UQP authors at the 2025 Byron Bay Writers Festival

Friday, August 8 UQP author sessions

10:15 am—11:15 am
Mungo Panel: Press Freedom

Stage: Acacia

Writers: Peter Greste, John Vaillant, Erik Jensen

Join award-winning foreign correspondent and Executive Director of Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom, Peter Greste (The Correspondent), and Pulitzer Prize finalist John Vaillant (Fire Weather) for an urgent discussion on the state of play for press freedom and the most pressing media issues today. With Erik Jensen.

2:00 pm—3:00 pm

Fire Weather

Stage: Acacia

Writers: John Vaillant, Royce Kurmelovs

Join American-Canadian Pulitzer Prize finalist John Vaillant to discuss his internationally bestselling Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World. Winner of the Baillie Gifford Non-Fiction Prize, Fire Weather is a page-turning account of a brutal urban wildfire, exploring our rapidly changing relationship with fire. With Royce Kurmelovs.

2:00 pm—3:00 pm

Mettle

Stage: Coolamon

Writers: Anne-Marie Te Whiu, Laurie May

Drawing on childhood stories about her whakapapa – her Māori ancestry – Anne-Marie Te Whiu's poetry boldly explores the complexities of family, identity and trauma. Join Anne-Marie in conversation with Laurie May.

‍

2:15 pm—3:15 pm

The Correspondent

Stage: Lilly Pilly

Writers: Peter Greste, Mark Isaacs

When the first casualty of war is truth, journalists are increasingly at risk of becoming part of the battlefield. The Correspondent spotlights Peter Greste’s fight for press freedom since his imprisonment in Egypt, with a new chapter on Ukraine and Gaza. Join Peter in conversation with Mark Isaacs.

4:30 pm—5:30 pm

People Power

Stage: Acacia

Writers: Esther Anatolitis, Thomas Mayo, Jennifer Mills, Royce Kurmelovs

Want to make change? Explore how collective action shapes society with Co-Chair of the Australian Republic Movement Esther Anatolitis (Meanjin: Essays that Changed Australia), union official and Yes Campaign Spokesperson Thomas Mayo (Always Was, Always Will Be), and author advocate Jennifer Mills (Salvage) in conversation with Royce Kurmelovs.

‍

4:45 pm—5:30 pm

Celebrating Science

Stage: Hakea

Writers: JM Field, Joëlle Gergis, CoreyTutt, Mel Bampton

Mark National Science Week with a joyous celebration of science and maths, culture, and the natural world, with JM Field (The Eagle and the Crow), Joëlle Gergis (Highway to Hell) and Corey Tutt (Deadly Reptiles). With Mel Bampton.

‍

Saturday, August 9 UQP author sessions

11:30 pm—12:30 pm

Topography of Trauma

Stage: Coolamon

Writers: RachelAng, Anne-Marie Te Whiu, Damon Young, Ashley Hay

Join graphic novelist Rachel Ang (I Ate the Whole World to Find You), poet Anne-Marie Te Whiu (Mettle) and philosopher Damon Young (Immortal Gestures) for a discussion on trauma, memory, and bodies, and how we connect our past to our futures. With Ashley Hay.

11:45 am—12:45 pm

The Voice: What's Next?

Stage: Lilly Pilly

Writers: Thomas Mayo, Naomi Moran, Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, Daniel Browning

Almost two years since the 2023 Voice referendum, join bestselling author and Yes23 campaign spokesperson Thomas Mayo (Always Was, Always Will Be), NSW Treaty Commissioner Naomi Moran, and ACT Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts (Long Yarn Short) to discuss ways forward with award-winning journalist Daniel Browning.

1:00 pm—2:00 pm

Nuked

Stage: Hakea

Writers: GeoffCousins, Simon Holmes à Court, Royce Kurmelovs, Natasha Mitchell

Energy policy loomed large over the 2025 federal election. Join businessman and environmentalist Geoff Cousins, Climate 200's Simon Holmes à Court, and Slick author and climate journalist Royce Kurmelovs to discuss what's next in the transition to net zero, and attempts to establish nuclear power in Australia. With ABC Radio National Big Ideas host Natasha Mitchell.

2:00 pm—3:00 pm

Poetry Walk

Stage: Coolamon

Writers: Akhil Katyal, Kirli Saunders, Anne-Marie Te Whiu, Laurie May

Explore the natural beauty and poetic pathways of the festival site in this walking tour featuring performances by acclaimed poets Akhil Katyal, Kirli Saunders, Anne-Marie Te Whiu, and hosted by Laurie May.

4:45 pm—5:30 pm

Translations

Stage: Lilly Pilly

Writers: Jumaana Abdu, Anne-Marie Te Whiu

Named one of SMH's Best Young Australian Novelists 2025, Jumaana Abdu's exquisite debut novel Translations explores identity, trauma, faith and community in rural New South Wales. See her in conversation with Anne-Marie Te Whiu.

Sunday, August 10 UQP author sessions

3:30 pm—4:30 pm

Fighting for Reform

Stage: Hakea

Writers: Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, Rhianna Patrick

Long Yarn Short is the blockbuster memoir from one of the most powerful voices of a generation. From surviving out-of-home care to becoming a human rights lawyer, Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts shares her incredible story in a bid to drive positive change for First Nations youth. With Rhianna Patrick.

Tickets for the festival can be purchased here