book your place) your book

Festival Pass: FREE FREE Pass: Festival

3-5pm Centrala FREE event (but please please (but event FREE Centrala 3-5pm

(concs.) £10/£8 Door the 6-7.30pm

Festival attendee October 2016 October attendee Festival www.centrala-space.org.uk.

, is published by Nine Arches Press Arches Nine by published is , Hours

Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival - June 3rd until Centrala at

y.” y.” alread it to forward Looking year. next for there be definitely

fter fter A collection, poetry debut Inua’s

(concs.) £8/£6.40 (concs.) £8/£6.40 Gate Colmore 6-7.15pm exhibition will be be will exhibition poetryartexchange The

ll ll wi and to went I everything enjoyed I events. thought-provoking thestudiobirmingham, 4-5pm

– Metro – stage.” on keep

corporate culture. corporate The event will close with a drinks reception. drinks a with close will event The

such wonderfully generous company to to company generous wonderfully such

can’t be faced”. be can’t wonderful of days 10 wonderful a for you thank big “A , is on feminism, austerity and and austerity feminism, on is , Out Lean experience of taking part in the project. project. the in part taking of experience

deeply original beauty and he remains remains he and beauty original deeply

avoiding the ugliest truths because they they because truths ugliest the avoiding Literary Supplement. Her first book, book, first Her Supplement. Literary will read their poems and share their their share and poems their read will

“Ellams’ poetry gleams with a dusty, worn, worn, dusty, a with gleams poetry “Ellams’

is no security in not knowing things, in in things, knowing not in security no is Review of Books, Independent and Times Times and Independent Books, of Review In this special celebration five of the poets poets the of five celebration special this In

“When you have grown up as I have, there there have, I as up grown have you “When

and economics for The Guardian, London London Guardian, The for economics and or a place to call home. call to place a or

installation, bringing the words to life. to words the bringing installation,

Foster, writer on politics, social affairs affairs social politics, on writer Foster, all the while without a country to belong to to belong to country a without while the all

Thebes’. We love it already. it love We Thebes’.

Gallery will host an exhibition and sound sound and exhibition an host will Gallery

Luke will be in conversation with Dawn Dawn with conversation in be will Luke Theatre and drinking wine with the Queen, Queen, the with wine drinking and Theatre which she is calling ‘Honour Among Among ‘Honour calling is she which a book of the project, and Centrala Centrala and project, the of book a

Islam to performing at the National National the at performing to Islam

a humorous history of Ancient Greece Greece Ancient of history humorous a writing at University of Birmingham. Birmingham. of University at writing The University of Bucharest has published published has Bucharest of University The

story - from escaping fundamentalist fundamentalist escaping from - story

To introduce the book Natalie will present present will Natalie book the introduce To and writer of fiction. He teaches creative creative teaches He fiction. of writer and created another two poems in response. response. in poems two another created

Inua tells his fantastic, ridiculous, moving moving ridiculous, fantastic, his tells Inua

Luke is an award-winning poet, critic critic poet, award-winning an is Luke two poems, read each other’s work, and and work, other’s each read poems, two Observer finds it ‘vivid and affecting’. affecting’. and ‘vivid it finds Observer

and Romanian poets. Each poet submitted submitted poet Each poets. Romanian and by Islamists, the family leave for England. for leave family the Islamists, by ancient story, with women to the fore, The The fore, the to women with story, ancient success?

cultural collaboration between nine British British nine between collaboration cultural territory. When their home is burned down down burned is home their When territory.

A new telling of an an of telling new A Jocasta. of Children

What’s standing between you and and you between standing What’s

is a unique cross- unique a is poetryartexchange Christian mother in Nigeria’s Boko Haram Haram Boko Nigeria’s in mother Christian The The novel, second her in Sophocles on

“completely gripping”. “completely Ellams was born to a Muslim father and a a and father Muslim a to born was Ellams writer, broadcaster and comedian, takes takes comedian, and broadcaster writer,

From Romania, with love with Romania, From

fierce, and very funny. Isy Suttie says it’s it’s says Suttie Isy funny. very and fierce,

Poet, playwright and performer Inua Inua performer and playwright Poet, Birmingham’s own Natalie Haynes, Haynes, Natalie own Birmingham’s

vision of the near future is both tender and and tender both is future near the of vision

an Immigrant an

Honour Among Thebes Thebes Among Honour scheme for Generation Rent. Kennard’s Kennard’s Rent. Generation for scheme £8/£6.40 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival (concs.), £8/£6.40

join The Transition, a life-improvement life-improvement a Transition, The join

2-3.30pm thestudiobirmingham thestudiobirmingham 2-3.30pm with Evening An Haynes Natalie

In Luke Kennard’s brilliant dystopia you you dystopia brilliant Kennard’s Luke In

In partnership with Sampad with partnership In

Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival What do you do? do? you do What Menon. CG by foreword a with

(concs.) £10/£8 Birmingham You’re in debt, in trouble, facing eviction. eviction. facing trouble, in debt, in You’re Publishing and edited by Farhana Shaikh Shaikh Farhana by edited and Publishing

7.45-8.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of of Library Theatre, Studio 7.45-8.45pm

£8/£6.40 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival (concs.), £8/£6.40 Dahlia by published is Lines Dividing

with Dawn Foster Dawn with

8-9.30pm thestudiobirmingham, thestudiobirmingham, 8-9.30pm the digital age. digital the broadcaster and journalist, Bidisha. journalist, and broadcaster

Luke Kennard Luke

conversation about how we connect in in connect we how about conversation write something, anything - do it”. do - anything something, write with conversation in be then and stories,

This will be a lively and thoughtful thoughtful and lively a be will This one will care what you say. If you want to to want you If say. you what care will one their from read will - Patel Ashok and

“Don’t believe it when people tell you no- you tell people when it believe “Don’t Patel Serena Khalique, Farhana Betab, 4-5.30pm Secret Location £10/£8 (concs.) £10/£8 Location Secret 4-5.30pm

and blogger Emma Gannon. Emma blogger and

it better. it

Four of the shortlisted writers - Meera Meera - writers shortlisted the of Four

memoir of growing up online, by journalist journalist by online, up growing of memoir and be inspired. be and Literature Festival’s best kept secret! secret! kept best Festival’s Literature

gives us the possibility of understanding understanding of possibility the us gives

Festival Director Festival is the compelling compelling the is Delete Alt Control writer. frank, funny and fearless as she is. Come Come is. she as fearless and funny frank, writers. Asian from emerging place. Book now to be in on Birmingham Birmingham on in be to now Book place.

be able to imagine someone else’s life life else’s someone imagine to able be

Davidson, Jonathan with the online presence of a Japanese Japanese a of presence online the with speaking truth to power and it’s exactly as as exactly it’s and power to truth speaking writing new best very the recognise and location shortly before the event takes takes event the before shortly location

To ever. than important more feels it,

story of a young woman’s obsession obsession woman’s young a of story is her guide to to guide her is Everywoman book new Her discover to exists prize The Prize. Story Audience members will be advised of the the of advised be will members Audience

festival pass details. pass festival

ways too. Making literature, and reading reading and literature, Making too. ways

is the the is Sympathy novel debut Olivia’s by winners of The Asian Writer Short Short Writer Asian The of winners by an unexpected venue in the city centre. centre. city the in venue unexpected an

