I was sitting in my Phnom Penh apartment on skype with my friend  – Australian author and mentor Kate Veitch, when she convinced me to come to the Byron Bay Writers Festival (it wasn’t really that hard).

She both put me up and put up with me and ferried me around to readings, panels (of course she was on numerous) and workshops on the beautiful Byron Bay grounds and in town.  If you’ve never been to this festival, stick it on your list!

On the left is Kate, Laurel Cohn in the middle and myself. Kate had booked me in to Laurel’s workshop on storylines which was incredible and a year later I asked Laurel to edit the first draft of my book.

There was even time to hit Mullumbimby Farmer’s Market and enjoy the sunshine over good coffee.

Gorgeous Spring weather for the 3-day festival (plus 2 days of workshops).