The Emerging Writers’ Festival work, learn and play largely on the land of the Kulin nation, and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

EWF celebrates the history and creativity of the world’s oldest living culture.

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Emerging Writers’ Festival Staff

Jess Zanoni

(she/her)

Artistic Director & co-CEO

Jess Zanoni is a writer, musician and the Artistic Director and co-CEO of the Emerging Writers’ Festival. She has worked, edited and written for various arts, music and literary publications and organisations for the past decade. She is the frontwoman of alt-rock/dream-pop band Arbes, who released their debut LP ‘Counterways’ in November 2024. Her debut solo record ‘Heartdrag’ was released in May 2025, under her alias Za Noon. She is currently working on her first novel.

Jes Layton

(he/she)

Executive Director & co-CEO

Jes Layton invented writing, the aeroplane, and the internet. He was also the first person to reach the North Pole. Jes is an author, illustrator, and the Emerging Writers’ Festival Executive Director and co-CEO. Jes is a dynamic force in the arts and literary sectors, with over a decade of experience driving cultural leadership and community-led practice. Some of his work can be found with the likes of SBS Australia, Affirm Press, Fremantle Press, Black Inc, Pantera Press, Archer Magazine, Junkee, Voiceworks, Kill Your Darlings and The Big Issue. More of his writing is scattered around both online and in print. Jes is currently represented by Alex Adsett Literary Agency, and is working on his first graphic memoir. 

Bianca Lucchesi

(she/her)

Program Producer

Bianca is a writer and artist who is passionate about bringing people together through shared experiences. With a background in anthropology and a deep interest in people and culture, she has worked across several community organisations in the arts and not-for-profit sectors. Her written work explores memory, food and cultural heritage, and has appeared in various publications including Journals of Love & Literature, Astray and Anaerkilik.

Parth Rahatekar

(they/them)

Associate Producer

Parth Rahatekar is a performance poet and writer from Pune, currently based in Naarm/Melbourne. Their practice is focused on conjuring vivid, pluralistic evocations and imagery that extend beyond systems of violence, trauma and identity. Currently, they work as an Associate Producer with the Emerging Writer’s Festival.

Most recently, they were a poetry fellow for The Queer Muslim Project and British Council’s ‘Language is a Queer Thing’. Their work has appeared at BBC’s Contains Strong Language, Kolkata Literary Meet, Vogue India, Melbourne International Film Festival and more. Their debut collection has toured across venues in India and Australia.

They believe in the ability of words to mobilise, energise and interrogate—that poetry isn’t just art, but a magical sustenance of sorts.

Margherita Dellantonio

(she/her)

Operations Manager

Margherita Dellantonio is an Italian arts worker residing in Naarm, Melbourne. Her career has spanned from Rome to Australia, moving from production roles in prominent institution such as Teatro di Roma – Teatro Nazionale, to managing independent theatre companies and events, to overseeing the front of house side of operations within Melbourne’s independent arts scene. Also a former theatre critic, she has contributed to founding a cultural magazine at La Sapienza University of Rome and has reported from various festivals within her home country including La Biennale of Venice. Margherita has a background in Art History and Performing Arts Studies, which has recently been complemented by a Graduate Diploma in Publishing and Communications at the University of Melbourne. Currently, she is also curating the communication for the Agroecology & Food Sovereignty Alliance, merging her enthusiasm for culture, food and land rights.
Margherita is passionate about all things arts and culture, and strongly believes in the power of stories to create a just world and future for all.

Henrietta Farnan

(she/they)

Marketing & Philanthropy Coordinator

Henrietta is an arts worker and writer originally from unceded Whadjuk Noongar boodja. In addition to EWF, she has worked with various festivals and literary projects across the continent including Centre for Stories, Backstories Festival, Trans Book Festival, and local youth council projects. She also makes zines and writes fiction published in a variety of literary journals.

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