We are so excited to announce the appointment of Skye Cusack as EWF’s next Executive Director & co-CEO!
This appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the EWF, as one of Australia’s most respected and impactful literary festival institutions. Cusack is bringing their distinctive and passionate blend of operational, literary, and advocacy expertise to the organisation. A multifaceted force in the national arts landscape, Cusack steps into the position after having worked with Magabala Books, Blak & Bright literary festival, and founding their own First Nations advocacy agency, among many other achievements.
‘I am humbled and excited to step into this role with Emerging Writers’ Festival. In an industry that often champions mid-career and established writers, I have come to know EWF as a respected arts organisation that sets the standard for advocacy and platforming for emerging storytellers. As an Aboriginal, Disabled and queer emerging writer myself, I always work within the context of the intersectional communities I am accountable to. I look forward to growing and collaborating with the EWF Board, team, community, and of course the incredible Artistic Director and co-CEO Jess Zanoni to improve access and opportunity for emerging writers during my term in this role.’
– Skye Cusack on her appointment as Executive Director & co-CEO
‘We are thrilled to welcome Skye Cusack to the role of Executive Director and co-CEO at EWF. Her enthusiasm, natural leadership qualities, creative thinking, and professional generosity make her an excellent fit to join our Artistic Director in leading EWF into its next chapter. Skye has experience of different aspects of the literary sector, from marketing and producing, to board directorship, to being a debut author herself, and we can’t wait to see how she develops this experience at EWF to support our community of emerging writers.’
– EWF Board Chair, Gabrielle Ryan
Under Cusack’s operational stewardship, EWF will remain a leading institution for developing, nurturing, and promoting Australia’s new writing talent. Cusack’s appointment promises to keep EWF a crucial platform for emerging voices in Australian literature.
January 2027 marks the beginning of Cusack’s tenure as Executive Director & co-CEO, alongside Artistic Director & co-CEO Jess Zanoni.
Skye Cusack (they/he/she) is a Dulgubarra Yidinji and Asian writer, accidental comedian and Executive Director and co-CEO of Emerging Writers’ Festival. For over a decade, Skye has approached her work in the arts, literature, publishing and finance sectors through an intersectional social justice lens. Common themes in her writing include mental health, disability, fatphobia, existential Blak crises, and people generally making fools of themselves. Skye is publishing queer romcom ‘Checked Out’ with Penguin Random House Australia in 2027 and sapphic New Adult novel ‘The Dangers of Just One Person’ with Magabala Books in 2028.
The Emerging Writers’ Festival will return nationwide in September 2027.
