ALDEBURGH INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL
6 - 8 November 2009

Aldeburgh always generates its own unique atmosphere where, to quote Tom Paulin – one of this year’s 20 featured poets – 'ideas fly about and bang into each other'. Starting with the family event with comic genius John Hegley through visionary encounters with the greatest living English poet Geoffrey Hill to readings by richly-rewarding Americans Philip Levine and Albert Goldbarth, this year’s programme is designed to entertain, stimulate and engage as never before. This year also features The Wonderful Beast Theatre Company performing YES – a specially-created programme of poems and songs celebrating the life and work of Adrian Mitchell, featuring Roger Lloyd-Pack and Diana Quick.

With 47 events – 13 free – you can create your own Festival experience and mix the main readings with workshops, craft talks, discussions, cabaret, masterclass, exhibitions and even an open mic if you want to strut your stuff!

Contact: Box Office
Tel: +44 (0)1728 687110
Website: www.aldeburgh.co.uk
Alternatively contact The Poetry Trust
Tel: +44 (0)1986 835950
Website: www.thepoetrytrust.org

BOOK NOW LITERATURE FESTIVAL, RICHMOND
Various dates in November 2009

The 18th Book Now! literature festival is taking place in venues across Richmond and Twickenham in November. Highlights from the 30-odd events include: Martin Amis, Will Self, AS Byatt, Dom Joly, Gavin Esler, Vince Cable, Miranda Carter, Geoff Dyer, Antony Beevor, Ben Fogle and James Cracknell, Fay Weldon, Grayson Perry, Steven Berkoff, Don Paterson, Jamie McKendrick, Jennie Rooney.  We have a varied and lively selection of events from which to pick and choose.  Significant political leaders, biographers, stars of stage and screen, pre-eminent literary figures, artists, poets and some newer voices all comprise a diverse and, we hope, enthralling array of literary delights to enjoy.

Contact: Anna Ramsay (Arts Coordinator)
London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
Arts Service
Orlean House Gallery
Riverside
Twickenham
TW1 3DJ
Tel: +44 (0)20 8831 6494
Fax: +44 (0)20 8940 7568
E-Mail: anna.ramsay@richmond.gov.uk
Web links: http://www.richmond.gov.uk/book_now_2009

CHORLEYWOOD LITERARY FESTIVAL
Chorleywood, Herts
13 - 15 November 2009

Now in its fourth year, the Chorleywood Litfest features fascinating events to suit every taste. This year we welcome BBC Radio 4's Any Questions programme, host an evening with Shirley Williams, a book group discussion with Penelope Lively, a delve into history with Max Arthur, laugh with Gervaise Phinn, enter the world of fashion with Justine Picardie and Daphne Selfe and go exploring with Ranulf Fiennes. We are also offering a creative writing workshop with novelist Toby Litt and an illustration workshop for children with Lizzie Duncan.  Whether you are a budding writer or want to meet your favourite writer, we are passionate about inspiring you. Visit our website to find out the most up-to-date news about this year's events, read Hannah's blog and find out about our writing competitions for all ages. We are also on Facebook. Tickets on sale from 28 September.

Contact: The Chorleywood Bookshop
4 New Parade
Chorleywood
Hertfordshire
WD3 5NJ
Tel: +44 (0)1923 283566
Web links: www.cwlitfest.org

FOLKESTONE BOOK FESTIVAL
5 - 13 November 2010

Now in its 8th year, the Folkestone Book Festival will play host to a packed week of entertaining live performances from well known and emerging authors and poets including a wide number of events for children and young people.

Contact: Roberta Spicer (Festival Organiser)
The Creative Foundation
The Block
65-69 Tontine Street
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 1JR
Tel: +44 (0)1303 858500
Fax: +44 (0)1303 223761
E-Mail: Roberta@creativefoundation.org.uk
Web links: http://www.folkestonelitfest.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MOUNTAINEERING LITERATURE
Kendal
November 2009 (dates tbc)

The 20th Festival was on the theme ‘Adventure or Madness?’ featured Canadanian Geoff Powter’s Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness (The Mountaineers, 2006), from the USA Clint Willis’s The Boys of Everest: Chris Bonington and the Tragic Story of Climbing’s Greatest Generation (Robson Books, 2006) and also from the USA Jeff Long and his novel The Wall (Simon and Schuster, 2006), plus many other authors.

