Wenona Byrne appointed OzCo literature director

Allen & Unwin rights and international sales director Wenona Byrne has been appointed the Australia Council’s director of literature.

Byrne will replace former director Jill Eddington, who was appointed CEO of the University of Queensland Press in January.

In a statement, Byrne said she is ‘thrilled’ to be joining the Australia Council. ‘There is currently a huge amount of curiosity from international publishers about Australian authors and I hope to use my experience of local and international markets to help promote Australian writing both here and overseas,’ said Byrne. ‘Jill Eddington’s shoes will be hard to fill but I’m excited to make a start.’

Australia Council executive director of grants and engagement Frank Panucci said the organisation is ‘delighted to have someone of Wenona’s deep experience, knowledge and passion joining our team’. ‘Wenona will ensure that the trends and concerns of Australia’s writing and publishing communities inform the Australia Council’s national and international grants and strategic activities, and that the achievements of this vital part of our arts sector are celebrated,’ said Panucci.

Byrne has served as a committee member of the Australia Council’s Visiting International Publishers program, and has also been a freelance writer, literary agent and filmmaker.

Byrne commences in the role on 1 May.

Category: Local news