The first Berry Writers Festival was held in October 2022, the initiative of Suzanne Burdon, its founder and first artistic director. 

She drew together a group of like-minded individuals from Berry and surrounding communities who shared her enthusiasm for books and writers and the idea of a festival to celebrate them. A committee was formed, volunteers were recruited, and planning began, initially for a festival in 2021. With the enthusiastic support of the Berry community, funds were raised from businesses and private donors, as well as through grants, and the number of volunteers steadily increased. However, as the effects of the COVID pandemic worsened, postponement was necessary. 

The inaugural festival was held in 2022 instead and judged by both the writers and the audience to be a resounding success. Some fifty authors and other speakers participated in twenty-one sessions over two days; six workshops were offered; and 2494 tickets sold. 

The same community enthusiasm and support has again been forthcoming and is greatly appreciated by the festival committee as it has worked toward 2024.