See overleaf for venues, programme and and programme venues, for overleaf See But this year feels significant in other other in significant feels year this But

human trafficking. trafficking. human

, an anthology of stories written written stories of anthology an , Lines Weatherill will present true life stories in in stories life true present will Weatherill

out of it. of out

domestic violence, sexual violence and and violence sexual violence, domestic

Join in and enjoy! and in Join

within this great city. great this within

Dividing Dividing launching be to delighted We’re Internationally renowned storyteller Cat Cat storyteller renowned Internationally

each written about a life lived more in than than in more lived life a about written each she worked in the city with victims of of victims with city the in worked she

including Romania, Poland and the USA. USA. the and Poland Romania, including

twenty years of sharing great writing writing great sharing of years twenty

the same age as the Internet and they’ve they’ve and Internet the as age same the Birmingham Yardley in 2015. Before that that Before 2015. in Yardley Birmingham belonging and boundaries Secret Storytelling - live, in Birmingham. in live, - Storytelling Secret

Birmingham and further afield, afield, further and Birmingham

It’s a significant year for us, celebrating celebrating us, for year significant a It’s

Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic are both both are Sudjic Olivia and Gannon Emma Jess Phillips was elected MP for for MP elected was Phillips Jess borders, of theme on stories Short Who needs Secret Cinema when you have have you when Cinema Secret needs Who

We welcome a host of writers from from writers of host a welcome We of the Birmingham Literature Festival. Festival. Literature Birmingham the of

canoes, beetles and book launches. launches. book and beetles canoes, Edition Spring the present to thrilled I’m with Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic Olivia and Gannon Emma with Secret Storytelling Secret Everywoman Bidisha with Launch Book

journey incorporating bicycles and and bicycles incorporating journey

Jess Phillips MP Phillips Jess Lines Dividing Connect Only old! decades two We’re The Spring Edition will take us on a a on us take will Edition Spring The Friday 21st April 21st Friday

Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday April 21st Friday Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday April 23rd Sunday Welcome

The 20th year of great writers, performers, Sunday 23rd April Sunday 23rd April thinkers and speakers in Birmingham. Beetle Queen Poetry Primers Launch Xan Brooks and with M.G.Leonard Poetry Primers is an exciting Sarah Phelps collaboration between The Poetry M. G. Leonard is a writer of books, poems Get the latest updates: School and Nine Arches Press, Xan Brooks is an award-winning writer, and screenplays. Beetle Boy, the story of spotlighting talented emerging poets and editor and broadcaster. His debut novel, a friendship between a boy and a beetle, supporting their development. This event The Clocks in This House All Tell Different @bhamlitfest was shortlisted for the Waterstones sees the launch of Primers Volume 2, a Times, is a dark social realist fairy tale set Children’s Book Prize, and longlisted collection showcasing work by Cynthia in the 1920s. Xan is one of The Observer’s Facebook.com/bhamlitfest for the Carnegie Greenaway Award and Miller (Birmingham), Ben Bransfield New Faces of Fiction 2017. Branford Boase Award. The sequel, Beetle (Shropshire) and Marvin Thompson Sarah Phelps is a screenwriter. Her dark www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Queen, featuring the villainous Lucretia (South Wales). and thrilling adaptations of the Agatha Cutter and her yellow ladybird spies, has Christie stories ‘And Then There Were Box Office: 0121 245 4455 just been published. Your MC for this special event with all three poets is Primers’ judge Jane None’ and ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ Join M.G.Leonard to hear more about the Commane. for BBC1 were widely acclaimed. books, and her infectious enthusiasm for Sarah and Xan will discuss their beetles. There will also be a very special 1-2.30pm Waterstones £3 fascination with the shadowy underside opportunity to examine the Carlier Beetle Festival Pass: FREE of England between the wars, and the Collection, one of best beetle collections dangers of historical nostalgia. in the country, developed by Birmingham Hidden Nature entomologist Stuart Carlier in the early 5.30-6.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of twentieth century, now held by the with Alys Fowler Birmingham £8/£6.40 (concs.), Birmingham Museums Trust. Alys Fowler’s memoir, Hidden Nature, Festival Pass: FREE “Truly great storytelling” - Michael charts two journeys - her exploration of Morpurgo the 100 miles of navigable canals around Lionel Shriver Birmingham by canoe, and her falling in Suggested age 7-11 love with a woman after years of marriage Festival Finale 11am-12.30pm Thinktank £6 for to a man. children (adults accompany for free) In her latest novel The Mandibles: It’s a beautiful and moving book, and a A Family, 2029-2047, Lionel Shriver unique guide to Birmingham’s hidden imagines America’s economic and social wilderness. collapse. A border wall is built between America and Mexico, but this one is built “The best maps are not published, are by Mexico to keep North Americans out. not accurate or even sensible, but are the Spring Edition maps we make ourselves about our cities, Unsettling and entertaining in equal our kith and kin.” measure, Lionel Shriver is the perfect guide to an America changing faster than Alys is an award-winning journalist and fiction can imagine. 21-23 APRIL 2017 passionate gardener, a regular presenter of BBC Gardeners’ World and Guardian “Plots set in the future are about what WRITERS BOOKS IDEAS columnist. people fear in the present. They’re not about the future at all”. 3.30-5pm Canalside £8/£6.40 (concs.) www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Festival Pass: FREE 7.30-8.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham £12/£9.60 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Sponsored by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

book your place) your book

Festival Pass: FREE FREE Pass: Festival

3-5pm Centrala FREE event (but please please (but event FREE Centrala 3-5pm

(concs.) £10/£8 Door the 6-7.30pm

Festival attendee October 2016 October attendee Festival www.centrala-space.org.uk.

, is published by Nine Arches Press Arches Nine by published is , Hours

Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival - June 3rd until Centrala at

y.” y.” alread it to forward Looking year. next for there be definitely

fter fter A collection, poetry debut Inua’s

(concs.) £8/£6.40 (concs.) £8/£6.40 Gate Colmore 6-7.15pm exhibition will be be will exhibition poetryartexchange The

ll ll wi and to went I everything enjoyed I events. thought-provoking thestudiobirmingham, 4-5pm

– Metro – stage.” on keep

corporate culture. corporate The event will close with a drinks reception. drinks a with close will event The

such wonderfully generous company to to company generous wonderfully such

can’t be faced”. be can’t “A big thank you for a wonderful 10 days of wonderful wonderful of days 10 wonderful a for you thank big “A

, is on feminism, austerity and and austerity feminism, on is , Out Lean experience of taking part in the project. project. the in part taking of experience

deeply original beauty and he remains remains he and beauty original deeply

avoiding the ugliest truths because they they because truths ugliest the avoiding Literary Supplement. Her first book, book, first Her Supplement. Literary will read their poems and share their their share and poems their read will

“Ellams’ poetry gleams with a dusty, worn, worn, dusty, a with gleams poetry “Ellams’

is no security in not knowing things, in in things, knowing not in security no is Review of Books, Independent and Times Times and Independent Books, of Review In this special celebration five of the poets poets the of five celebration special this In

“When you have grown up as I have, there there have, I as up grown have you “When

and economics for The Guardian, London London Guardian, The for economics and or a place to call home. call to place a or

installation, bringing the words to life. to words the bringing installation,

Foster, writer on politics, social affairs affairs social politics, on writer Foster, all the while without a country to belong to to belong to country a without while the all

Thebes’. We love it already. it love We Thebes’.

