Welcome to Cambridge Wordfest

Welcome to Cambridge Wordfest, one of Britain's friendliest and freshest literary festivals. Cambridge Wordfest brings the best in new and established authors to this historic city. There's a Spring festival, taking place this year April 23rd-26th, a Creative Writing Summer School from 28th June-3rd July and a one day Winter Wordfest which will take place on November 29th.

Cambridge Wordfest 23-26th April
A weekend of literary celebration

There is a lot to celebrate at Wordfest 2009 with over 70 writers appearing in one weekend to entertain, enlighten and engage. Here are just a few of our highlights:

  • Andrew Motion will appear in the final week of his tenure as poet laureate.
  • Eminent historian David Starkey will talk about Henry VIII in the 500th anniversary week of Henry's ascension to the throne.
  • CJ Sansom, one of our most popular and accomplished crime writers, is in conversation with Joan Bakewell.
  • We're hosting our first ever events in a Cambridge College. Newnham College is one of Cambridge's oldest colleges for women and has a rich literary heritage. Salley Vickers, Rebecca Abrams, Nicola Beauman and Susan Sellars provide a sample of what Newnham has to offer in this series of events which form part of the University of Cambridge's 800th anniversary celebrations.
  • Book of the Festival: The Great Lover by Jill Dawson. This wonderful 'Cambridge' book is a fictionalised version of the life of doomed poet Rupert Brooke.
  • And for the children we have a variety of authors including a Wordfest debut for Malorie Blackman and a welcome re-appearance for Michael Morpurgo.

The First Wordfest/Gold Dust Creative Writing Summer School
28 June - 3 July 2009

A fantastic opportunity for would-be authors to spend a week in Cambridge writing and learning about writing fiction. Aspiring novelists will stay at Newnham College and attend daily workshops with celebrated writers Louise Doughty and Jill Dawson.

Numbers on this prestigious course will be limited to 30 so book early to avoid disappointment.

The fee includes five nights bed and board in the beautiful surroundings of Newnham College with a drinks reception in the gardens on arrival.

For booking information please email admin@cambridgewordfest.co.uk or telephone the Wordfest Office on 01223 264404

Diary Dates

Wordfest / Gold Dust Summer School 2009
June 29th - July 3rd

Winter Wordfest 2009
November 29th

Cambridge Wordfest 2010
April 9th/10th/11th

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