The Skin I’m In at Byron Writers Festival Schools Day
Debut author of YA novel The Skin I’m In, actress and proud Yidinji woman, Steph Tisdell, wowed the crowds at the recent Byron Writers Festival, held in beautiful Bangalow on NSW’s Northern Rivers.
Steph’s first session was an in-conversation with lawyer, writer and co-founder of Blackfulla Book Club, Gumbaynggirr and Barkindi woman Merinda Dutton at Secondary Schools Day.
Speaking to hundreds of students, Steph and Merinda yarned about the importance of authenticity, individuality and having the strength to speak up for those who can’t.
Steph spoke vulnerably and openly about being (in her own words) ‘a little weird, anxious, no-self-esteem, no-self-confidence person’ and explored how that has served her well throughout her professional career.
An absolute natural in front of a student audience, Steph was passionate in reminding the crowd that at this age, they are yet to find out who they truly are, and that this is a wonderful thing.
Just like Layla in The Skin I’m In, Steph believed when she left her teens and entered into adulthood, she needed to have her life path firmly in place. But of course, ever since, she has been ‘a million different things’. And will continue to be.
Students and teachers alike were incredibly engaged by Steph and Merinda’s conversation, which was followed by a busy signing queue for Steph’s novel The Skin I’m In. Get a sneak peek of this incredible Byron Writers Festival session in the videos below.