Gallery will host an exhibition and sound sound and exhibition an host will Gallery

Luke will be in conversation with Dawn Dawn with conversation in be will Luke Theatre and drinking wine with the Queen, Queen, the with wine drinking and Theatre which she is calling ‘Honour Among Among ‘Honour calling is she which a book of the project, and Centrala Centrala and project, the of book a

Islam to performing at the National National the at performing to Islam

a humorous history of Ancient Greece Greece Ancient of history humorous a writing at University of Birmingham. Birmingham. of University at writing The University of Bucharest has published published has Bucharest of University The

story - from escaping fundamentalist fundamentalist escaping from - story

To introduce the book Natalie will present present will Natalie book the introduce To and writer of fiction. He teaches creative creative teaches He fiction. of writer and created another two poems in response. response. in poems two another created

Inua tells his fantastic, ridiculous, moving moving ridiculous, fantastic, his tells Inua

Luke is an award-winning poet, critic critic poet, award-winning an is Luke two poems, read each other’s work, and and work, other’s each read poems, two Observer finds it ‘vivid and affecting’. affecting’. and ‘vivid it finds Observer

and Romanian poets. Each poet submitted submitted poet Each poets. Romanian and by Islamists, the family leave for England. for leave family the Islamists, by ancient story, with women to the fore, The The fore, the to women with story, ancient success?

cultural collaboration between nine British British nine between collaboration cultural territory. When their home is burned down down burned is home their When territory.

A new telling of an an of telling new A Jocasta. of Children

What’s standing between you and and you between standing What’s

is a unique cross- unique a is poetryartexchange Christian mother in Nigeria’s Boko Haram Haram Boko Nigeria’s in mother Christian The The novel, second her in Sophocles on

“completely gripping”. “completely Ellams was born to a Muslim father and a a and father Muslim a to born was Ellams writer, broadcaster and comedian, takes takes comedian, and broadcaster writer,

From Romania, with love with Romania, From

fierce, and very funny. Isy Suttie says it’s it’s says Suttie Isy funny. very and fierce,

Poet, playwright and performer Inua Inua performer and playwright Poet, Birmingham’s own Natalie Haynes, Haynes, Natalie own Birmingham’s

vision of the near future is both tender and and tender both is future near the of vision

an Immigrant an

Honour Among Thebes Thebes Among Honour scheme for Generation Rent. Kennard’s Kennard’s Rent. Generation for scheme £8/£6.40 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival (concs.), £8/£6.40

join The Transition, a life-improvement life-improvement a Transition, The join

2-3.30pm thestudiobirmingham thestudiobirmingham 2-3.30pm Natalie Haynes Natalie with Evening An

In Luke Kennard’s brilliant dystopia you you dystopia brilliant Kennard’s Luke In

In partnership with Sampad with partnership In

Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival What do you do? do? you do What Menon. CG by foreword a with

(concs.) £10/£8 Birmingham You’re in debt, in trouble, facing eviction. eviction. facing trouble, in debt, in You’re Publishing and edited by Farhana Shaikh Shaikh Farhana by edited and Publishing

7.45-8.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of of Library Theatre, Studio 7.45-8.45pm

is published by Dahlia Dahlia by published is Lines Dividing £8/£6.40 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival (concs.), £8/£6.40

with Dawn Foster Dawn with

8-9.30pm thestudiobirmingham, thestudiobirmingham, 8-9.30pm the digital age. digital the broadcaster and journalist, Bidisha. journalist, and broadcaster

Luke Kennard Luke

conversation about how we connect in in connect we how about conversation stories, and then be in conversation with with conversation in be then and stories, write something, anything - do it”. do - anything something, write

This will be a lively and thoughtful thoughtful and lively a be will This and Ashok Patel - will read from their their from read will - Patel Ashok and one will care what you say. If you want to to want you If say. you what care will one

Betab, Farhana Khalique, Serena Patel Patel Serena Khalique, Farhana Betab, “Don’t believe it when people tell you no- you tell people when it believe “Don’t 4-5.30pm Secret Location £10/£8 (concs.) £10/£8 Location Secret 4-5.30pm

and blogger Emma Gannon. Emma blogger and

it better. it

Four of the shortlisted writers - Meera Meera - writers shortlisted the of Four

memoir of growing up online, by journalist journalist by online, up growing of memoir and be inspired. be and Literature Festival’s best kept secret! secret! kept best Festival’s Literature

gives us the possibility of understanding understanding of possibility the us gives

Festival Director Festival is the compelling compelling the is Delete Alt Control writer. emerging from Asian writers. Asian from emerging frank, funny and fearless as she is. Come Come is. she as fearless and funny frank, place. Book now to be in on Birmingham Birmingham on in be to now Book place.

be able to imagine someone else’s life life else’s someone imagine to able be

Davidson, Jonathan with the online presence of a Japanese Japanese a of presence online the with and recognise the very best new writing writing new best very the recognise and speaking truth to power and it’s exactly as as exactly it’s and power to truth speaking location shortly before the event takes takes event the before shortly location

To ever. than important more feels it,

story of a young woman’s obsession obsession woman’s young a of story Story Prize. The prize exists to discover discover to exists prize The Prize. Story is her guide to to guide her is Everywoman book new Her Audience members will be advised of the the of advised be will members Audience

festival pass details. pass festival

ways too. Making literature, and reading reading and literature, Making too. ways

is the the is Sympathy novel debut Olivia’s by winners of The Asian Writer Short Short Writer Asian The of winners by an unexpected venue in the city centre. centre. city the in venue unexpected an

See overleaf for venues, programme and and programme venues, for overleaf See But this year feels significant in other other in significant feels year this But

human trafficking. trafficking. human

, an anthology of stories written written stories of anthology an , Lines Weatherill will present true life stories in in stories life true present will Weatherill

out of it. of out

domestic violence, sexual violence and and violence sexual violence, domestic

Join in and enjoy! and in Join

within this great city. great this within

Dividing Dividing launching be to delighted We’re Internationally renowned storyteller Cat Cat storyteller renowned Internationally

each written about a life lived more in than than in more lived life a about written each she worked in the city with victims of of victims with city the in worked she

including Romania, Poland and the USA. USA. the and Poland Romania, including

twenty years of sharing great writing writing great sharing of years twenty

the same age as the Internet and they’ve they’ve and Internet the as age same the boundaries and belonging and boundaries Birmingham Yardley in 2015. Before that that Before 2015. in Yardley Birmingham Secret Storytelling - live, in Birmingham. in live, - Storytelling Secret

Birmingham and further afield, afield, further and Birmingham

It’s a significant year for us, celebrating celebrating us, for year significant a It’s

Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic are both both are Sudjic Olivia and Gannon Emma Short stories on theme of borders, borders, of theme on stories Short Jess Phillips was elected MP for for MP elected was Phillips Jess Who needs Secret Cinema when you have have you when Cinema Secret needs Who

We welcome a host of writers from from writers of host a welcome We of the Birmingham Literature Festival. Festival. Literature Birmingham the of

canoes, beetles and book launches. launches. book and beetles canoes, Edition Spring the present to thrilled I’m with Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic Olivia and Gannon Emma with Secret Storytelling Secret Book Launch with Bidisha with Launch Book Everywoman

journey incorporating bicycles and and bicycles incorporating journey

We’re two decades old! decades two We’re Dividing Lines Dividing Connect Only

Jess Phillips MP Phillips Jess The Spring Edition will take us on a a on us take will Edition Spring The Friday 21st April 21st Friday

