Literary Festivals in UK 2011 ...

I was about to compile a list of Literary Festivals in the UK and realised, the job had already been done for me. A heartfelt Thankyou to http://www.thewordtravels.com/

There are now literary festivals throughout the year in the UK. The largest ones include:

•The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival, at the end of March
•The Guardian Hay Festival, in late May
•Edinburgh International Book Festival, in August
•Cheltenham Festival of Literature, in mid October
In addition there are many festivals that concentrate on the work of a single writer, such as the Wordsworth Festival in January or the Dylan Thomas Festival in November.

There are also festivals celebrating a particular genre or type of writing, such as the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival or the Clerkenwell experimental writing festival (both in July).

Below is a selection of the leading literature festivals in the UK, together with links for further details (copy and paste into your browser).

We also list a number of other festivals that may be of interest for combining with a literary tour. These include The Chelsea Flower Show and The Grosvenor House Art and Antiques Fair. For further information or help with any arrangements, please contact us

MARCH
Bath Literature Festival
A programme featuring over 100 different literary events from debates and lectures to readers' groups, workshops and films in venues throughout the city.
www.bathlitfest.org.uk

Oundle Festival of Literature
7th-21st March, 2009
2009 highlights include John Simpson; Sky News Adam Boulton and journalist and broadcaster Simon Hoggart examining The Blair years; Kate Summerscale, author of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher; Patrick Gale, Paul Torday; Clive Aslet; and James Taylor on Darwin
www.oundlelitfest.org.uk.

King's Sutton Literary Festival
A weekend festival in this charming village close to Banbury, Oxfordshire
www.kslitfest.co.uk

International Festival of Mountaineering Literature
Bretton Hall Campus, Wakefield
http://www.festivalofmountaineeringliterature.co.uk

APRIL
The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival
The Festival presents over 200 authors, covering all areas of writing, plus events for children.
http://www.sundaytimes-oxfordliteraryfestival.co.uk

Cambridge Conference of Contemporary Poetry
Trinity College, Cambridge
http://www.cccp-online.org.uk

Cambridge Wordfest
The Festival presents a wide variety of writers over three days in Cambridge towards the end of April each year.
http://www.cambridgewordfest.co.uk/

Stratford Upon Avon Literary Festival
The fourth Stratford upon Avon Literary Festival takes place between 25th April and 2nd May 2011. Working with The Week magazine as media partner, the festival programme includes author events, workshops, performance poetry and lively panel discussions.
www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk

MAY
The Asia House Festival of Asian Literature
The only Festival in the UK dedicated to writing about Asia, The Asia House Festival of Asian Literature celebrates the newest and best of writing across a broad spectrum of Asian countries in a series of talks, debates and discussions.
May 11 - 22 2009
http://www.asiahouse.org/net/SpecialEvents.aspx

The Charleston Festival
A literary festival at Charleston, country home of Bloomsbury artists Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell
http://www.charleston.org.uk

Daphne du Maurier Festival of Arts and Literature
Fowey, Cornwall
http://www.restormel.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=14120

Lincoln Book Festival
http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/bookfestival

The Guardian Hay Festival
One of the largest literary festivals in the UK, in the ‘Book’ town of Hay-on-Wye
http://www.hayfestival.co.uk

JUNE
Word – University of Aberdeen Writers Festival
http://www.abdn.ac.uk/word

Swaledale Festival
http://www.swaledale-festival.org.uk

Grassington Festival
A general arts and music festival with some literary events
http://www.grassington-festival.org.uk

JULY
Buxton Festival
A festival of opera, music and literature
http://www.buxtonfestival.co.uk

Dartington Hall Festival - Ways With Words
A ten-day literary festival set in the medieval courtyard at Dartington Hall, Devon
http://www.wayswithwords.co.uk

Harrogate Crime Writing Festival
The Cedar Court Hotel, Harrogate
Presents many leading UK and international writers of crime fiction
http://www.harrogate-festival.org.uk/crime

John Clare FestivalThe John Clare School, Helpston nr Peterborough
The festival is a celebration of the life and works of John Clare
http://vzone.virgin.net/linda.curry/jclaresociety.htm

Stratford-on-Avon Poetry Festival
http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/content/view/414/414/

AUGUST
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Charlotte Square Gardens, Edinburgh
Major festival of literature and the artshttp://www.edbookfest.co.uk

SEPTEMBER
Bristol Poetry Festival
Vibrant celebration of poetry
http://www.poetrycan.co.uk

