North West:
CHAPTER AND VERSE LITERATURE FESTIVAL AT THE BLUECOAT
Where: The Bluecoat arts centre, Merseyside, Liverpool
When: October 14-18
How Much? Tickets are on sale from the 7th of September and will start from
around £5 with concessions of £3. Moreover, a number of talks will be free.
What: The second Chapter and Verse Festival commemorates 100 years of the
birth of one of the region’s most famous poets and novelists, Malcolm Lowry.
Talks will focus on the inspirations behind his writing; from his birthplace
in Merseyside, to his experiences in Mexico, New York, and the Isle of Man.
Who? Gordon Bowker
WWW: www.thebluecoat.org.uk
Tel: 0151 702 5324
MANCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL
Where: locations across Manchester
When: October 15-25
How much? From £8
What: An innovative festival, now in its fourth year, will be continuing with
three main strands: Read, Independent and Free play. Talks and formal
discussions with authors will be taking place and workshops will be
available for budding novelists.
Who: Margaret Atwood, Joan Bakewell, Eoin Colfer, Jenny Uglow, Kate Atkinson.
WWW: www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
Tel: 0870 428 0785
Yorkshire and Humberside:
BEVERLEY LITERATURE FESTIVAL:
Where: The town of Beverley on the north side of the Humber Estuary in East
Riding.
When: October 1-11
How much? Prices start at a standard £5 for readings and £8 for workshops.
What: The zenith in the East Riding Libraries festival calendar, Beverley
brings together authors from a wide literary spectrum. Big names in small,
historic venues give a sense of intimacy to the festival. Creative writing
workshops will also be available.
Who: Will Self, Christopher Lloyd, Brian Keenan and Jane Gardam.
WWW: www.beverley-literature-festival.org
Tel: 01482 392704
HEBDEN BRIDGE FESTIVAL
Where: various venues around Hebden, west of Bradford.
When : June 26 – July 12
How much: Free events, other tickets range £2-£15
What: This year’s festival has evolutionary themed events to celebrate 200
years since the birth of Darwin. Listed as the fourth funkiest town in the
world, and a haven for writers and authors, Hebden Bridge is a cultural gem
reflected in the music, literature and comedy that will be on show.
Who: Richard DeDomenici, David Armstrong, Mark Steel
WWW: www.hebdenbridgeartsfestival.co.uk
Tel: 01422 842684
ILKLEY LITERATURE FESTIVAL
Where: Ilkley Playhouse, Ilkley, Bradford
When: October 2-18
How much: £3-£10, some free
What: Northern England’s oldest Literary Festival set in this miniature
Victorian spa town at the foot of Ilkley Moor. It features over 170 events,
including literary walks.
Who: A L Kennedy, Alan Titchmarsh, Alan Bennett, David Peace , Paddy Ashdown
WWW: www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk
Tel: 01943 816 714
MORLEY LITERATURE FESTIVAL
Where: Town of Morley outside Leeds
When: October 12-18
How Much? Headline events should cost between £6 and £8 with concessions for
children, students and senior citizens.
What: In its 4th year, the Morley Literature Festival has been growing in
strength as it pulls in the larger names in literature, but keeping a local
feel with authors from the area. Literary lunches, creative writing
workshops and a local history programme for schools make the festival an
important event in the North’s festival lists.
Who: Stuart Maconie, Simon Hoggart, Mark Morrison, Ronnie Smith
WWW: www.morleyliteraturefestival.co.uk
Tel: 0113 2474370 (Morley Town Hall)
THEAKSTON’S OLD PECULIER CRIME-WRITING FESTIVAL HARROGATE
Where: Crown Hotel, Harrogate, Yorkshire
When : 23rd-26th July 2009
How much: £8 for individual tickets, Weekend passes £70
What: The quintessentially English town of Harrogate, famous for it’s
tearooms, spa waters and gardens plays host to one of the most dynamic,
friendly and popular crime literature festivals around.
Who:Lee Child, Mark Billingham, George Pelecanos ,David Simon from The Wire
Why:
WWW: www.harrogate-festival.org.uk/crime
Telephone: 08451308840
East Midlands:
BUXTON FESTIVAL:
Where: The small town of Buxton nestled in the picturesque Peak District of
Derbyshire.
When: 10th - 28th July 2009
How much? Prices range from £5 to £49. Under-30s get best available seats for
£5, while under-16s, students and senior citizens get half-price on all
performances.
What: Readings range from exploration, to espionage, to modern politics. Music
from around the world will resonate throughout Buxton’s hills with an
extensive range of Javanese, Indian, Australian and European musicians
performing in the intimate atmosphere of the Buxton Opera House
Who: David Cameron, Cherie Blair. Lord Ashdown, Freddy Kempf, Mark Stone, and
the Northern Chamber Orchestra.