Friday 21st April 21st Friday Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday Sunday 23rd April 23rd Sunday Welcome Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday

The 20th year of great writers, performers, Sunday 23rd April Sunday 23rd April thinkers and speakers in Birmingham. Beetle Queen Poetry Primers Launch Xan Brooks and with M.G.Leonard Poetry Primers is an exciting Sarah Phelps collaboration between The Poetry M. G. Leonard is a writer of books, poems Get the latest updates: School and Nine Arches Press, Xan Brooks is an award-winning writer, and screenplays. Beetle Boy, the story of spotlighting talented emerging poets and editor and broadcaster. His debut novel, a friendship between a boy and a beetle, supporting their development. This event The Clocks in This House All Tell Different @bhamlitfest was shortlisted for the Waterstones sees the launch of Primers Volume 2, a Times, is a dark social realist fairy tale set Children’s Book Prize, and longlisted collection showcasing work by Cynthia in the 1920s. Xan is one of The Observer’s Facebook.com/bhamlitfest for the Carnegie Greenaway Award and Miller (Birmingham), Ben Bransfield New Faces of Fiction 2017. Branford Boase Award. The sequel, Beetle (Shropshire) and Marvin Thompson Sarah Phelps is a screenwriter. Her dark www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Queen, featuring the villainous Lucretia (South Wales). and thrilling adaptations of the Agatha Cutter and her yellow ladybird spies, has Christie stories ‘And Then There Were Box Office: 0121 245 4455 just been published. Your MC for this special event with all three poets is Primers’ judge Jane None’ and ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ Join M.G.Leonard to hear more about the Commane. for BBC1 were widely acclaimed. books, and her infectious enthusiasm for Sarah and Xan will discuss their beetles. There will also be a very special 1-2.30pm Waterstones £3 fascination with the shadowy underside opportunity to examine the Carlier Beetle Festival Pass: FREE of England between the wars, and the Collection, one of best beetle collections dangers of historical nostalgia. in the country, developed by Birmingham Hidden Nature entomologist Stuart Carlier in the early 5.30-6.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of twentieth century, now held by the with Alys Fowler Birmingham £8/£6.40 (concs.), Birmingham Museums Trust. Alys Fowler’s memoir, Hidden Nature, Festival Pass: FREE “Truly great storytelling” - Michael charts two journeys - her exploration of Morpurgo the 100 miles of navigable canals around Lionel Shriver Birmingham by canoe, and her falling in Suggested age 7-11 love with a woman after years of marriage Festival Finale 11am-12.30pm Thinktank £6 for to a man. children (adults accompany for free) In her latest novel The Mandibles: It’s a beautiful and moving book, and a A Family, 2029-2047, Lionel Shriver unique guide to Birmingham’s hidden imagines America’s economic and social wilderness. collapse. A border wall is built between America and Mexico, but this one is built “The best maps are not published, are by Mexico to keep North Americans out. not accurate or even sensible, but are the Spring Edition maps we make ourselves about our cities, Unsettling and entertaining in equal our kith and kin.” measure, Lionel Shriver is the perfect guide to an America changing faster than Alys is an award-winning journalist and fiction can imagine. 21-23 APRIL 2017 passionate gardener, a regular presenter of BBC Gardeners’ World and Guardian “Plots set in the future are about what WRITERS BOOKS IDEAS columnist. people fear in the present. They’re not about the future at all”. 3.30-5pm Canalside £8/£6.40 (concs.) www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Festival Pass: FREE 7.30-8.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham £12/£9.60 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Sponsored by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

book your place) your book

Festival Pass: FREE FREE Pass: Festival

3-5pm Centrala FREE event (but please please (but event FREE Centrala 3-5pm

(concs.) £10/£8 Door the 6-7.30pm

Festival attendee October 2016 October attendee Festival www.centrala-space.org.uk.

, is published by Nine Arches Press Arches Nine by published is , Hours

Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival - June 3rd until Centrala at

y.” y.” alread it to forward Looking year. next for there be definitely

fter fter A collection, poetry debut Inua’s

(concs.) £8/£6.40 (concs.) £8/£6.40 Gate Colmore 6-7.15pm exhibition will be be will exhibition poetryartexchange The

ll ll wi and to went I everything enjoyed I events. thought-provoking thestudiobirmingham, 4-5pm

– Metro – stage.” on keep

corporate culture. corporate The event will close with a drinks reception. drinks a with close will event The

such wonderfully generous company to to company generous wonderfully such

can’t be faced”. be can’t “A big thank you for a wonderful 10 days of wonderful wonderful of days 10 wonderful a for you thank big “A

, is on feminism, austerity and and austerity feminism, on is , Out Lean experience of taking part in the project. project. the in part taking of experience

deeply original beauty and he remains remains he and beauty original deeply

avoiding the ugliest truths because they they because truths ugliest the avoiding Literary Supplement. Her first book, book, first Her Supplement. Literary will read their poems and share their their share and poems their read will

“Ellams’ poetry gleams with a dusty, worn, worn, dusty, a with gleams poetry “Ellams’

is no security in not knowing things, in in things, knowing not in security no is Review of Books, Independent and Times Times and Independent Books, of Review In this special celebration five of the poets poets the of five celebration special this In

“When you have grown up as I have, there there have, I as up grown have you “When

and economics for The Guardian, London London Guardian, The for economics and or a place to call home. call to place a or

installation, bringing the words to life. to words the bringing installation,

Foster, writer on politics, social affairs affairs social politics, on writer Foster, all the while without a country to belong to to belong to country a without while the all

Thebes’. We love it already. it love We Thebes’.

Gallery will host an exhibition and sound sound and exhibition an host will Gallery

Luke will be in conversation with Dawn Dawn with conversation in be will Luke Theatre and drinking wine with the Queen, Queen, the with wine drinking and Theatre which she is calling ‘Honour Among Among ‘Honour calling is she which a book of the project, and Centrala Centrala and project, the of book a

Islam to performing at the National National the at performing to Islam

a humorous history of Ancient Greece Greece Ancient of history humorous a writing at University of Birmingham. Birmingham. of University at writing The University of Bucharest has published published has Bucharest of University The

story - from escaping fundamentalist fundamentalist escaping from - story

To introduce the book Natalie will present present will Natalie book the introduce To and writer of fiction. He teaches creative creative teaches He fiction. of writer and created another two poems in response. response. in poems two another created

Inua tells his fantastic, ridiculous, moving moving ridiculous, fantastic, his tells Inua

Luke is an award-winning poet, critic critic poet, award-winning an is Luke two poems, read each other’s work, and and work, other’s each read poems, two Observer finds it ‘vivid and affecting’. affecting’. and ‘vivid it finds Observer

and Romanian poets. Each poet submitted submitted poet Each poets. Romanian and by Islamists, the family leave for England. for leave family the Islamists, by ancient story, with women to the fore, The The fore, the to women with story, ancient

success?

cultural collaboration between nine British British nine between collaboration cultural territory. When their home is burned down down burned is home their When territory.

