The Byron Bay Writers Festival is planning to go ahead with its Saturday and Sunday program, despite the cancellation of Friday’s marquee program.

Festival director Jeni Caffin said that at 2pm Byron Beach Resort staff were working on drainage and improving pathways on the site, which has been deluged by rain.

All events inside buildings, including Friday night’s Writers’ Cabaret and Sidesplit, are going ahead, despite the weather.

Friday ticket holders may attend either the Saturday or Sunday program.

Unfortunately due to heavy rainfall we have had to cancel the Friday program at the Festival.

We will still be going ahead with ABC Northcoast live broadcast 8.30-11am.

We will still be having the launches in the Lakehouse.

We will still be having the Writers Cabaret and Side Split.

We are extremely sorry for any inconvenience this has caused to those who have bought tickets and to those who have traveled great distances to attend.

We, like you, are devastated.

We are planning to go ahead with the Saturday and Sunday program at this stage.

Please keep your eye on the web for updates.

Inevitably every Festival program will suffer a late cancellation and organisers regretfully announce that Sydney Morning Herald book reviewer Andrew Riemer has had to withdraw from the event. Saturday pass holders looking forward to a Conversation with Andrew on A Family History of Smoking will not be disappointed however. ABC television personality Kerry O’Brien has put his hand up for a head to head with Chloe Hooper, winner of a Walkley Award for her writing on the Palm Island inquest on Cameron Doomadgee and subsequent trial of policeman Christopher Hurley.