Graham Greene Festival
http://www.grahamgreenebt.org

Chiswick Book Festival
In 2010 the festival is taking place the weekend of 17th - 19th September with authors including Terry Pratchett, Michael Wood, Andrew Motion and Val McDermid
http://www.chiswickbookfestival.org

Wigtown Festival
Scotland's national book town
http://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/index.asp

Bournemouth Literary Festival
A world or words in Bournemouth
http://www.bournemouthliteraryfestival.co.uk

Henley Literary Festival
The 4th Henley Literary Festival takes place from September 29 to October 3 2010. Melvyn Bragg, Antonia Fraser and Craig Brown are among the 100 events being held throughout the town, which will also include Alexei Sayle, Max Hastings and Lionel Shriver
http://www.henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk

OCTOBER
Cheltenham Festival of Literature
A long-established literary festival with upwards of 400 speakers
http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk

Burnham Market Book Festival
Takes place on 1-3 October this year (2010) and includes Simon Jenkins, Sara Wheeler, Nicci French,General Sir Richard Dannatt, Ben Macintyre and Jane Fearnley Whittingstall.
http://www.whitehousebooks.co.uk

Wimbledon Book Festival
A festival in early October which offers a diverse range of readings and book events at a selection of venues in Wimbledon
http://www.wimbledonbookfest.org

Wirral Bookfest
11-17 October 2010 - 21 events run by Wirral Libraries in Merseyside including Carol Ann Duffy, Gervaise Phinn, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Ramsay Campbell, emerging fantasy and sci-fi authors, and writing and publishing workshops
http://www.wirral.gov.uk/bookfest

Inverness Book Festival
http://www.eden-court.co.uk/programme/59/inverness-book-festival.html

Poole Literary Festival
A new festival with its first major programme in 2010. Takes place from 29th - 31st Oct. Writers appearing include poet laureate Carol Anne Duffy and a varied selection of Dorset writers including Paul Atterbury, Kit Berry, Sarah Challis, Daisy Goodwin and Jason Goodwin
http://www.poolelitfest.co.uk

Peak Literary Festival
Held annually in the spring and autumn (May and October/November) in the Peak District National Park
http://www.countrybookshop.co.uk/peakfestival

NOVEMBER
Aldeburgh International Poetry Festival
www.thepoetrytrust.org

Dylan Thomas Festival
The Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea
http://www.dylanthomas.com/index.cfm?articleid=8653

Richmond Upon Thames Literature Festival
2010 will see the 19th Richmond literary festival. Running throughout November, the line up for 2010 features high-profile authors, TV personalities, journalists, poets, politicians, as well as some newer voices, at various venues throughout the borough
http://www.richmond.gov.uk/home/leisure_and_culture/arts/literature_festival.htm

Cambridge Winter Wordfest
At the ADC Theatre in Cambridge
http://www.cambridgewordfest.co.uk/

Southwold Literature Festival
Part of the Ways with Words series of literature festivals, held in the lovely seaside resort of Southwold, Suffolk
http://www.wayswithwords.co.uk/

Enjoy, Gillian.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

As you probably know, World Book Day and Night has come and gone. 'A Millions Reasons to Read' was the slogan used to promote ... books. One million books were given out FREE to 20,000 givers who distributed or maybe still distributing the books. Well, there's nothing wrong with a free book, is there?

The concept sprang from The Book Industry Conference in 2009. Jaimie Byng of Canongate books is said to have started the idea which was later steered by a large committee including Random House, Penguin, Harper-Collins, Faber and Faber, Clays ... et al. So it's no surprise then, that giving out Free books might have meant cheap advertising. I'm not wanting to be sour about the promotion, clearly the book suppliers want to create awareness, especially in this techno-e-reader era but I found that the interest shown when giving out the books was quite amazing. The giving and receiving process somehow seemed to make people feel special. When I offered the FREE book to one lady, she asked, 'How much is it?' not believing something was actually for free. Some people seemed to mist over at the sight of a book. I could almost see their thoughts formulating ... a book? to read? Then a smile ... and once they'd accepted it, I could tell that reading one might be a pleasant experience.

World Book Day and Night encouraged a lot of interest, from large gathering for readings in Trafalgar Square, author readings and promotions in libraries to small reading groups; people getting together creating community spirit. And there's nothing wrong with that, is there?

I have 10 books left: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. If you would like a copy, just email me at gmhesketh@googlemail.com and I will post it to you. [FREE!]

