Birmingham Literature Festival returns later this year for ten days of high quality literature events, conversations and activities. Festival events already on sale include:
- Jackie Kay: Poems for National Poetry Day – Thursday 2 October, 7.30 – 8.45pm
- Wake up Happy with Stephen May – Thursday 2 October, 7.30 – 8.45pm
- Roger McGough with Liz Berry: As Far As I Know – Saturday 4 October, 8 – 9.15pm
- Steven Knight: Writing Peaky Blinders – Monday 6 October, 6 – 7.30pm
- Meera Syal in conversation with Sathnam Sanghera – Saturday 11 October, 8 – 9.30pm
They’re currently looking for volunteers to work on the festival:
What they are looking for:
People who are passionate about literature of any kind, who are confident working in a team (sometimes under pressure or at a relatively fast pace) and people who have initiative and drive. They don’t mind whether you have previous voluntary experience, how old you are (as long as you are over the age of 18 by 1 October 2014) or whether you have any qualifications in English or creative writing.
There are several opportunities available:
Event Stewards –includes ushering & making sure audience members know where to go, assisting where necessary with set-up and the breakdown of events, assisting with catering and looking after writers and speakers (where necessary).
Event Runners –includes assisting with the logistics and production of events, moving props and books between venues and meeting writers and speakers at train station/car park/hotel and showing them to their events.
Photo & Videoing Assistants – photographing and videoing the events to create podcasts/a digital record of the Festival.
Ticket and Book Sales Assistants – assisting with the book sales for each event and ticket sales where necessary.
For more information please visit the Birmingham Literature Festival website.
Next week Writing West Midlands presents Page Talk: Portraits, part of a series of creative writing festivals created, written and produced by young people. Not quite in Birmingham (Wolverhampton) but the opportunity is open to the surrounding areas.
Here’s more about that:
YOUNG WRITERS wanted for a week of FREE Workshops in Wolverhampton
Monday 28 July – Friday 1 August
Arena Theatre
Young writers, aged between 12 and 16, looking for a challenge over the summer holidays can take part in an exciting week of workshops happening at the end of this month for the ‘Page Talk’ creative writing festival.
Hosted by the Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton the theme of Portraits will be explored over five half-day workshops which will be led by professional authors, producers, poets, playwrights and more.
20 young people are invited to join the week-long session which ends in a showcase festival day featuring the work produced along with special guests. On Saturday 2 August Arena Theatre will come alive with events including poetry on film, theatre, recorded podcasts and storytelling.
The talented workshop leaders come from a host of backgrounds and include: Naylah Ahmed; an established writer who has written and produced plays for BBC Radio 4 and the BBC Asian Network. Nick Walker; a Perrier-nominated writer who works extensively in theatre and radio. Emma Purshouse; performance poet who won the Wenlock Poetry Festival Slam competition in 2011. Cat Weatherill; a compelling storyteller and children’s author who has featured at many literature festivals and has written for the likes of BBC Radio 4. Neil Reading; theatre Director and Producer.
To take part in the free sessions please send an email via parent or guardian to hayley[at]writingwestmidlands.