Beverley Literature Festival 2011

This year’s Literature Festival, which takes place 6 – 16 October, is as special as ever and packed with top-quality events for readers of all tastes.  Margaret Drabble will be talking about her collected short-stories; two of our foremost crime-thriller writers, Val McDermid and Mark Billingham, will share a platform with best-selling thriller writer Tom Rob Smith; and Jon Ronson, who has done so much to reveal the stranger aspects of human life, will be providing an evening of entertainment.

Variety is essential to any quality literary festival and Beverley has it in bookshelf-loads.

We have the wonderful novelists Helen Simonson, Julia Myerson, Joanna Briscoe and Carol Birch (shortlisted for this year’s Man Booker Prize). There are top quality historians with work spanning almost a thousand years of subject matter – with events on subjects as diverse as William the Conqueror’s mother and Ian Fleming’s experience as a commando in World War 11.

In celebration of the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, The Milton Consort will be returning to Beverley with their mix of period music and readings. Oliver Burkeman will be exploring the efficacy of the self-help industry, and Jonathan Jones presents the story of one of the Renaissance’s great artistic battles.

For fans, the festival welcomes Anthony Clavane, winner of sports writer of the year for his book on United.

But isn’t only for readers. It offers a programme of creative writing workshops that will give people a great opportunities to pick up tips about novel writing and playwrighting from some of the best exponents of those arts.

And to bring on the new generation of readers, the children’s literature festival is bigger and better than ever, with readers’ events, word-based activities and lots of performances from some of the best children’s authors around.

Councillor Jane Evison, the council’s portfolioholder for rural issues and cultural services, said: “The Beverley Literature Festival goes from strength to strength and has firmly estalished itself as a keenly awaited event in the festival calendar.

“It is one of several popular and successful festivals in Beverley, supported by the council, which help boost trade and raise the town’s profile, as well as providing excellent entertainment.”

John W Clarke, festival director, said: “The strength of this year’s festival is a testament to the quality of our audiences and the volunteer support we receive, as well as the dedication of East Riding Libraries to extend their reach into the community.  We’re delighted with the programme and we hope you find something that’ll move you to read more, and make your library a home from home.”

Tickets available on 01482 392699 (office hours), Beverley Tourist Information Centre in Butcher Row, and from www.bevlit.org



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