The Novelwriter's Toolkit
Page 39
76 Glebelands Road, Knutsford, Cheshire,
WA16 9DZ
T 01565 722738
E festival@knutsfordlitfest.org
W www.knutsfordlitfest.org
Dates October
A small, independent festival, offering a range of literary events.
Lewes Live Literature Festival
PO Box 2766, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2WF
T 0797 2037612
E info@leweslivelit.co.uk
W www.leweslivelit.co.uk
Contact Artistic Director, Mark Hewitt
Dates October
The festival programme includes creative writing workshops, spoken word performances, readings, music, film, and visual arts events. LLL runs creative writing workshops throughout the year and stages a young people’s festival of words that takes place in Lewes during June.
Lincoln Book Festival
Venues around Lincoln
T 01522 545458
E Online form
W www.visitlincolnshire.com Contact Karen Parsons Dates May
The Lincoln Book Festival programme includes talks, workshops, discussions, exhibitions and performances. There are also a wide range of activities and events for children and young readers, including the Lincolnshire Young People’s Book Award.
Lit.Com
Venues around Lincolnshire
T 07974 263538
E info@litdotcom.com
W www.litdotcom.com
Dates October
A festival of literature and comedy, including live author events, the very best in UK stand up, film showings, theatre for families, poetry performances and writing workshops, a major exhibition, discussion groups, free-giveaways and design and craft sessions for kids. Held at various venues across North East Lincolnshire.
Lit Fest
The Storey, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 91TH
T 01524 62166
W www.litfest.org
Contact Artistic Director, Andy Darby Dates November
An annual festival focusing on literature, poetry and writing. Includes newly commissioned performances each year. Literature development continues throughout the year in Lancaster.
London Literature Festival
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London,
SE1 8XX
T 0844 875 0073
E customer@southbankcentre.co.uk
W www.londonlitfest.com
Dates July
London Literature Festival is a new festival of literature, ideas, creative writing and performance taking place at the South Bank Centre. The festival lasts two weeks and also had many events for children.
Lowdham Book Festival
The Bookcase, 50 Main Street, Lowdham, NG14 7BE
T 0115 966 3219
E janstreeter@thebookcase.co.uk
W www.lowdhambookfestival.co.uk
Contact Jane Streeter/Ross Bradshaw
Dates June
Lowdham Festivals runs a major summer book festival with many different arts events, including talks, readings and live music.
Manchester Literature Festival
Beehive Mill, Jersey Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6JG
T 0161 236 5555
E admin@manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
W www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
Contact Festival Director, Cathy Bolton; Festival Administrator/Events Manager, Jon Atkin
Dates October
Manchester Literature Festival produces a programme of readings and events showcasing the best in regional and national independent publishing, writing and production. It aims to challenge the boundaries of what is traditionally understood to be a literature event and also aims to promote internationalism, diversity and independence.
Mere Literary Festival
Mere, Wiltshire, BA12 6EG
E info@merelitfest.co.uk
W www.merelitfest.co.uk
Contact Festival Administrator, Adrienne Howell
Dates October
An annual festival beginning on the second Monday of October. Events include talks, readings, workshops, shows and activities for children. Also runs the Mere Literary Festival Short Story Competition, with the awards ceremony taking place on the last day of the festival.
National Eisteddfod of Wales
40 Parc Ty Glas, Llanishen, Cardiff, CF14 5DU
T 0845 4 090300
F 029 2076 3737
E gwyb@eisteddfod.org.uk
W www.eisteddfod.org.uk
Contact Festival Organizer, Hywel Wyn Edwards
Dates August
The National Eisteddfod of Wales is a major arts and culture festival, attracting around 160,000 visitors annually. It aims to promote Welsh language and culture and also provides a launch pad for Wales’ most talented new performers.
NAWG Open Festival of Writing
PO Box 9891, Market Harborough, LE16 0FU
E secretary@nawg.co.uk
W www.nawg.co.uk
Contact Festival Administrator, Mike Wilson Dates September
A weekend of workshops, seminars, readings, tutorials and fringe activities led by National Association of Writers’ Groups tutors.
Oundle Festival of Literature
Ticket Sales, Oundle Tourist Information Centre, 14 West Street, Oundle, Peterborough
PE8 4EF
T 01832 274333
E Online form
W www.oundlelitfest.org.uk
Contact Chair, Nick Turnbull
Dates Spring/Autumn
A festival of fiction, theatre, poetry, history, politics, travel, gardening, cuisine, environmental issues and a community events programme. Some events are free, others are paid for.
