This year’s Write Festival, which takes place between Saturday 11th and Friday 24th May, is already bursting at the seams with everything you’d desire as a literature fan.
Now in its third year, the festival will have more than 40 incredible events spread over 2 weeks: you will be able to enjoy a plethora of writing workshops, performances, comedy, storytelling, and poetry slams (there is even a silent book disco and a murder mystery night).
To make sure the festival will be bigger than last year, there has been an increased effort in reaching out into the community, with a range of events happening at local venues across the intriguing and beautiful South Tyneside.
A number of extremely talented names will be making an appearance at the festival this year including the multi-talented Michael Rosen, crime writer Ann Cleeves, TV writer, stand-up comedian and crime novelist Mark Billingham and Erin Kelly, a fiction writer, journalist and creative writing teacher. Also, poet Rowan McCabe, journalist Kevin Maguire, boxing star Glenn McCrory, Geordie-favourite John Grundy and many more will make their way to the North East.
If you’d like your tummy to be tickled (figuratively), there will be entertainment from the Suggestibles, an improv comedy show that is created from the audience’s suggestions.
Award-winning independent bookshop Forum Books will be at the event with their Silent Book Disco, a disco that provides festival-goers with a soundtrack they can dance and read to.
Gerald Dickens, actor, director, producer and great-great-grandson of the author Charles Dickens, will be there to amaze you with his shows ‘Mr Dickens is Coming’ and ‘The Signalman’ – they’re not to be missed.
For aspiring writers, there will be some great opportunities for you to bask in the wealth of knowledge from some industry experts, especially at the informal workshops brought to you by Sixth Element. Inpress, who are instrumental in supporting the sales and marketing of independent book publishers across the UK, will be there to help you on your way too. And if that is not enough support to inspire you, Murder Squad, who have travelled all over the country to talk to readers, will be there to assist your further.
The Write Festival is a great event for both children and adults, with an eclectic mix of activities and entertainment.
If you’re an aspiring writer, enjoy the written word or enjoy engaging performances, then this festival is for you.
For further information, head to theworduk.org/write-festival.
