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UK LITERARY FESTIVALS
NOVEMBER
All literature festivals across the UK taking place in November.

ALDEBURGH INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL
6 - 8 November 2009

There will be 44 events (13 free) featuring readings, performances, discussions, close readings, lectures, workshops, craft talks, masterclass, exhibition, poetry quiz, open mic and family event showcasing winners of the Suffolk Young Poets Competition. Plus a trailer for The Poetry Trust’s new digital adventure, The Poetry Channel.

in 2008 The line-up of 22 poets featured the writer and broadcaster Clive James plus major British names including Alan Jenkins, Mimi Khalvati, Pauline Stainer and George Szirtes. Leading poets from overseas include David Kirby and Barbara Hamby, (USA), Antjie Krog (South Africa) and from China, Yi Sha with his Australian translator Simon Patton.

Details of the 2009 line-up wo;; be available on the website from August.

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
November 2009 (dates tbc)

Last year, in its 17th year running, the Book Now Literature Festival 2008 returned to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The festival features some of the most gifted and fascinating contemporary writers including biographers, novelists and leading figures from film, theatre and politics so don’t miss out on our exclusive events, including book signings from all the authors.  There is a focus on extraordinary lives, whether it’s the writers’ own lives or their subjects’ lives, the true-life stories that are revealed are remarkable and inspirational. Two anniversaries will be celebrated during this year’s festival: the 30th birthday of Virago Books and the 400th anniversary of Milton’s birth.

Contact: Liss Porter (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: artsinfo@richmond.gov.uk
Web links: www.richmond.gov.uk/literature

CHORLEYWOOD LITERARY FESTIVAL
Chorleywood, Herts
13 - 15 November 2009

Now in its fourth year, the Chorleywood Litfest features fascinating events to suit every taste. Writers who have visited since we presented the first Chorleywood Litfest in May 2006 include Kate Adie, Jodi Picoult, Barbara Trapido, Ann Cleeves, Kate Clanchy, Sophie Hannah, An Vroumbaut, Mary Berry, James Twining, Katharine McMahon and many more... We also offer intimate workshop and poetry events to whet your writing appetite or give you an insider view of the publishing world. Whether you are a budding writer or want to meet your favourite writer, we are passionate about inspiring you. To find out up-to-date news about the speakers expected this year, please visit our website.

Chorleywood is easily reached by public and private transport, situated as it is on the Metropolitan line and only a mile or so from Junction 18 of the M25. The station is also served by Chiltern Railways on the Marylebone to Aylesbury via Amersham line. Most of the Litfest venues are a short walk from the station.

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

FOLKESTONE LITERARY FESTIVAL
1 - 9 November 2008 (November 2009 tbc)

Now in its 7th year, the Folkestone Literary Festival 2008 played host over 50 speakers, entertainers, poets and creatives in a packed schedule providing 9 days of entertaining live performances. Authors included Kate Adie, Will Self, Denis Norden, Sir Arnold Wesker, Quentin Letts, David Starkey, Sandi Toksvig and Susie Dent. The programme also included a sold out School’s Gala with performance poet John Hegley and former-presenter of BBC’s ‘The Really Wild Show’ Nicola Davies.  

There were storytelling sessions for the younger audience, many events for young people involving Manga, comic drawing and a talk with a graphic novelist, film screenings (including Nick Broomfield’s ‘Battle for Haditha’), two comedy evenings, workshops, exhibitions, tours of the town and more. This year will see even more events to celebrate all that is literary at the festival which has fast become one of the region’s most important cultural events.

Contact: Roberta Spicer (Festival Organiser)
The Creative Foundation
The Block
65-69 Tontine Street
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 1JR
Tel: +44 (0)1303 842192
Fax: +44 (0)1303 245799
E-Mail: Roberta@creativefoundation.org.uk
Web links: http://www.folkestonelitfest.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MOUNTAINEERING LITERATURE
Kendal
November 2008 (dates tbc)

The 20th Festival 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 2008 (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 2008 (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 2008 (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 2008 (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

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