Blackpool’s popular literature festival Wordpool is welcoming a new addition to its programme: Festival of Written Word. Wordpool has traditionally run in July, but this new instalment will be running from Wednesday 29-Friday 31 March. Part of three new mini-festivals, the event has been organised to expand Wordpool’s events schedule.
Following a £70,000 grant in 2016 from Arts Council England, organisers Blackpool Council’s Arts and Library Services have already had great success with last July’s Young Adult Fiction Festival and a Festival of Poetry & Performance in October. This month’s festival will see a range of internationally renowned and emerging writers sharing their own writing experiences to both entertain audiences and encourage new talent.
Wednesday 29 March: A Night of Crime
Crime author Elly Griffiths is hosting the launch event Mystery & Illusion: The Art of the Crime Writer at Stanley Park’s Art Deco Café and will be joined by authors Sharon Boston, Alex Marwood and Denise Mina. An evening of writing revelations, live music and sparkling cocktails is promised.
Tickets cost £15 (£13 for library members) and funds raised will go towards Wordpool’s summer schools programme.
Thursday 30 March: From Camper Vans to Cream Teas
Young adult fiction author, Alice Broadway is at Blackpool’s Palatine Library talking about writing in her yellow camper van and her first novel, Ink.
At Layton Library you can hear from G.X. Todd and Kit de Waal, authors who have both achieved critical and popular success with their debut novels.
One of the UK’s best-selling fiction writers, Susan Lewis, having published thirty seven novels, is at Moor Park Library in the afternoon.
Central Library will welcome Julia Crouch, in conversation with Sarah Ward and Mandasue Heller for a Queens of Noir event.
The final event of the day will see Rivers of London author, Ben Aaronovitch in conversation with internationally successful screen writer M.J. Arlidge.
Tickets cost between £3 and £6 per event.
For those who want to enjoy all of Thursday’s festival offerings in style, the Wordpool ‘Rover’ ticket represents excellent value at just £20. It will give access to all events, including food and hop-on/hop-off transport between library venues on a 1967 vintage Leyland bus.
Friday 31 March: Publishing Tips & Writing Competition
Join award-winning publicist, Maura Brickell, head of independent book publishers Bluemoose Books, Kevin Duffy, and debut author Anna Chilvers at Central Library to find out how to get your best seller published. Also find out more about three new creative writing projects Postcards to Blackpool, What’s Your Story? and the Pulp Idol competition which offer unique opportunities for aspiring writers to develop their skills and even a chance to get work published!
Tickets are free or £4
Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of the Council, said, “It is fantastic to see Wordpool develop into an even bigger festival that is attracting acclaimed writers, debut authors and visitors to the town. I hope that it will encourage new talent to explore the magical world of words.”
To find out more about authors and events and to buy tickets, visit your local Blackpool Library or go to the wordpool website or connect with them via Facebook or Twitter.
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