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is about an autistic boy who finds a neighbour's murdered dog in the garden and investigates the mystery. Viewing everyday events and emotions from the character's perspective, there is much to learn from Mark Haddon's novel. Humbling and enlightening, a delightful read.

Jill

King Crow by Michael Stewart ...

So, later that night, when all in my household had eaten their supper and fallen into one of two categories ... dozing on the sofa or showering for an night out, I slipped out to the library - yet again. To tell you the truth, it was a different library to my earlier 'Author Visit' and I consider myself very lucky to have three libraries reasonably close [although I have to admit, I wouldn't like to walk to any of them].

I arrived early - something of a rarity, and finished a few emails in the car whilst waiting for he alloted time. I entered the library with three minutes to spare and typically for me, everyone had begun; the audience glued to the speaker, the speaker, presenting his work. Pink-cheeked apologies later, I slipped into the back row. The truth stared at me from the hand-out. 'Award Winning Author, Michael Stewart: 7.15p.m.' I was clearly fourteen minutes late.

Fortunately, Michael stopped, said 'Hello' and blended back into his story, making me feel totally at ease. With the same ease, he read, explained and discussed his novel, his characters, publication and personal background with an interest and warmth that was captivating in itself.

The novel? Oh yes, that sounds really interesting too. I haven't read it yet because I wanted to listen first, then read, for a change. So I've typed out the blurb for you and here it is :~

'Ashley is everything Cooper isn't, he's tough and good looking, with so much street cred he can divvy some up for Paul as well. When they get into trouble with a local gang, they steal a car and head for the Lakes - Ashley because he thinks he may have killed somebody and Cooper because he wants to seee ravens. Their fight is hectic and intense, and in the middle of it all one of them meets a girl and the other feels pushed out. The three of them find refuge for a time in Helvellyn, but things ar falling apart and soon their road trip makes national headlines ... for all wrong reasons.'

'Michael Stewart is a fascinating new voice, and King Crow is a fine debut novel. Part action thriller, part psychological drama, part birding manual, I've come across nothing quite like it. It's a fantastic example of modern fiction at its innovative best.'

Melvin Burgess

Go to: www. michael-stewart.org.uk

Can't wait to read it.

Gillian

If Only I Could Talk ...

If Only I Could TALK by Tony Lewis:

I've had a busy day, collecting 50 books for World Book Day/Night and giving them out to people. I had the opportunity to attend two author visits; afternoon - listening to famous author, Tony Lewis talk about his debut novel, If Only I Could Talk: A Canine Adventure and later, an award winning author, Michael Stewart [more on next blog - we don't want any fall-outs]

Tony Lewis, born in Cumbria, oh God I wish I'd listened, did he say born or lives ... ? I think he said born, so we'll go with that. The general gist is that he plans, writes and tours walkers in France for most of the year. He obviously loves the outdoors and ... dogs ~ hence the novel.

Lewis portrays the inimitable friendships between fellow dogs and their two-legged companions. We see things through a dog's eyes and feel the engrained effect the dog has on three separate families. Lewis's book explores the delicate and remarkable bond which is formed between an autisitic child and one special dog.

If Only I Could Talk comes with a warning direct from the author at the library reading: The first chapter is a tear-jerker. After that, a tale of Three Families ... Two Worlds ... One Dog and a happy ending, well almost.

'Emotional and touching ... a story told from the heart, with great love and compassion for animals ... They do talk ... it's just that we can't understand them.'
Sheila Belshaw, author of Fly with a Miracle.

'An amazing story of two brave dogs ... very funny as well as emotionally satisfying.' Gerry McCullough. N.Ireland.

Order online at http://www.troubadour.co.uk/ or http://www.ifonlyicouldtalk.co.uk/

Gillian

Waiting for THAT Letter ...

So, I've finally spent the week-end plus, formulating that special query letter, editing the synopsis, checking the selected chapter[s] and updating my CV.

I did actually manage to forward the above information to an assortment of publishers and agents. And here comes the chicken and egg question ... Do you send a query letter to get an idea of selection probability ... or ... Do you completely and utterly butterly complete the project [ie novel], then send it to publishers / agents? I imagine recipients only want to see a finished product but sometimes, I feel it's a bit like fishing in the dark. You know there are fish in the water but they're hard to catch.

You've got to believe in your product. I agree with that. And going through the motion of approaching publishers and agents has been a worthwhile task, even if I don't catch someone's interest, it has made me more aware of the market, the vehicle; the suppliers. It's made me fine-tune the product I am trying to promote and share.

