Literary stars head for county festival
International authors, poets, storytellers and historians will descend on Shrewsbury from November 24 to 26 for the town’s second annual Festival of Literature.
Among the headline names taking part are the artist and poet Frieda Hughes, archaeologist and TV presenter Alex Langlands and author and screenwriter Stef Penney.
Fifteen events – ranging from author talks, readings and story-telling to writing workshops, a ‘poetry slam’ and self-publishing expo – will take place at venues across the town centre.
The festival launches with award-winning writer Stef Penney in conversation with the novelist and festival patron Jonathan Coe at The Wightman Theatre, 7.30pm.
Penney is the author of three acclaimed novels, including the Costa Award-winning ‘The Tenderness of Wolves’, and will be talking about her most recent fictional work ‘Under a Pole Star’. Coe’s latest work, ‘The Broken Mirror’, will be published in November.
Frieda Hughes will be at the Wightman Theatre on the evening of November 25, talking about her recent illustrated poetry collection, Alternative Values, which contains poems for love, marriage, life, death and some of her childhood experiences as the daughter of poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath.
The event, starting at 7.30pm, will be hosted and supported by national award-winning Shropshire-based poet Liz Lefroy.
Alex Langlands, best known as one of the historian/presenters for the BBC TV series Victorian Farm, Edwardian Farm, Wartime Farm, and Victorian Bakers will be talking about the subject of his new book, Craeft, which explores how traditional crafts are about more than just making, on November 26, 5pm at the Wightman Theatre.
Festival Chair Susan Caroline said: “We are building on the big success of our inaugural festival last year with a fantastic weekend programme of wonderful authors.
“We have 15 exciting events covering poetry, non-fiction, fiction and workshops. We are especially grateful to our volunteers, supporters and sponsors who make it all possible.”
For the full list of events visit the festival website www.shrewsburylitfest.co.uk or pick up a brochure from festival venues or Pengwern Books, Fish Street, Shrewsbury. Tickets can be booked online via the website or purchased at Pengwern Books.