Quite Literary
The Plough Arts Centre, 9–11 Fore Street, Great Torrington, Devon, EX38 8HQ
T 01805 624624
E mail@theploughartscentre.org.uk
W www.theploughartscentre.org.uk
Contact Director, Richard Wolfenden Brown
A year-round programme of literature events in and around Torrington. There are readings, workshops and community events.
Redbridge Book & Media Festival
3rd Floor, Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford,
Essex, IG1 1EA
T 020 8708 2855
E arts&events@redbridge.gov. uk
W www.redbridge.gov.uk
Dates April/May
A festival of the written word in all its forms, including film screenings and performances, workshops, industry talks and visits from well-known writers and performers. The media element to this festival, alongside the more traditional literature events, makes it unique.
Richmond upon Thames Literature Festival
London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, The Arts Service, Orleans House Gallery, Riverside, Twickenham, TW1 3DJ
T 020 8831 6494
F 020 8940 7568
E artsinfo@richmond.gov.uk
W www.richmond.gov.uk/literature festival
Contact Festival Programmer, Penny Bowles
Dates November
A series of high-profile writers, from biographers, novelists and poets to leading figures from film, politics and media, give lectures on aspects of writing and literature.
Royal Court Young Writers ‘ Festival
Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8AS
T 020 7565 5000
F 020 7565 5001
E studio@royalcourttheatre.com
W www.royalcourttheatre.com
Contact Artistic Director, Dominic Cooke
Dates January/March
A biennial festival, the next of which will take place in 2012. Young people under the age of
26 may submit scripts to win the chance to see them developed and performed.
Rye Arts Festival
PO Box 33, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7YB
T 01797 22442
E Online form
W www.ryefestival.co.uk
Contact C
hairman, Catherine Bingham
Dates September
One of the top ten small festivals in the UK, providing a diverse mixture of musical, literary and theatrical events with the emphasis on quality, intellectual weight, style and fun. The visual arts are also very well catered for with the galleries running shows especially for the festival.
The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival
Christchurch, St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1DP
T 01865 286074
E info@oxfordliteraryfestival.com
W www.oxfordliteraryfestival.com
Contact Festival Director, Sally Dunsmore
Dates March/April
Workshops and talks on many literary topics, including writing in different genres, and publishing. Generally has around 350 visiting authors. Children’s literature is a special focus and there are plenty of events and workshops for children, as well as workshops on how to write for them.
Swindon Festival of Literature
Lower Shaw Farm, Shaw, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 5PJ
T 01793 771080
E swindonlitfest@lowershawfarm.co.uk
W www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk
Contact Festival Director, Matt Holland
Dates May
A two-week festival with workshops, talks and speakers on literature and writing, in and around Swindon. Includes a family and children’s weekend.
The Telegraph Hay Festival
The Drill Hall, 25 Lion Street, Hay-on-Wye,
HR3 5AD
T 01497 822620
F 01497 821066
E admin@hayfestival.com
W www.hayfestival.com
Contact Festival Director, Peter Florence
Dates May/June
Hay-on-Wye is a paradise for lovers of secondhand books. The Telegraph Hay Festival is a major UK festival, which includes talks from a number of famous literary personalities. Webcasts and podcasts of events are made available, and the festival is generally covered on Sky Arts, Radio 4 and the Telegraph website. The Hay Festival is now an international event, with festivals in Cartagena, Bogota, Alhambra and Segovia.
The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival
109–111 Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 7LS
T 01242 774400
E judith.ludenbach@cheltenhamfestivals.com
W www.cheltenhamfestivals.com
Contact Artistic Director, Sarah Smyth
Dates October
Ten days of literary workshops, events and performances, including some big name speakers. More information is available on the festival website and via podcasts on The Times website.
T Newydd Festival
T Newydd, Llanystumdwy, Criccieth,
Gwynedd, LL52 0LW
T 01766 52811
F 01766 523095
E post@tynewydd.org
W www.tynewydd.org
Dates April
A biennial festival, the next of which will be held in 2011. It is a weekend festival with a poetry programme in both Welsh and English.
Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s
8 Fitzwilliam Street, Belfast, BT9 6AW
T 028 9097 1197
E festivalservice@qub.ac.uk
W www.belfastfestival.com
Contact Festival Director, Graeme Farrow
Dates October
A festival of arts – including music, theatre, film and writing. Previous festivals have featured over 450 visiting artists.
Warwick Words
The Court House, Jury Street, Warwick,
CV34 4EW
T 07944 768607
E info@warwickwords.co.uk
W www.warwickwords.co.uk
Contact Patron, Andrew Davies
Dates October
A festival of literature and the spoken word. Workshops, talks, performances and children’s events are part of the programme.