WWW: www.buxtonfestival.co.uk
Tel: 0845 127 2190
West Midlands:
LEDBURY POETRY FESTIVAL
Where: Ledbury, Herefordshire.
When: July 3rd - 12th
How much? Prices start from £3 to £10 for most events, while workshops can be
booked at 4 sessions for £28.
What: The largest poetry festival in the country returns for its 14 year and
brings a mad mix of eclectic, eccentric and exciting music and poetry events
to Herefordshire. Scenic walks, film, and writing workshops are just a few
of the events available to indulge in.
Who: Polar Bear and Zena Edwards jazz band, Ruth Padel, Iain Sinclair, Brian
Catling, and Joan Bakewell.
WWW: www.poetry-festival.com
Tel: 0845 458 1743
East Anglia:
GRAHAM GREENE FESTIVAL
Where: venues across Berkhamsted
When: October 1-4
How much: £8-£22, discounted season tickets are available, and some events
free for under 21s.
What: Now in its 12th year, The Graham Greene Festival celebrates the life and
work of the author and playwright. Events include guest speakers such as the
former chief correspondent for the BBC, film showings, writing workshops,
concluding with a one day course for aspiring writers.
Who: Kate Adie, Neil Sinyard, Michael Billington
WWW: www.grahamgreenefestival.com
Tel: 01442 866694
THE JOHN CLARE FESTIVAL
Where: John Clare School, Helpston, Peterborough
When: July 10-12
How much? Free
What: A festival devoted to the work of John Clare. On the Saturday, Clare’s
cottage will be open to visitors followed by an evening performance of
Common Ground with the poet and story teller Hugh Lupton and talented
musician Chris Wood.
Who: Hugh Lupton, Chris Wood
WWW: www.johnclare.org.uk
Tel: 01353 668438
South-East & London:
BBC PROMS LITERARY FESTIVAL
Where: The Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall or Royal College of Music, London
When: 17th July – 12th September 2009
How much? Prices may depend on purchasing tickets (£8-£44) for each Prom . All
discussions will be broadcast on Radio 3…which is free.
What: The BBC Proms, considered the biggest musical event in the UK comes
alive not only through music, but also through words. Key historians,
novelists, poets and writers discuss the cultural themes behind the music.
Topics embody Great British heritage and culture: from descriptions of
climbing Everest, to the myths surrounding Elizabeth I, to celebrating the
infamous villains from Victorian fiction.
Who: Andrew Motion, Ian McMillan, Philip Pullaman, Stephen Venables, Alison
Weir, D. J. Taylor and Jamila Gavin.
WWW: www.bbc.co.uk/proms
Tel: 0845 401 5040
CANTERBURY FESTIVAL
Where: venues across Canterbury
When: October 17-31
How much: some events free, other tickets range from £7-£27
What: Canterbury Festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and
70,000 people are expected to attend. The line-up included classical and
world music, mixed with theatre and comedy, make the event extremely
popular, with Canterbury Cathedral at the heart of the festival events.
Who: Carol Ann Duffy, Joan Bakewell, Dick Strawbridge, Marc Morris, Charley
Boorman and Adrian Wooldridge
WWW: www.canterbruyfestival.co.uk
Tel: 01227 787787
EALING LITERARY FESTIVAL
Where: Acton Green, London
When: July 10-19
How much? £5 per ticket
What: A small, charming book festival run in conjunction with local libraries
and schools and pitched to both children and adults.
Who: Will Self, Toby Young, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown as well as children’s author
Haiawyn Oram
WWW: www.ealing.gov.uk/services/leisure/ealing_summer/literary.html
Tel: 020 8825 6640
ESSEX POETRY FESTIVAL
Where: Cramphorn Theatre, Chelmsford
When: October 10
How much: £5 aftertoon, £8 evening or £12 for both
What: The Essex Poetry Festival has been running for over a decade, and this
year is split into a separate afternoon and evening event. There will be
readings from locally based poets and the chance to read your own poetry on
stage.
Who: John Hartley Williams, Kathryn Simmonds, Inua Ellams, Jeremy Over, Joanna
Ezekiel, Sally Festing, Alex Brockhurst, Alan Buckley, Brendan Cleary, David
Crystal
.
WWW: www.essex-poetry-festival.co.uk
Tel: 01245 606505
GUILDFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL
Where: Multiple venues in Guildford, Surrey
When: October 15-24
How Much? Prices yet to be confirmed.
What: First established in 1990, the Guilford Literary Festival is one of the
only festivals purely devoted to the literary arts. No music or painting
here; just words, plain and simple.
