Local poet and author (and Verandah Literary Editor) Barnaby Smith, found that the home-grown Northern Rivers writers were out in force at the 2014 Byron Bay Writers’ Festival.
Every year, the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival features both an increasingly international array of speakers, and a programme that embraces impressive diversity. The big names for 2014 included British novelist Jeanette Winterson; former prime minister Malcolm Fraser; behemoth of Australian journalism David Marr, veteran TV personality Andrew Denton and Alex Miller, one of the nation’s finest living authors.
But it was the spread of local writers participating that added a pleasantly accessible feel to the three-day event, and proved that the artistic life of northern NSW is as healthy as ever.
Jessie Cole, for example, was a revelation as she sat on a panel entitled ‘Into The Wild’ alongside famed author of Tracks Robyn Davidson, and Claire Dunn, whose book My Year Without Matches was recently published. Discussion covered the profound experiences in nature of each writer, with Cole’s latest novel Deeper Water (which enjoyed a launch event at the festival) allowing particular insight. To some applause, Cole, who lives at Burringbar, spoke of poor internet connection and a lack of commercial television as vital in forming her literary voice.
Northern Rivers writer Jessie Cole, author of Deeper Water, was a ‘revelation’.
A distinctly different literary voice was that of Jim Hearn. Now a chef at a five-star restaurant in Byron Bay, Hearn worked in Sydney in his twenties whilst in the throes of a heroin addiction. His book, High Season: A Memoir of Heroin and Hospitality, chronicles his time as a user, about which he spoke in an attractively matter-of-fact way, on the panel ‘Kitchen Confidential’ with eminent Australian foodie Kathryn Manfield and another Byron face, Steven Snow, owner of Fins in Kingscliff. Between them the talk reeled between the fast lane that is life as a chef, nightmarish experiences with customers and possible career paths for young chefs.
Fellow north-coaster William Lane launched his novel Over The Water at the festival, with an elegant launch speech from Sarah Armstrong. Lane’s much-vaunted book may not be set in the region but reflects the ever-increasing strength of the connection between the area and Asia – Lane’s book is about a directionless Australian who takes work as a teacher in Bandung, Indonesia, echoing Lane’s own experiences.
Another launch came from Mungo MacCallum, whose book The Whitlam Mob was launched with a speech by Kerry O’Brien on whom the irony of launching such a tome at an event with Malcolm Fraser among its biggest names, was not lost. MacCallum’s book is more a witty personal memoir than political analysis, and the Byron Bay Echo columnist packed out the tiny launch tent as the crowds clambered for signings.
Another book launch worth noting was Virginia Peters’ Have You Seen Simone? Although she is not based in northern NSW, Peters was fascinated with the sad story of German backpacker Simone Strobel, who was found murdered near a Lismore caravan park in 2005, in a case that remains unsolved. Peters, predominantly a short story writer, travelled to Germany and uncovered new lines of investigation with her study.
Other local writers on the bill included the incorrigible Mandy Nolan, festival regular and journalist Mick O’Regan, Bangalow-based writer and photographer and brains behind The Toxic Playground Joanna Immig, Southern Cross University academic Baden Offord and Lennox Head children’s author Martin Chatterton.
The most impressive, profound and meaningful contribution, as far as locals are concerned, came from Cole, whose book may well turn into a must-read for those wishing to gain insight into the landscape and wilderness of the Northern Rivers.
Next year’s Festival will be held between August 7-9.
Barnaby Smith