A new telling of an an of telling new A Jocasta. of Children

What’s standing between you and and you between standing What’s

is a unique cross- unique a is poetryartexchange Christian mother in Nigeria’s Boko Haram Haram Boko Nigeria’s in mother Christian The The novel, second her in Sophocles on

“completely gripping”. “completely Ellams was born to a Muslim father and a a and father Muslim a to born was Ellams writer, broadcaster and comedian, takes takes comedian, and broadcaster writer,

From Romania, with love with Romania, From

fierce, and very funny. Isy Suttie says it’s it’s says Suttie Isy funny. very and fierce,

Poet, playwright and performer Inua Inua performer and playwright Poet, Birmingham’s own Natalie Haynes, Haynes, Natalie own Birmingham’s

vision of the near future is both tender and and tender both is future near the of vision

an Immigrant an

Honour Among Thebes Thebes Among Honour

scheme for Generation Rent. Kennard’s Kennard’s Rent. Generation for scheme £8/£6.40 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival (concs.), £8/£6.40

join The Transition, a life-improvement life-improvement a Transition, The join

2-3.30pm thestudiobirmingham thestudiobirmingham 2-3.30pm Natalie Haynes Natalie with Evening An

In Luke Kennard’s brilliant dystopia you you dystopia brilliant Kennard’s Luke In

In partnership with Sampad with partnership In

Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival What do you do? do? you do What Menon. CG by foreword a with

(concs.) £10/£8 Birmingham You’re in debt, in trouble, facing eviction. eviction. facing trouble, in debt, in You’re Publishing and edited by Farhana Shaikh Shaikh Farhana by edited and Publishing

7.45-8.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of of Library Theatre, Studio 7.45-8.45pm

is published by Dahlia Dahlia by published is Lines Dividing £8/£6.40 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival (concs.), £8/£6.40

with Dawn Foster Dawn with

8-9.30pm thestudiobirmingham, thestudiobirmingham, 8-9.30pm

the digital age. digital the broadcaster and journalist, Bidisha. journalist, and broadcaster

Luke Kennard Luke

conversation about how we connect in in connect we how about conversation stories, and then be in conversation with with conversation in be then and stories, write something, anything - do it”. do - anything something, write

This will be a lively and thoughtful thoughtful and lively a be will This and Ashok Patel - will read from their their from read will - Patel Ashok and one will care what you say. If you want to to want you If say. you what care will one

Betab, Farhana Khalique, Serena Patel Patel Serena Khalique, Farhana Betab, “Don’t believe it when people tell you no- you tell people when it believe “Don’t 4-5.30pm Secret Location £10/£8 (concs.) £10/£8 Location Secret 4-5.30pm

and blogger Emma Gannon. Emma blogger and

it better. it

Four of the shortlisted writers - Meera Meera - writers shortlisted the of Four

memoir of growing up online, by journalist journalist by online, up growing of memoir and be inspired. be and Literature Festival’s best kept secret! secret! kept best Festival’s Literature

gives us the possibility of understanding understanding of possibility the us gives

Festival Director Festival is the compelling compelling the is Delete Alt Control writer. emerging from Asian writers. Asian from emerging frank, funny and fearless as she is. Come Come is. she as fearless and funny frank, place. Book now to be in on Birmingham Birmingham on in be to now Book place.

be able to imagine someone else’s life life else’s someone imagine to able be

Davidson, Jonathan with the online presence of a Japanese Japanese a of presence online the with and recognise the very best new writing writing new best very the recognise and speaking truth to power and it’s exactly as as exactly it’s and power to truth speaking location shortly before the event takes takes event the before shortly location

To ever. than important more feels it,

story of a young woman’s obsession obsession woman’s young a of story Story Prize. The prize exists to discover discover to exists prize The Prize. Story is her guide to to guide her is Everywoman book new Her Audience members will be advised of the the of advised be will members Audience

festival pass details. pass festival

ways too. Making literature, and reading reading and literature, Making too. ways

is the the is Sympathy novel debut Olivia’s by winners of The Asian Writer Short Short Writer Asian The of winners by an unexpected venue in the city centre. centre. city the in venue unexpected an

See overleaf for venues, programme and and programme venues, for overleaf See But this year feels significant in other other in significant feels year this But

human trafficking. trafficking. human

, an anthology of stories written written stories of anthology an , Lines Weatherill will present true life stories in in stories life true present will Weatherill

out of it. of out

domestic violence, sexual violence and and violence sexual violence, domestic

Join in and enjoy! and in Join

within this great city. great this within

Dividing Dividing launching be to delighted We’re Internationally renowned storyteller Cat Cat storyteller renowned Internationally

each written about a life lived more in than than in more lived life a about written each she worked in the city with victims of of victims with city the in worked she

including Romania, Poland and the USA. USA. the and Poland Romania, including

twenty years of sharing great writing writing great sharing of years twenty

the same age as the Internet and they’ve they’ve and Internet the as age same the boundaries and belonging and boundaries Birmingham Yardley in 2015. Before that that Before 2015. in Yardley Birmingham Secret Storytelling - live, in Birmingham. in live, - Storytelling Secret

Birmingham and further afield, afield, further and Birmingham

It’s a significant year for us, celebrating celebrating us, for year significant a It’s

Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic are both both are Sudjic Olivia and Gannon Emma Short stories on theme of borders, borders, of theme on stories Short Jess Phillips was elected MP for for MP elected was Phillips Jess Who needs Secret Cinema when you have have you when Cinema Secret needs Who

We welcome a host of writers from from writers of host a welcome We of the Birmingham Literature Festival. Festival. Literature Birmingham the of

canoes, beetles and book launches. launches. book and beetles canoes, Edition Spring the present to thrilled I’m with Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic Olivia and Gannon Emma with Secret Storytelling Secret Book Launch with Bidisha with Launch Book Everywoman

journey incorporating bicycles and and bicycles incorporating journey

Dividing Lines Dividing Connect Only old! decades two We’re

Jess Phillips MP Phillips Jess The Spring Edition will take us on a a on us take will Edition Spring The Friday 21st April 21st Friday

Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday April 21st Friday Sunday 23rd April 23rd Sunday Welcome Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday

The 20th year of great writers, performers, Sunday 23rd April Sunday 23rd April thinkers and speakers in Birmingham. Beetle Queen Poetry Primers Launch Xan Brooks and with M.G.Leonard Poetry Primers is an exciting Sarah Phelps collaboration between The Poetry M. G. Leonard is a writer of books, poems Get the latest updates: School and Nine Arches Press, Xan Brooks is an award-winning writer, and screenplays. Beetle Boy, the story of spotlighting talented emerging poets and editor and broadcaster. His debut novel, a friendship between a boy and a beetle, supporting their development. This event The Clocks in This House All Tell Different @bhamlitfest was shortlisted for the Waterstones sees the launch of Primers Volume 2, a Times, is a dark social realist fairy tale set Children’s Book Prize, and longlisted collection showcasing work by Cynthia in the 1920s. Xan is one of The Observer’s Facebook.com/bhamlitfest for the Carnegie Greenaway Award and Miller (Birmingham), Ben Bransfield New Faces of Fiction 2017. Branford Boase Award. The sequel, Beetle (Shropshire) and Marvin Thompson Sarah Phelps is a screenwriter. Her dark www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Queen, featuring the villainous Lucretia (South Wales). and thrilling adaptations of the Agatha Cutter and her yellow ladybird spies, has Christie stories ‘And Then There Were Box Office: 0121 245 4455 just been published. Your MC for this special event with all three poets is Primers’ judge Jane None’ and ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ Join M.G.Leonard to hear more about the Commane. for BBC1 were widely acclaimed. books, and her infectious enthusiasm for Sarah and Xan will discuss their beetles. There will also be a very special 1-2.30pm Waterstones £3 fascination with the shadowy underside opportunity to examine the Carlier Beetle Festival Pass: FREE of England between the wars, and the Collection, one of best beetle collections dangers of historical nostalgia. in the country, developed by Birmingham Hidden Nature entomologist Stuart Carlier in the early 5.30-6.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of twentieth century, now held by the with Alys Fowler Birmingham £8/£6.40 (concs.), Birmingham Museums Trust. Alys Fowler’s memoir, Hidden Nature, Festival Pass: FREE “Truly great storytelling” - Michael charts two journeys - her exploration of Morpurgo the 100 miles of navigable canals around Lionel Shriver Birmingham by canoe, and her falling in Suggested age 7-11 love with a woman after years of marriage Festival Finale 11am-12.30pm Thinktank £6 for to a man. children (adults accompany for free) In her latest novel The Mandibles: It’s a beautiful and moving book, and a A Family, 2029-2047, Lionel Shriver unique guide to Birmingham’s hidden imagines America’s economic and social wilderness. collapse. A border wall is built between America and Mexico, but this one is built “The best maps are not published, are by Mexico to keep North Americans out. not accurate or even sensible, but are the Spring Edition maps we make ourselves about our cities, Unsettling and entertaining in equal our kith and kin.” measure, Lionel Shriver is the perfect guide to an America changing faster than Alys is an award-winning journalist and fiction can imagine. 21-23 APRIL 2017 passionate gardener, a regular presenter of BBC Gardeners’ World and Guardian “Plots set in the future are about what WRITERS BOOKS IDEAS columnist. people fear in the present. They’re not about the future at all”. 3.30-5pm Canalside £8/£6.40 (concs.) www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Festival Pass: FREE 7.30-8.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham £12/£9.60 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Sponsored by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