Who: Confirmed names so far include Richard Ingrams, Frank Gardner, Jill
Mansell and James May.
WWW: vwww.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk
Tel: 01483 444334
HENLEY LITERARY FESTIVAL
Where: The riverside town of Henley-on-Thames hosts this three-day event
When: October 2-4
How much? £5 to £9 for all events.
What: The third Henley Festival promises to be one of the highlights of the
book festival circuit. Big events in an intimate setting including riverside
poetry readings by authors and a special celebration of Sir John Mortimer’s
novels and plays. Writing workshops will be available as well as puppet
shows to keep the younger ones entertained.
Who: Jeremy Paxman, Charley Boorman, Michael Winner, Gavin Esler and Kate
Williams contribute to a star-studded line-up of authors, poets, and
playwrights.
WWW: www.henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk
Tel: 07751 210814
SHOREDITCH FESTIVAL –AROUND THE WORLD IN SHOREDITCH
Where: Shoreditch Park, London
When: July 18, 1pm-7pm
How much? Free
What: The eighth festival delivered by Shoreditch Trust, aiming to bring
together communities through performance and cultural experiences.
Entertainment varies from live music to movie screenings in the Shoreditch
Park amphitheatre.
Who: Rachel Lichtenstein, Joe Dunthorne, Jacob Ross
WWW: www.shoreditchfestival.org.uk
Tel: 0207 033 8520
South West:
APPLEDORE BOOK FESTIVAL
Where: Appledore, Devon
When: Sept 26 – Oct 04
How much? Tickets from £5
What: Set in a picturesque little fishing village, first set up in 2006 to
save its local library, the festival has stayed true to its beginnings and
continues to raise money for the local library and to support reading
projects for disadvantaged children.
Who: Michael Morpurgo, Patrick Gale, Tony Benn
WWW: www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk
Tel: 01237 424 949
DARTINGTON HALL FESTIVAL – WAY WITH WORDS
Where: Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon
When: July 10-19
How much? Tickets from £8
What: Aside from more than 150 literary events, the medieval courtyard of the
14th century great hall is sprinkled with penguin deckchairs in the outdoor
reading room and two old Parisian red fire engines called les van rouges
which will be serving food throughout. There is also a Ted Hughes Memorial
Lecture by Andrew Motion.
Who: Vince Cable, Paddy Ashdown, Anthony Sher?, Karen Armstrong, A C Grayling,
Steve Jones, Andrew Motion, Roy Hattersley
WWW: www.wayswithwords.co.uk
Tel: 01803 867311
Northern Ireland:
BELFAST FESTIVAL AT QUEENS
Where: 30 venues across Belfast
When: October 16-31
How much? Some free events and galleries, other tickets range £5-£35
What: A large festival in Ireland, bringing together authors, musicians,
comedians and other performers. Now in its 47th year, 60,000 people are
expected to attend, with the Mariinsky Orchestra to kick start the festival.
Who: Valery Gergiev, John Bishop, Julian Clary, more guests to be announced in
August.
WWW: www.belfastfestival.com
Tel: 028 9097 1197
Scotland:
ISLAY BOOK FESTIVAL
Where: Port Ellen Primary School, Port Ellen, Islay Island off the west coast
of Scotland
When: September 5-6
How Much? Adult sessions are £3 and concessions are free. Children’s sessions
are free.
What: Founded in 2006, this small local book festival provides programmes for
adults and children. A number of Scotland’s most successful authors and
politicians deliver talks on their experiences and writings. Creative
writing workshops for children introduce them to the wonders of literature
through storytelling.
Who: Andrew Nicoll, Hamish Macdonell, Robin Laing.
WWW: www.islaybookfestival.co.uk
Tel: Tickets will be available on the door
SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
Where: Edinburgh and venues across the Lothians
When: October 23 – November 2
How much? Events free for schools, evening events £8-£10
What: This year’s festival has a homelands theme, celebrating cultural,
traditional and contemporary storytelling. There will be storytelling
performances, discussions and workshops for all the family.
Who: International guest speakers from Australia, New Zealand and North
America yet to be announced
WWW: www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk
Telephone: 0131 652 3272
Wales:
DYLAN THOMAS FESTIVAL – A REFUSAL TO MOURN
Where: The Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea
When: October 27 - November 11
How much? Prices range £5-£8
What: Eleventh annual festival that will this year commemorate the 60th
anniversary of the end of World War II with a multi-media celebration of
Thomas’s war poetry and other writers of the period. On November 10, the
second £60,000 Dylan Thomas Prize for writers under 30 will be announced.
Who: Louis de Bernieres, Owen Sheers
WWW: www.dylanthomas.com
Tel: 01792 463980
