Events
Winter Festival
Spring Festival

Saturday

The following events are taking place on Saturday 13 April 2013:

  • Victoria Glendinning

    Time: 10:00

    Charismatic and driven, Thomas Stamford Raffles changed history by establishing a settlement in Singapore. Join celebrated biographer Victoria Glendinning to hear his story.

  • Downtown Dinosaurs

    Time: 10:00

    The Downtown Dinosaurs are heading to Wordfest! Join Jeanne Willis for a fun-filled action-packed event.

  • Olivia Laing

    Time: 10:00

    Olivia Laing's latest book The Trip to Echo Spring explores why writers drink through the lives six extraordinary writers including Ernest Hemingway and Raymond Carver.

  • Writing for YA Workshop

    Time: 10:00

    A practical workshop for the burgeoning YA market from Catherine Clarke of Felicity Bryan Associates. Catherine  represents a number of bestselling writers for children and young adults including Meg Rosoff, Davd Almond and Jenny Downham.

  • Writing Science

    Time: 10:00

    A practical science writing workshop from two experienced practitioners, Guardian science correspondent Alok Jha and Wellcome Trust science writer Michael Regnier.

  • Horrible Science

    Time: 11:30

    Join Nick Arnold for a spectacular show celebrating the weird and wonderful world of Horrible Science.

  • Tessa Hadley and Susie Boyt

    Time: 11:30

    Two writers described as original, astutely intelligent and insightful join together for this special event. Tessa Hadley and Susie Boyt will talk about their latest novels Clever Girl and The Small Hours...amongst other things.

  • James Buchan

    Time: 11:30

    James Buchan is here to discuss Days of God, his powerful portayal of the 1979 revolution in Iran.

  • Robert Macfarlane

    Time: 13:00

    Robert Macfarlane discusses his amazing new book The Old Ways, a spell-binding examination of place, natural history and literature.

  • Lara Feigel

    Time: 13:00

    The Love-charm of Bombs considers the effect of the blitz on the imaginations and works of five prominent novelists.

  • Manga Workshop

    Time: 13:00

    Join Manga artist Sonia Leong for a hands-on workshop to get to grips with this dynamic Japanese art style.

  • Reading & Writing: Dialogue

    Time: 13:00

    Matthew Reynolds is here to discuss and assist with the precarious art of writing dialogue.

  • Meet David Almond

    Time: 13:00

    Come along and hear celebrated young people's author David Almond dicuss his inspirations, characters and creative processes.

  • Meet Jeremy Strong

    Time: 14:30

    Come and laugh your socks off with the hilarious and multi-award winning Jeremy Strong and hear all about your favourite characters.

  • Francis Spufford

    Time: 14:30

    Francis Spufford provides a dignified and humorous defence of Christian faith.

  • Nadeem Aslam

    Time: 14:30

    Nadeem Aslam's latest novel The Blind Man's Garden is tale of love and loss in post 9/11 Pakistan and Afghanistan.

  • Choosing and using a Literary Agent

    Time: 15:00

    Two experts provide a workshop on how to navigate the world literary agents.

  • Rachel Johnson

    Time: 16:00

    Rachel Johnson's third novel Winter Games explores the lure of fascism in upper class 1930s British society.

  • Alex Danchev

    Time: 16:00

    Alex Danchev provides a landmark account of the life of one of the world's most unconventional and influential painters.

  • What is Contemporary Art?

    Time: 16:00

    An interactive and informative event encouraging kids to get involved with contemporary art.

  • Comedy Workshop

    Time: 16:00

    Ever thought about trying stand-up but didn't know where to start? Join Funny Women's Lynne Parker to find out!

  • Thinking Aloud 2: Obesity

    Time: 17:30

    Three scientists discuss the issue of obesity from a societal, a biological and a dietetic point of view.

  • Tracey Thorn

    Time: 17:30

    Tracey Thorn, one half of Everything But the Girl, talks about her new memoir and life as a pop star.

  • Elif Shafak

    Time: 17:30

    Elif Shafak joins us to discuss her powerful new novel Honour, nominated for this year's Man Asian Literary Prize.

  • Howard Marks

    Time: 19:00

    A riveting hour in the company of Howard Marks - drugs baron, Oxford graduate, and bestselling author.

  • Little Machine

    Time: 19:00

    Unique and original, Little Machine combine poetry with music for a truly memorable performance.

  • Funny Women Showcase

    Time: 20:30

    Join Rowan Pelling, Viv Groskop, Julia Streets and Gabby Best for a hilarious round off to your Saturday.

The Full Line up

Funded by

Principal Sponsor

Sponsors and Supporters

Cambridge Wordfest would not be possible without the help of our sponsors and supporters.

View all our supporters