But why? I ask myself many times. Is my writing a hobby? It's certainly not a job or I might be getting paid for it. So, I say to myself, if it's a hobby, thats okay. I don't have to sell my product. But ... it's a bit like training for rugby or football and not getting to play on the pitch ... or practising for a choir and never joining in the performance. There needs to be an end, closure, ownership ... something ...

And yes, I've done enough talking the talk, perhaps now its time for walking the walk !

So, I won't wait by my letter box, meet the postman at the end of my garden, obsessively click on my inbox or check any missed calls, I'll use my time wisely whilst waiting patiently for all those publishers and agents to come calling ... I'll get a facial, go shopping, practise smiling for the cameras, prepare Q & A for interviews, prepare a talk for a library, chat session for groups of 6th formers, re-structure my creative writing workshop and in between all that, I'll finish those final chapters !

Gillian

The Christmas Annual ... ?

Yes, well, the Christmas Annual ... If I was a bloke, I would prpbably be kicking imaginary stones about the floor / jangling change in my trouser pocket or even trying a pathetic out-of-tune whistle. Yes, I hear myself say, the Daughters-in-Distress Christmas Annual. The one I have'nt even put pen to paper for, I heard myself saying to no-one but me. Well, I hear myself repeating ~ to myself ~ I'd better get on with it.

So I did.

You've heard plenty of those interviews where musicians say something like, 'Oh yest THAT song, yeah, it took me half an hour when I was staying with friends in the Caribbean one Spring' ... well luckily for me, that's what happened last night [not that I was in the Caribbean, although very much would like to be]. I drew out a brief structure consisting of a page full of squares and considered this my story board. Wow. Such an achievement. And all my ideas just seemed to fall from a memory bank somewhere in my head, onto the page. Yes, my head ached, it still does but it felt like a feng shui overdose. Once the path was clear, the 'stuff' just came tumbling out. Those ideas must have been layering themselves for more than two years. Adapted activities from Creative Writing workshops I ran a few years ago, materialised themselves in a new format on the page; memories of picuture books I had researched ready for the process seemed to sketch themselves whilst I watched, even the flow chart flowed. What a relief.

Thank-you Fairy Godmother whoever you are.

Now ALL I need is an artist, illustrator, agent and publisher.

Maybe if I rub my pocket and count to three, one will appear out of thin air.

Gillian

Day 2 on the Jill Hesketh Diet Plan ...

This might be what is referred to as 'Cross-over' ~ it started life on my Daughters in Distress blog and might sort-of belong here too ...

The Jill Hesketh Diet Plan:~
[all in over-exaggerated Geordie accent as in Big Brother presenters]

Day 2 ~ Breakfast: [for day 1, see www.daughtersindistress.blogspot.com]

2 x rounds of white bread, toasted with lashings of butter.

Large beaker of Nescafe with lots of milk.

Quarter packet Cadbury's nibbles (found them at last !)

Beaker of water - due to pure guilt.

Result: Headache and lethargy !

In my defence, I've been writing all week-end ~ staying up late, emailing and creating packages of examples for publishers and agents [the pressure of which is enough to cause a head-ache in itself] ~ and designing the Daughters-in-Distress Christmas Annual ~ yes that's correct ... although desigining the Daughters-in-Distress Christmas Annual should probably have been carried out before contacting Agents and Publishers ... hey ho ...

Jill

Calling Artists and Illustrators ...

**Artists and Illustrators, I saw this ... and thought of you ...

Orion Publishing Group:

Before submitting artwork, please carefully study our current list to see whether or not it would be appropriate – in subject, style and quality – for Orion. Samples may be sent to The Design Department, The Orion Publishing Group, Orion House, 5 Upper Saint Martin's Lane, London WC2H 9EA. Send photocopies or printed samples ... Do not send email attachments. Also send a covering letter indicating how, where and why your work might be suitable for Orion's publications.

**Alternatively, drop off on Tuesdays (any Tuesday – you do not have to telephone before or afterwards), at 2.00pm and pick-up after 5.00pm. The Art Director will take your work into the department meeting, look through it and discuss it.

www.orionbooks.co.uk search under submission guidelines

Gillian

B Format: Demy: Octavo: Royal

Question:
What does A or B Format, Demy or Royal mean?

Answer:
These are book sizes and translate as follows:

A Format = 178mm x 110mm

B Format = 198mm x 129mm

Demy = 216mm x 135mm

Royal = 234mm x 153mm

Gillian