We're thrilled to announce our Youth Ambassadors for 2024! Introducing Josephine, Alex, Celine and Jodey. These four young readers and writers will be getting involved with the BWF youth programs and will have the opportunity to see behind-the-scenes for the 2024 Festival. Read more about each of them below, and follow along to see what they get up to as part of the Youth Ambassador program.
Josephine Renee
Josephine Renee is studying creative writing at QUT. She has volunteered at the Brisbane Writers Festival 2022–2023 and looks forward to being a Youth Ambassador. She has travelled Europe for two years, spent a year and a half in North America, and recently returned from Paris. When not gaining world-building inspiration, she dedicates her time to writing and illustrating. Find her at josephinerenee.com.
Alex Dupriez
Alex is a queer writer, illustrator, and swordfighting librarian. He is a committee member with the Australian Library and Information Association and avid reader, with a huge passion for Australian fantasy and YA stories. When he isn’t lurking in bookshops or libraries, he can be found looking for native frogs.
Celine Lindeque
Celine is an avid reader with a passion for the Australian literary landscape. She works as a software engineer and enjoys writing and reading about chaotic women in STEM. When she isn’t reading, you can find her practicing martial arts.
Jodey Brand
Jodey Brand is a young non-binary book fanatic from Meanjin. When not working as a medical dispatcher for the ambulance their time is packed to the brim with anything and everything book related. From sharing passionate – and sometimes brutal – thoughts on TikTok to working on their very own novel, recently completing an emotionally rich Queer Y/A, Jodey has undeniable love for written art.