Ways With Words
Literature Festivals
Droridge Farm, Dartington, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6JG
T 01803 867373
F 01803 863688
E Online form
W www.wayswithwords.co.uk
Contact Festival Directors, Kay Dunbar and Stephen Bristow
Dates March, July and November
Runs highly regarded literature festivals at several locations across the UK: Keswick (March); Dartington (July); Southwold (November). Also runs retreats and events overseas.
Wellington Literary Festival
Venues around Wellington
T 01952 567697
E welltowncl@aol.com
W www.wellington-shropshire.gov.uk
Dates October
A series of free events and talks in Wellington, with several guest speakers.
Wells Festival of Literature
Venues around Somerset
T 01749 679459
W www.wlitf.co.uk
Dates October
A series of lectures and workshops on various topics within literature and writing. Also runs annual short story and poetry competitions.
Welsh Writing in English Annual Conference
Swansea University, Parc Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP E Daniel.g.Williams@swansea.ac.uk
W www.swan.ac.uk/crew/awwe
Contact Conference Organizer, Dr Daniel Williams
Dates March
An annual weekend conference centred around Welsh writing in English, with a different theme every year.
West Cork Literary Festival
13 Glengarriff Road, Bantry, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland
T 00353 27 52789
E info@westcorkliteraryfestival.ie
W www.westcorkliteraryfestival.ie
Contact Artistic Director, Denyse Woods
Dates July
A week of literary events for writers, including the annual launch of the Fish Publishing anthology and short story prize.
Wigtown Book Festival
County Buildings, Wigtown, Newton Stuart, Dumfries & Galloway, DG8 9JH
T 01988 402036
E mail@wigtownbookfestival.com
W www.wigtownbookfestival.com
Contact Festival Director, Adrian Turpin
Dates September/October
An annual festival in Wigtown, Scotland’s national book town. Programme includes readings and events at various locations in Wigtown.
Winchester Writers’ Conference
Faculty of Arts, University of Winchester, West Hill, Winchester, Hampshire, SO22 4NR
T 01962 827238
E barbara.large@wi nc hester.ac.uk
W www.writersconference.co.uk
Contact Founder/Director, Barbara Large
Dates June/July
A weekend of workshops, events and talks. Also runs a book fair.
Word
Office of External Affairs, University of Aberdeen, King’s College, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX
T 01224 273874
F 01224 272086
E word@abdn.ac.uk
W www.abdn.ac.uk/word
Contact Artistic Director, Alan Spence
Dates May
A large festival with over 10,000 visitors. Programme includes readings, workshops, music sessions, art exhibitions, children’s activities and film screenings.
World Book Day
W www.worldbookday.com Dates March
World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. The UK World Book Day is celebrated on a different date to the International World Book Day to ensure that it falls within school term time. Special £1 books are created, and there are lots of events in schools throughout the country. The Bookseller and National Book Tokens Ltd host and sponsor the day.
Worlds Literature Festival
Writers Centre, 14 Princes Street, Norwich, NR3 1AE
E Online form
W www.writerscentrenorwich.org.uk Contact Marketing Director, Katy Carr Dates June
&
nbsp; A festival founded in 2008, with various events including author readings, creative workshops, debates and lectures on writing and environmental issues.
Writers’ Holiday, at Caerleon
E gerry@writersholiday.net
W www.writersholiday.net
Contact Anne Hobbs
Dates July
A six-day residential conference for everyone, from beginners to the more experienced. Around 150 delegates attend.
Writers’ Week
24 The Square, Listowel, Co. Kerry, Republic of Ireland
T 00353 68 21074
F 00353 68 22893
E info@writersweek.ie
W www.writersweek.ie
Contact Máire Logue; Chairman, Michael Lynch Dates May/June
Writers’ Week is a literary festival devoted to the cause of writers. It aims to guide, direct and enthuse the emerging writer, to befriend the established writer and provide a practical platform for their artistic output. This ideal is achieved through annual literary competitions, three-day workshops, readings, seminars, lectures, book launches and other events. Writers’ Week aims to be inclusive and to make the arts accessible to everybody. To succeed with this ambition they have put in place a broad and comprehensive literary programme to cater for all tastes.
Writing on the Wall
The Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre, 4 Princes Road, Liverpool, L8 1TH
T 0151 703 0020
E info@writingonthewall.org.uk
W www.writingonthewall.org.uk
Contact Festival Administrator, Janette Stowell
Dates May
A not-for-profit organization that runs a series of literature related events. These are designed to encourage young people and the wider community to take part.