers can do whatever they need to to ensure this is better handled at future festivals please.