Events: The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2021
The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival for 2021 has begun.
The festival, held at various venues around the city started today (8th October) and continues until 17th October 2021.
Participants and attendees are there to celebrate everything about books and writing. Those taking part include Writers, Poets, Actors, Politicians, Comedians and Musicians.
There are many things going on including workshops, interviews, panels and family events; some are free, others cost a fee but there is something for everyone.
People taking part include Elif Shafak, Maggie O’ Farrell, Ann Morgan, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sebastian Faulks, Ben Miller, Caroline O’ Donoghue, Clare Balding, Hayley Mills, Jonathan Franzen, Cressida Cowell, Mark Billingham, Josh Widdicombe, Richard Osman, Lisa Jewell, Jed Mercurio, Suzie Dent, Paula Hawkins, Lionel Shriver, Marian Keyes, Dawn French, Bernardine Evaristo, Robert Webb and Will Young.
Workshops over the festival include ‘Writing Scary Stories’ with Jennifer Killick, Young Journalists with the Week Junior, How To Make Awesome Comics with Neill Cameron and Surviving and Thriving as a Young Writer.
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Events: The Desiblitz Literature Festival
Nikesh Shukla
The UK’s leading British South Asian Literary Festival, organised by DESIblitz.com is due to begin on Saturday.
Running from 18th September until 1st October 2021, the Desiblitz Literature Festival aims to champion the work of the UK’s South Asian literary stars as well as raise awareness of the lack of diversity in the UK publishing industry.
Although the festival is designed to encourage young and aspiring British Asian writers, it’s open to all.
Based in Birmingham, the festival will be running a mix of in-person and digital events across the next couple of weeks. Live events will be taking place at The Rep Centre and B Music (formally Symphony Hall,) in the city centre.
As well as workshops, panel events and poetry readings, the festival will showcase 18 leading writers and thinkers of South Asian decent.
People appearing at the event include Imtiaz Dharker, Saima Mir, Serena Patel and Sarfraz Manzoor amongst others.
by Events: Theakston Old Peculier Crime Festival 2021
Ian Rankin OBE
The largest and most prestigious celebration of crime fiction starts tomorrow.
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Festival 2021 is starting tomorrow (22nd July) and running until 25th July.
The Festival Programme Chair, Ian Rankin OBE will be in attendance. He, along with some of the other biggest authors in crime fiction will be discussing topics including the future of crime writing from the rise of cutting edge science to the demise of the Police Procedural.
Special guests include Richard Osman, Elly Griffiths, Mark Billingham and CL Taylor.
Events include The Pleasures and Pitfalls of the Short Story, Planners Vs Pantsters and a Late Night Quiz with Val McDermid and Mark Billingham.
by Events: Portsmouth BookFest 2021
Portsmouth BookFest is celebrating 10 years this year and, despite the current restrictions, is running online until 7th March.
Portsmouth has a strong literary heritage including Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle and the BookFest is continuing that tradition.
There are many online events happening over the next few weeks including author talks and writing workshops.
Events being held include ‘Stories from Lore’ with Dawn Nelson, an interview with Mark Billingham, ‘Helping you finish your book and know what to do with it,’ ‘Writing Crime Fiction’ with Carol Westron, ‘Poetry for Wellbeing,’ with Kathryn Bevis and ‘Writing for Competitions,’ with Jackie Green and Christine Lawrence.
by Puffin and Waterstones Launch Puffin Festival of Big Dreams
The Puffin Festival of Big Dreams begins today. It’s a wonderful chance for your children to get creative.
The children’s publisher, Puffin is celebrating its 80th birthday this year and today, along with Waterstones, they launch their online book festival, the Puffin Festival of Big Dreams.
It will be running for seven days (between 8th -14th June) and it will include exclusive activities for families and children.
The sessions will be at 10.30am and 3.30pm on weekdays and will run from 11am on the weekend. It will be streamed on both Puffin’s You Tube channel, https://www.youtube.com/user/puffinbooks1 and Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PuffinBooks/
The festival will be hosted by Blue Peter presenter, Radzi Chinyanganya and he will be joined by guests including Jacqueline Wilson, Jeff Kinney and Carrie Hope Fletcher. There will also be a chance to see the Coquet Island Puffins with the RSPB.
Puffin are also launching an accompanying activity kit which will include word searches, colouring sheets, an inspiration page, a reading list and a ‘draw your dream’ page. This can be downloaded here.
by Book Club
