Festival Programme

Saturday's Events

EventDescriptionTimeWhere
Writing for TV Writer, director and actor (Spitting Image, Rory Bremner, Smith and Jones) Paul Bassett Davies will share the basic principles of sitcom writing in this ...10:00 amAnglia Ruskin University
Advanced FictionNovelist and Lecturer on the MA Creative Writing course at Birkbeck, Julia Bell takes aspiring fiction writers through their technical paces. Using exercises and ...10:00 amAnglia Ruskin University
Lavinia Greenlaw One of our most respected poet/novelists shares her memories and fantasies of childhood and adolescence filtered through the medium of music. Lavinia Greenlaw is ...10:00 amThe McCrum Lecture Theatre
Anthony BrowneAward-winning author/illustrator of the popular Willy the Wimp series, Gorilla and Zoo makes a rare Cambridge appearance. Guaranteed to captivate young children. 10:00 amADC Theatre
Under 5's Rhyme TimeCome to rhyme time, sing some songs, shake some bells and let's get wordfest off to a noisy start! This event is free but tickets ...10:00 amThe Guildhall
Tim HopgoodCome and enter the magical world of this abundantly talented author/illustrator (winner of Cambridgeshire’s Read it Again! award). Reading today from his first book ...11:15 amThe Guildhall
Will SelfHis award-winning, original and inventive prose has made Will Self one of today’s best known and well-respected writers. His latest book, The Butt, is ...11:30 amADC Theatre
Rahila GuptaExposing the shocking secrets of slavery in Britain today, Rahila Gupta gives voice to five individuals who have only recently found some measure of freedom. Their harrowing stories ...11:30 amThe McCrum Lecture Theatre
StorytellingBased in the Kettle’s Yard house, join the storyteller to hear and participate in an imaginative and exciting selection of stories about the importance ...11:30 amKettle's Yard
Marcus ChownA perfect introduction to ideas about space for children aged 6 or over. Marcus Chown has that rare gift of making the complex simple. ...12:30 pmThe Guildhall
Short Fiction: Asham AwardIs there a market for short stories in today’s publishing world? Three winners of the 2007 Asham award for Women believe there is, and they will ...1:00 pmThe McCrum Lecture Theatre
Dan CruickshankEnjoy this enthralling journey across the continents, exploring the world's great architectural endeavors with broadcaster Dan Cruickshank, one of Britain's foremost historic building experts. Concession ...1:00 pmADC Theatre
Performing PoetryDesigned for those of you who write poetry and would like to explore or improve your potential for reading or performing live. Jude will ...1:15 pmAnglia Ruskin University
Translation: Sex, Power & ViolenceExplore some of the challenges of translating morality in both fiction and non-fiction. Led by Nick Caistor and Valérie Tasso (The Other Side of ...2:00 pmAnglia Ruskin University
Tell me a StoryPlay story games and tell stories together – whether traditional tales or your own inventions! For children age 3-6 with their parents. Suitable for the ...2:00 pmKettle's Yard
Alexander Gordon-Smith and Jamie WebbA hilarious whirlwind tour of some of the best, worst, craziest, silliest and most fun inventions in the history of… well, everything! Perfect for ...2:00 pmThe Guildhall
Rose TremainAccomplished and acclaimed novelist Rose Tremain makes her highly anticipated debut at the festival with her latest novel, The Road Home. Concession price: £6.00 2:30 pmADC Theatre
Getting Published – Industry PanelBring your questions and quandaries about the path to publication to our prestigious panel of agents and publishers, each of them responsible for getting ...2:30 pmThe McCrum Lecture Theatre
Paula MetcalfLocal author of the hugely popular We Love Bunk Beds is here to share further adventures of Shirley and Doris, the lovable elephant sisters. This ...3:30 pmThe Guildhall
Debut WritersThree of the most talented new writers to be published this year will read from and discuss their work. Taking centre stage this year ...4:00 pmThe McCrum Lecture Theatre
Poetry Workshop: IdentityThe workshop will focus on how we write about identity. To what degree is identity sincerely constructed and to what degree is it an ...4:00 pmAnglia Ruskin University
Paul Stewart & Chris RiddellBe transported by popular children’s fantasy fiction authors. Barnaby is a fabulous new hero in the tradition of sherlock holmes and alex rider: mystery, ...4:00 pmADC Theatre
Manga WorkshopDiscover the joy that is Manga with Paul Duffield, published Manga artist and winner of Rising Stars of Manga UK 2006. Participants will be ...4:30 pmThe Guildhall
Lisa Appignanesi and Sally BramptonSevere depression affects more than 120 million people worldwide. This event will explore and explode the myths and taboos surrounding women and mental health. Lisa Appignanesi, author of ...5:00 pmThe McCrum Lecture Theatre
Julie Myerson & Esther FreudCelebrated for their powers of story-telling and brilliant evocation of place, Julie Myerson and Esther Freud will read from their latest novels Out of Breath, and Love ...5:30 pmADC Theatre
Words without BordersLisa Appignanesi, author of fiction and non-fiction, translator of many books from the French, and President of English PEN, will be in conversation with ...7:00 pmThe McCrum Lecture Theatre
Joy of SixBack by popular demand! Provocative, funny and tender, the multivoice approach of these five award-winning poets always dazzles audiences. This latest set is guaranteed ...7:00 pmADC Theatre
John Kinsella and Mimi KhalvatiTwo poets drawn to the natural world who write memorably of landscape, love and what it is to be human. Australian poet John Kinsella ...8:30 pmThe McCrum Lecture Theatre
Dave GormanWelcome to the wacky and off-the-wall author of Are You Dave Gorman? and Googlewhack Adventure. Dismayed by the relentless onslaught of American chain stores muscling ...8:30 pmADC Theatre
Jude Simpson's Growing Up GamesRadio 4 stand-up poet Jude Simpson applies her bard’s ye view to grown-up life – and opting out. A unique, feelgood mix ...10:00 pmADC Theatre
Slam Your PoetryThis is poetry at its funkiest and most energetic. Sign up for your 2 minutes of fame, join the open mic and slam us ...11:00 pmADC Theatre
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