It is that time of year when literary festivals start to advertise their events and... dare I say it... I feel more confident that this year will have far less cancellations than previous years! Literary Festivals are also known as book festivals or writers' festivals and should not be confused with writers' conferences which are not usually open to the general public. It is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people, chat over your favourite coffee and discover new books.
For those of you who have never attended a literary festival before, the event is a celebration of the written word, where readers have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of presentations and readings by both debut and established authors. Usually, but not always, festivals are delivered over several days and is the perfect opportunity for writers to introduce and promote their books and readers to meet their favourite authors. Sometimes the event is combined with another, such as art or music. Many go on to be annual events.
In my author persona I have attended several local festivals as a guest speaker, such as Plymouth Literature Festival, St.Ives Festival open mic session... and even Helly's International Guitar Festival which at the time was expanding their reach by inviting authors to take part (thankfully I didn't have to play an instrument!). I have also attended a few as a keen reader. My first was North Cornwall Book Festival which was organised by author Patrick Gale. The organisers plan another festival for this year which will run from 22nd to 25th September. Tickets will go on sale from the 1st July.
 |
| Me at the 2017 Plymouth Literature Festival |
Tickets can sell out quickly. The Romance Author & Reader Events (also known as RARE22), which will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre in May, have already sold out so it is always a good idea to keep an eye out for your favourite festival so you can bag yourself a ticket in plenty of time!
 |
| Me at the Helly's International Guitar Festival (minus my guitar!) |
Below is a list of up-and-coming festivals. There are far too many to mention here so I do recommend that you Google Literary Festival 2022 to find an event in your area.
Festival:- Words by the Water Festival
Date:- 14th - 20th March 2022
Location:- Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, Cumbria
Festival:- York Literature Festival
Date:- Fri Mar 18 – Sun Mar 27
Location:- Various locations around York
Festival:- Llandeilo Lit Fest
Date:- Apr 23, 2022 - Apr 24, 2022
Location:- Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire
Festival:- Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature
Date:- 6th-14th May 2022
Location:- Fowey, Cornwall
Festival:- Bude Literary Festival
Cornwall:- 18th-22nd May 2022
Location:- Bude, Cornwall
Festival:- Montgomeryshire Literary Festival
Dates:- 10th – 12th June
Location:- Montgomery, Powys, Wales
Festival:- Borders Book Festival
Dates:- 16th - 19th June, 2022
Location:- Harmony Gerden, Melrose, Scotland
Festival:- British Book Bash
Dates:-2nd July 2022
Location:-Villa Park, Birmingham
Festival:- Penzance Literary Festival
Dates:- 6th-9th July 2022
Location:- Penzance, Cornwall
Festival:- Edinburgh International Book Festival
Dates:- 13–29 Aug 2022
Location:- University of Edinburgh’s Edinburgh College of Art on Lauriston
Festival:- Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival
Dates:- 14th – 18th Sept, 2022
Location:- Budleigh Salterton, Devon
Festival:-Isle of Wight Literary Festival
Dates:- 6th -9th October 2022
Location:-Cowes, Isle of Wight
Festival:- Berwick Literary Festival
Dates:- 13th - 16th Oct 2022
Location:- Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland
As I have mentioned earlier, there are many literary festivals held all over the U.K., so if you are interested I suggest you start researching what is available in your area over the spring and summer. It may feel daunting to go to your first event, but everyone tends to be friendly and want to have a good time. I think it is always motivating to chat to others who have the same common interest as yourself... in this case a love for the written word. You may find a new author to follow, a new book to read or come away compelled to start that novel you have always wanted to write. Happy festival hunting everyone!
Festivals can be GREAT fun!! I am taking my OH to see Alexander McCall Smith as part of the York Literary Festival! I'll also be going to Birmingham, Tales on Trent in Stoke and several others.
ReplyDeleteThey can be addictive!
That's great news, John. It's always more fun going with someone who enjoys them too.
DeleteI've missed book festivals, Victoria, so this is a fantastic reminder to get planning! A visit to Cornwall is definitely on my travel list, and it would be fantastic if I could time it with one of your festival readings. : ) ...Aberdeen has both a crime fiction festival, Granite Noir, which is coming up at the end of this month, then Mayfest, when literary talks and readings take place as part of a wider cultural celebration. Both good fun.
ReplyDeleteGranite Noir and Mayfest sound interesting. I hope you have a great time, Rae!
DeleteI love both attending and participating in literary festivals ♥️
ReplyDeleteIt's great to be back to near normal again!
DeleteI've been to the Dartington Hall Lit Fest more than a few times. Saw P D James there, amongst many others. Authors sold their own books but it was never a book fetival as such. The grounds are glorious and it just felt so good swanning around, glass of something cold in hand, amongst like-minded folk.
ReplyDeleteCan't beat swanning around in a beautiful garden with a glass in one hand, Linda ;) Can't wait for summer!
Delete