book your place) your book

Festival Pass: FREE FREE Pass: Festival

3-5pm Centrala FREE event (but please please (but event FREE Centrala 3-5pm

(concs.) £10/£8 Door the 6-7.30pm

Festival attendee October 2016 October attendee Festival

www.centrala-space.org.uk.

, is published by Nine Arches Press Arches Nine by published is , Hours

Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival - June 3rd until Centrala at

y.” y.” alread it to forward Looking year. next for there be definitely

fter fter A collection, poetry debut Inua’s

(concs.) £8/£6.40 (concs.) £8/£6.40 Gate Colmore 6-7.15pm exhibition will be be will exhibition poetryartexchange The

ll ll wi and to went I everything enjoyed I events. thought-provoking thestudiobirmingham, 4-5pm

– Metro – stage.” on keep

corporate culture. corporate The event will close with a drinks reception. drinks a with close will event The

such wonderfully generous company to to company generous wonderfully such

can’t be faced”. be can’t “A big thank you for a wonderful 10 days of wonderful wonderful of days 10 wonderful a for you thank big “A

, is on feminism, austerity and and austerity feminism, on is , Out Lean experience of taking part in the project. project. the in part taking of experience

deeply original beauty and he remains remains he and beauty original deeply

avoiding the ugliest truths because they they because truths ugliest the avoiding Literary Supplement. Her first book, book, first Her Supplement. Literary will read their poems and share their their share and poems their read will

“Ellams’ poetry gleams with a dusty, worn, worn, dusty, a with gleams poetry “Ellams’

is no security in not knowing things, in in things, knowing not in security no is Review of Books, Independent and Times Times and Independent Books, of Review In this special celebration five of the poets poets the of five celebration special this In

“When you have grown up as I have, there there have, I as up grown have you “When

and economics for The Guardian, London London Guardian, The for economics and or a place to call home. call to place a or

installation, bringing the words to life. to words the bringing installation,

Foster, writer on politics, social affairs affairs social politics, on writer Foster, all the while without a country to belong to to belong to country a without while the all

Thebes’. We love it already. it love We Thebes’.

Gallery will host an exhibition and sound sound and exhibition an host will Gallery

Luke will be in conversation with Dawn Dawn with conversation in be will Luke Theatre and drinking wine with the Queen, Queen, the with wine drinking and Theatre

which she is calling ‘Honour Among Among ‘Honour calling is she which a book of the project, and Centrala Centrala and project, the of book a

Islam to performing at the National National the at performing to Islam

a humorous history of Ancient Greece Greece Ancient of history humorous a writing at University of Birmingham. Birmingham. of University at writing The University of Bucharest has published published has Bucharest of University The

story - from escaping fundamentalist fundamentalist escaping from - story

To introduce the book Natalie will present present will Natalie book the introduce To and writer of fiction. He teaches creative creative teaches He fiction. of writer and created another two poems in response. response. in poems two another created

Inua tells his fantastic, ridiculous, moving moving ridiculous, fantastic, his tells Inua

Luke is an award-winning poet, critic critic poet, award-winning an is Luke two poems, read each other’s work, and and work, other’s each read poems, two Observer finds it ‘vivid and affecting’. affecting’. and ‘vivid it finds Observer

and Romanian poets. Each poet submitted submitted poet Each poets. Romanian and by Islamists, the family leave for England. for leave family the Islamists, by

ancient story, with women to the fore, The The fore, the to women with story, ancient

success?

cultural collaboration between nine British British nine between collaboration cultural territory. When their home is burned down down burned is home their When territory.

A new telling of an an of telling new A Jocasta. of Children

What’s standing between you and and you between standing What’s

is a unique cross- unique a is poetryartexchange Christian mother in Nigeria’s Boko Haram Haram Boko Nigeria’s in mother Christian The The novel, second her in Sophocles on

“completely gripping”. “completely Ellams was born to a Muslim father and a a and father Muslim a to born was Ellams

writer, broadcaster and comedian, takes takes comedian, and broadcaster writer,

From Romania, with love with Romania, From

fierce, and very funny. Isy Suttie says it’s it’s says Suttie Isy funny. very and fierce,

Poet, playwright and performer Inua Inua performer and playwright Poet, Birmingham’s own Natalie Haynes, Haynes, Natalie own Birmingham’s

vision of the near future is both tender and and tender both is future near the of vision

an Immigrant an

Honour Among Thebes Thebes Among Honour

scheme for Generation Rent. Kennard’s Kennard’s Rent. Generation for scheme £8/£6.40 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival (concs.), £8/£6.40

join The Transition, a life-improvement life-improvement a Transition, The join

2-3.30pm thestudiobirmingham thestudiobirmingham 2-3.30pm Natalie Haynes Natalie with Evening An

In Luke Kennard’s brilliant dystopia you you dystopia brilliant Kennard’s Luke In

In partnership with Sampad with partnership In

Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival What do you do? do? you do What Menon. CG by foreword a with

(concs.) £10/£8 Birmingham You’re in debt, in trouble, facing eviction. eviction. facing trouble, in debt, in You’re Publishing and edited by Farhana Shaikh Shaikh Farhana by edited and Publishing

7.45-8.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of of Library Theatre, Studio 7.45-8.45pm

is published by Dahlia Dahlia by published is Lines Dividing £8/£6.40 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival (concs.), £8/£6.40

with Dawn Foster Dawn with

8-9.30pm thestudiobirmingham, thestudiobirmingham, 8-9.30pm

the digital age. digital the

broadcaster and journalist, Bidisha. journalist, and broadcaster

Luke Kennard Luke

conversation about how we connect in in connect we how about conversation stories, and then be in conversation with with conversation in be then and stories, write something, anything - do it”. do - anything something, write

