Writing Magazine March 2020

WRITING FESTIVALS 2020

WRITING MAGAZINE - FESTIVAL GUIDE 2020^63

Buxton International Festival
3-19 July
Buxton Opera House, Pavilion Arts Centre
and Devonshire Campus
Annual festival of opera, music and literature.
Festival Oice, 3 he Square, Buxton,
Derbyshire SK17 9LU; 01298 70395

Ledbury Poetry Festival
3-12 July, Ledbury, Herefordshire
10 days of world class poetry-slams,
workshops, readings, talks, interviews,
installations, poets-in-residence, exhibitions,
street poetry, open mics, poets of national and
international repute.
Phillippa Slinger, Ledbury Poetry Festival,
he Master’s House, St Katherine’s, Ledbury,
Herefordshire HR8 1EA; 01531 636232

John Clare Society Festival
10-13 July, Helpstone, near Peterborough
Annual celebration of the life and work of the
important nature poet, with literary events,
music and drama
01353 668438

Ways With Words
10-20 July
Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon
10-day festival of words and ideas
Philip John, Ways With Words, Droridge
Farm, Droridge Lane, Dartington, Devon
TQ9 6JG; 01803 867373

Latitude Festival
16-19 July
Henham Park, Southwold, Sufolk
Multi-award winning festival based in Sufolk,
providing an eclectic mix of music, theatre,
dance, food, comedy, art, and more.
Festival Republic, 25 Sackville Street, London
W1S 3AX

Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing
Festival, Harrogate
23-26 July, Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate
Celebrating the very best in crime iction, the
festival is a irm date in the literary calendar
and has achieved international acclaim for the
programming, organisation and atmosphere.
Programming chair this year is Ian Rankin.
Harrogate International Festivals, 32
Cheltenham Parade, Harrogate HG1 1DB
01423 562 303

Charles Causley Festival
24-26 July, venues in Launceston
Literature and arts festival celebrating the
famous Cornish poet Charles Causley,
including writing and art workshops, poetry
readings and slams

Dartington International Summer

School and Festival

25 July-22 August, Dartington Hall

Music and arts festival with some poetry and

creative writing events

Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EL

01803 847080

AUGUST

Swanwick Writers’ Summer School

8-14 August

he Hayes Conference Centre, Derbyshire

Swanwick Summer School is a week-long

programme for writers of all ages, abilities

and genres. Featuring courses, workshops,

guest speakers, panels and optional one-

to-one sessions at one fully inclusive price.

Hayes Conference Centre Swanwick, Alfreton,

Derbyshire, DE55 1AU; 07452 283652

Edinburgh International Book Festival

15-31 August

Ofers something for every age and interest,

bringing readers and writers together for

inspiration, entertainment and discussion, with

around 900 authors in more than 800 events

for adults and children each year. Edinburgh

International Book Festival, 5a Charlotte

Square, Edinburgh EH2 4DR; 0131 718 5666

Hastings Litfest

27-30 August, Hastings venues

Lively literature festival on the South Coast

ylanthomas.com

SEPTEMBER

Festival of Writing

4-6 September, University of York

a weekend of courses, events, one-to-ones

and networking, speciically for writers

looking to hone their craft and get published

traditionally, or independently

Annie Rose, Jericho Writers, 4 Acer Walk,

Oxford OX2 6EX

0345 459 9560

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://jerichowriters.com/events/

NAWGFest 2020

4-6 September

Yarnield Park Centre, Stafordshire

NAWG’s annual festival of writing, ofering

workshops on short stories, memoirs,

novel writing, poetry and drama. Includes

the annual Gala Dinner, and other talks,

workshops, and networking opportunities.

Email: http://www.nawg.co.uk/contact-us

Website: http://www.nawg.co.uk/nawgfest-2020

Gladfest

4-6 September

Annual literary festival at Gladstone’s Library

Gladstone’s Library, Church Lane, Hawarden,

Flintshire CH5 3DF; 01244 532350

Nairn Book and Arts Festival

8-13 September, venues around Nairn

Speakers from the world of arts and literature

NBAF Elle Tyler 1 Elderberry Tradespark

Road Nairn IV12 5NF; 01667 452 197

Chiswick Book Festival

10-14 September, various venues in Chiswick

Non-proit-making community book festival

raising money for charity. Events include a

celebration of Harold Pinter’s he Caretaker

with his widow, Lady Antonia Fraser

HighTide Festival

September TBC, Aldeburgh, Sufolk

HighTide awards playwrights with their

irst commission, and these plays are created

in Sufolk through the renowned annual

HighTide Festival in Aldeburgh. Events and

programme TBC

24a St John Street, London EC1M 4AY

Noirwich Crime Writing Festival

10-13 September, venues around Norwich

Fast growing celebration of crime writing with

some big names every year

National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall,

115-123 King Street, Norwich NR1 1QE

01603 877177

Historical Novel Society Conference

11-13 September, Durham University

Details TBC

Morecambe & Vice

12-13 September

he Midland Hotel, Morecambe

Serious but light-hearted annual crime-

writing festival

Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival

16-20 September

he festival has 5 days of best selling authors,

panel events and workshops with activities for

kids, a hub marquee and bookshop and all set

right beside the seaside.

Budleigh Salterton Festival, 10 Fairield Close,

Exmouth, EX8 2BN, Devon; 01395 445275

Appledore Book Festival

18-26 September, various Appledore venues

Literary festival and fringe.

Festival Oice, c/o Docton Court Gallery, 2

Myrtle Street, Appledore, Bideford, Devon

EX39 1PH; 01237 424949