Contact: Dr Terry Gifford
University of Leeds
15 Ednaston Court
Ednaston
Ashbourne
DE6 3BA
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1335 360581
Fax: +44 (0)113 343 9148
E-Mail: t.gifford@chi.ac.uk
Web links: http://www.festivalofmountaineeringliterature.co.uk/Festival.htm

INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL
November 2009 (tbc)

New work from all over the world brought to life at the Warehouse Theatre's annual International Playwriting Festival. Celebrating the work of new playwrights and consolidating the theatre's role as a powerhouse of new writing.

Contact: Rose Marie Vernon (Festival Administrator)
Warehouse Theatre
Dingwall Road
Croydon
CR0 2NF
Tel: +44 (0)20 8681 1257/+44 (0)20 8680 4060 (Box office)
Fax: +44 (0)20 8688 6699
E-Mail: info@warehousetheatre.co.uk
Web links: http://www.warehousetheatre.co.uk/ipf.html

LANCASTER LITFEST
Dukes Theatre on Moor Lane
November 2009 (dates tbc)

Poetry and fiction with a programme of readings, which in the past has included Atukwei Okai, Maggie Gee, Trevor Griffiths, Peter Plate, Jackee Batanda, Bernardine Evaristo, Diran Adebayo, Rodge Glass, Vicki Feaver and Robert Crawford. Details yet to come of this year's festival.

Contact: Andy Darby (Artistic Director)
Litfest
PO Box 751
Lancaster
LA1 1YQ
Tel: +44 (0)1524 62166/+44 (0)1524 598500 (Duke's Theatre Box Office)
Fax: +44 (0)1524 841216
E-Mail: all@litfest.org
Web links: http://www.litfest.org

NORTHERN CHILDREN'S BOOK FESTIVAL
Blyth Community College, Northumberland
November 2009 (dates tbc)

NCBF is Europe's largest children's book festival. More than 40 of the UK's finest children's writers, poets, illustrators and storytellers are taking part this year.

Contact: Ann Key (Chair)
22 Highbury
Jesmond
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 3DY
Tel: +44 (0)191 281 3289
E-Mail: info@ncbf.org.uk
Web links: http://www.ncbf.org.uk

SMALL PUBLISHERS FAIR
13 - 14 November 2009

International artists’ book fair now in it’s eighth year. Featuring over fifty publishers of books by contemporary artists, poets, writers and composers. Plus readings, talks and book launches. Browse and buy unique publications including beautifully printed limited editions and a huge range of books and magazines, postcards and ephemera. Meet and talk with artists, designers, poets and publishers.

Contact: Martin Rogers
Venue: Conway Hall
25 Red Lion Square
London
WC1R 4RL
Email: info@rgap.co.uk

SOUTHWOLD LITERATURE FESTIVAL
12 - 16 November 2009

Part of the Ways with Words series of literature festivals, Southwold Literature Festival is held in a small seaside resort, gives people a chance to engage with books and ideas. Speakers at past festivals included: Jeremy Paxman, Melvyn Bragg, Victoria Glendinning, Edna & Denis Healey, Jenny Uglow, Jan Dalley, Shirley Williams and many more.

Contact: Kay Dunbar
Ways with Words
Droridge Farm
Dartington,Totnes
Devon
TQ9 6JQ
Tel: +44 (0)1803 867373 (Box office)
Fax: +44 (0)1803 863688
E-Mail: admin@wayswithwords.co.uk
Web links: http://www.wayswithwords.co.uk

UEA INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE FESTIVAL
October - December 2009 (dates tbc)

Speakers in the past have included Michael Ondaatje, Nawal El Saadawi, Doris Lessing, P. D. James, Claire Tomalin, Michael Frayn, Roy Hattersley, Stephen Poliakoff and Michael Holroyd.

The Arthur Miller Centre
Lecture Theatre 1
University of East Anglia
Norwich
Box Office: + 44 (0)1603508050

WAYS WITH WORDS LITERATURE FESTIVAL
St. Edmund’s Hall, Southwold, Suffolk
11-15 November 2010
The charming seaside resort of Southwold with its beach huts, inland lighthouse and fishing harbour is a popular venue for this immensely popular festival run in conjunction with Adnams’ hotels.  Small in comparison to other festivals, events tend to sell out early.

Past speakers include: Michael Buerk, Jane Gardam, Roy Hattersley, Brian Keenan, John Julius Norwich, Jeremy Paxman, Michael Palin, Polly Toynbee, Salley Vickers and Shirley Williams.  Programme available August 2010.

Web links: www.wayswithwords.co.uk