This will be a lively and thoughtful thoughtful and lively a be will This and Ashok Patel - will read from their their from read will - Patel Ashok and one will care what you say. If you want to to want you If say. you what care will one

Betab, Farhana Khalique, Serena Patel Patel Serena Khalique, Farhana Betab, “Don’t believe it when people tell you no- you tell people when it believe “Don’t 4-5.30pm Secret Location £10/£8 (concs.) £10/£8 Location Secret 4-5.30pm

and blogger Emma Gannon. Emma blogger and

it better. it

Four of the shortlisted writers - Meera Meera - writers shortlisted the of Four

memoir of growing up online, by journalist journalist by online, up growing of memoir and be inspired. be and Literature Festival’s best kept secret! secret! kept best Festival’s Literature

gives us the possibility of understanding understanding of possibility the us gives

Festival Director Festival is the compelling compelling the is Delete Alt Control writer. emerging from Asian writers. Asian from emerging frank, funny and fearless as she is. Come Come is. she as fearless and funny frank, place. Book now to be in on Birmingham Birmingham on in be to now Book place.

be able to imagine someone else’s life life else’s someone imagine to able be

Davidson, Jonathan with the online presence of a Japanese Japanese a of presence online the with and recognise the very best new writing writing new best very the recognise and speaking truth to power and it’s exactly as as exactly it’s and power to truth speaking location shortly before the event takes takes event the before shortly location

To ever. than important more feels it,

story of a young woman’s obsession obsession woman’s young a of story Story Prize. The prize exists to discover discover to exists prize The Prize. Story is her guide to to guide her is Everywoman book new Her Audience members will be advised of the the of advised be will members Audience

festival pass details. pass festival

ways too. Making literature, and reading reading and literature, Making too. ways

is the the is Sympathy novel debut Olivia’s

by winners of The Asian Writer Short Short Writer Asian The of winners by an unexpected venue in the city centre. centre. city the in venue unexpected an

See overleaf for venues, programme and and programme venues, for overleaf See But this year feels significant in other other in significant feels year this But

human trafficking. trafficking. human

, an anthology of stories written written stories of anthology an , Lines Weatherill will present true life stories in in stories life true present will Weatherill

out of it. of out

domestic violence, sexual violence and and violence sexual violence, domestic

Join in and enjoy! and in Join

within this great city. great this within

Dividing Dividing launching be to delighted We’re Internationally renowned storyteller Cat Cat storyteller renowned Internationally

each written about a life lived more in than than in more lived life a about written each she worked in the city with victims of of victims with city the in worked she

including Romania, Poland and the USA. USA. the and Poland Romania, including

twenty years of sharing great writing writing great sharing of years twenty

the same age as the Internet and they’ve they’ve and Internet the as age same the boundaries and belonging and boundaries Birmingham Yardley in 2015. Before that that Before 2015. in Yardley Birmingham Secret Storytelling - live, in Birmingham. in live, - Storytelling Secret

Birmingham and further afield, afield, further and Birmingham

It’s a significant year for us, celebrating celebrating us, for year significant a It’s

Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic are both both are Sudjic Olivia and Gannon Emma Short stories on theme of borders, borders, of theme on stories Short Jess Phillips was elected MP for for MP elected was Phillips Jess Who needs Secret Cinema when you have have you when Cinema Secret needs Who

We welcome a host of writers from from writers of host a welcome We of the Birmingham Literature Festival. Festival. Literature Birmingham the of

canoes, beetles and book launches. launches. book and beetles canoes, Edition Spring the present to thrilled I’m with Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic Olivia and Gannon Emma with Secret Storytelling Secret Book Launch with Bidisha with Launch Book Everywoman

journey incorporating bicycles and and bicycles incorporating journey

We’re two decades old! decades two We’re Dividing Lines Dividing Connect Only

Jess Phillips MP Phillips Jess The Spring Edition will take us on a a on us take will Edition Spring The Friday 21st April 21st Friday

Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday April 21st Friday Welcome Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday April 23rd Sunday

The 20th year of great writers, performers, Sunday 23rd April Sunday 23rd April thinkers and speakers in Birmingham. Beetle Queen Poetry Primers Launch Xan Brooks and with M.G.Leonard Poetry Primers is an exciting Sarah Phelps collaboration between The Poetry M. G. Leonard is a writer of books, poems Get the latest updates: School and Nine Arches Press, Xan Brooks is an award-winning writer, and screenplays. Beetle Boy, the story of spotlighting talented emerging poets and editor and broadcaster. His debut novel, a friendship between a boy and a beetle, supporting their development. This event The Clocks in This House All Tell Different @bhamlitfest was shortlisted for the Waterstones sees the launch of Primers Volume 2, a Times, is a dark social realist fairy tale set Children’s Book Prize, and longlisted collection showcasing work by Cynthia in the 1920s. Xan is one of The Observer’s Facebook.com/bhamlitfest for the Carnegie Greenaway Award and Miller (Birmingham), Ben Bransfield New Faces of Fiction 2017. Branford Boase Award. The sequel, Beetle (Shropshire) and Marvin Thompson Sarah Phelps is a screenwriter. Her dark www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Queen, featuring the villainous Lucretia (South Wales). and thrilling adaptations of the Agatha Cutter and her yellow ladybird spies, has Christie stories ‘And Then There Were Box Office: 0121 245 4455 just been published. Your MC for this special event with all three poets is Primers’ judge Jane None’ and ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ Join M.G.Leonard to hear more about the Commane. for BBC1 were widely acclaimed. books, and her infectious enthusiasm for Sarah and Xan will discuss their beetles. There will also be a very special 1-2.30pm Waterstones £3 fascination with the shadowy underside opportunity to examine the Carlier Beetle Festival Pass: FREE of England between the wars, and the Collection, one of best beetle collections dangers of historical nostalgia. in the country, developed by Birmingham Hidden Nature entomologist Stuart Carlier in the early 5.30-6.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of twentieth century, now held by the with Alys Fowler Birmingham £8/£6.40 (concs.), Birmingham Museums Trust. Alys Fowler’s memoir, Hidden Nature, Festival Pass: FREE “Truly great storytelling” - Michael charts two journeys - her exploration of Morpurgo the 100 miles of navigable canals around Lionel Shriver Birmingham by canoe, and her falling in Suggested age 7-11 love with a woman after years of marriage Festival Finale 11am-12.30pm Thinktank £6 for to a man. children (adults accompany for free) In her latest novel The Mandibles: It’s a beautiful and moving book, and a A Family, 2029-2047, Lionel Shriver unique guide to Birmingham’s hidden imagines America’s economic and social wilderness. collapse. A border wall is built between America and Mexico, but this one is built “The best maps are not published, are by Mexico to keep North Americans out. not accurate or even sensible, but are the Spring Edition maps we make ourselves about our cities, Unsettling and entertaining in equal our kith and kin.” measure, Lionel Shriver is the perfect guide to an America changing faster than Alys is an award-winning journalist and fiction can imagine. 21-23 APRIL 2017 passionate gardener, a regular presenter of BBC Gardeners’ World and Guardian “Plots set in the future are about what WRITERS BOOKS IDEAS columnist. people fear in the present. They’re not about the future at all”. 3.30-5pm Canalside £8/£6.40 (concs.) www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Festival Pass: FREE 7.30-8.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham £12/£9.60 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Sponsored by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

book your place) your book

Festival Pass: FREE FREE Pass: Festival

3-5pm Centrala FREE event (but please please (but event FREE Centrala 3-5pm

(concs.) £10/£8 Door the 6-7.30pm

Festival attendee October 2016 October attendee Festival

www.centrala-space.org.uk.

, is published by Nine Arches Press Arches Nine by published is , Hours

Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival - June 3rd until Centrala at

y.” y.” alread it to forward Looking year. next for there be definitely

fter fter A collection, poetry debut Inua’s

(concs.) £8/£6.40 (concs.) £8/£6.40 Gate Colmore 6-7.15pm exhibition will be be will exhibition poetryartexchange The

ll ll wi and to went I everything enjoyed I events. thought-provoking thestudiobirmingham, 4-5pm

– Metro – stage.” on keep

corporate culture. corporate The event will close with a drinks reception. drinks a with close will event The

such wonderfully generous company to to company generous wonderfully such

can’t be faced”. be can’t “A big thank you for a wonderful 10 days of wonderful wonderful of days 10 wonderful a for you thank big “A

, is on feminism, austerity and and austerity feminism, on is , Out Lean experience of taking part in the project. project. the in part taking of experience

deeply original beauty and he remains remains he and beauty original deeply

avoiding the ugliest truths because they they because truths ugliest the avoiding Literary Supplement. Her first book, book, first Her Supplement. Literary will read their poems and share their their share and poems their read will

“Ellams’ poetry gleams with a dusty, worn, worn, dusty, a with gleams poetry “Ellams’

is no security in not knowing things, in in things, knowing not in security no is Review of Books, Independent and Times Times and Independent Books, of Review In this special celebration five of the poets poets the of five celebration special this In

“When you have grown up as I have, there there have, I as up grown have you “When

and economics for The Guardian, London London Guardian, The for economics and or a place to call home. call to place a or

installation, bringing the words to life. to words the bringing installation,

Foster, writer on politics, social affairs affairs social politics, on writer Foster, all the while without a country to belong to to belong to country a without while the all

Thebes’. We love it already. it love We Thebes’.

Gallery will host an exhibition and sound sound and exhibition an host will Gallery

Luke will be in conversation with Dawn Dawn with conversation in be will Luke Theatre and drinking wine with the Queen, Queen, the with wine drinking and Theatre

which she is calling ‘Honour Among Among ‘Honour calling is she which a book of the project, and Centrala Centrala and project, the of book a

Islam to performing at the National National the at performing to Islam

a humorous history of Ancient Greece Greece Ancient of history humorous a writing at University of Birmingham. Birmingham. of University at writing The University of Bucharest has published published has Bucharest of University The

story - from escaping fundamentalist fundamentalist escaping from - story

To introduce the book Natalie will present present will Natalie book the introduce To and writer of fiction. He teaches creative creative teaches He fiction. of writer and created another two poems in response. response. in poems two another created

Inua tells his fantastic, ridiculous, moving moving ridiculous, fantastic, his tells Inua

Luke is an award-winning poet, critic critic poet, award-winning an is Luke two poems, read each other’s work, and and work, other’s each read poems, two Observer finds it ‘vivid and affecting’. affecting’. and ‘vivid it finds Observer

and Romanian poets. Each poet submitted submitted poet Each poets. Romanian and by Islamists, the family leave for England. for leave family the Islamists, by

ancient story, with women to the fore, The The fore, the to women with story, ancient

success?

cultural collaboration between nine British British nine between collaboration cultural territory. When their home is burned down down burned is home their When territory.

A new telling of an an of telling new A Jocasta. of Children

What’s standing between you and and you between standing What’s

is a unique cross- unique a is poetryartexchange Christian mother in Nigeria’s Boko Haram Haram Boko Nigeria’s in mother Christian The The novel, second her in Sophocles on

“completely gripping”. “completely Ellams was born to a Muslim father and a a and father Muslim a to born was Ellams

writer, broadcaster and comedian, takes takes comedian, and broadcaster writer,

From Romania, with love with Romania, From

fierce, and very funny. Isy Suttie says it’s it’s says Suttie Isy funny. very and fierce,

Poet, playwright and performer Inua Inua performer and playwright Poet, Birmingham’s own Natalie Haynes, Haynes, Natalie own Birmingham’s

vision of the near future is both tender and and tender both is future near the of vision

an Immigrant an

Honour Among Thebes Thebes Among Honour

scheme for Generation Rent. Kennard’s Kennard’s Rent. Generation for scheme £8/£6.40 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival (concs.), £8/£6.40

join The Transition, a life-improvement life-improvement a Transition, The join

2-3.30pm thestudiobirmingham thestudiobirmingham 2-3.30pm with Evening An Haynes Natalie

In Luke Kennard’s brilliant dystopia you you dystopia brilliant Kennard’s Luke In

In partnership with Sampad with partnership In

Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival What do you do? do? you do What Menon. CG by foreword a with

(concs.) £10/£8 Birmingham You’re in debt, in trouble, facing eviction. eviction. facing trouble, in debt, in You’re Publishing and edited by Farhana Shaikh Shaikh Farhana by edited and Publishing

7.45-8.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of of Library Theatre, Studio 7.45-8.45pm

is published by Dahlia Dahlia by published is Lines Dividing £8/£6.40 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival (concs.), £8/£6.40

with Dawn Foster Dawn with

8-9.30pm thestudiobirmingham, thestudiobirmingham, 8-9.30pm

the digital age. digital the

broadcaster and journalist, Bidisha. journalist, and broadcaster

Luke Kennard Luke

conversation about how we connect in in connect we how about conversation stories, and then be in conversation with with conversation in be then and stories, write something, anything - do it”. do - anything something, write

This will be a lively and thoughtful thoughtful and lively a be will This and Ashok Patel - will read from their their from read will - Patel Ashok and one will care what you say. If you want to to want you If say. you what care will one

Betab, Farhana Khalique, Serena Patel Patel Serena Khalique, Farhana Betab, “Don’t believe it when people tell you no- you tell people when it believe “Don’t 4-5.30pm Secret Location £10/£8 (concs.) £10/£8 Location Secret 4-5.30pm

and blogger Emma Gannon. Emma blogger and

it better. it

Four of the shortlisted writers - Meera Meera - writers shortlisted the of Four

memoir of growing up online, by journalist journalist by online, up growing of memoir and be inspired. be and Literature Festival’s best kept secret! secret! kept best Festival’s Literature

gives us the possibility of understanding understanding of possibility the us gives

Festival Director Festival is the compelling compelling the is Delete Alt Control writer. emerging from Asian writers. Asian from emerging frank, funny and fearless as she is. Come Come is. she as fearless and funny frank, place. Book now to be in on Birmingham Birmingham on in be to now Book place.

be able to imagine someone else’s life life else’s someone imagine to able be

Davidson, Jonathan with the online presence of a Japanese Japanese a of presence online the with and recognise the very best new writing writing new best very the recognise and speaking truth to power and it’s exactly as as exactly it’s and power to truth speaking location shortly before the event takes takes event the before shortly location

To ever. than important more feels it,

story of a young woman’s obsession obsession woman’s young a of story Story Prize. The prize exists to discover discover to exists prize The Prize. Story is her guide to to guide her is Everywoman book new Her Audience members will be advised of the the of advised be will members Audience

festival pass details. pass festival

ways too. Making literature, and reading reading and literature, Making too. ways

is the the is Sympathy novel debut Olivia’s

by winners of The Asian Writer Short Short Writer Asian The of winners by an unexpected venue in the city centre. centre. city the in venue unexpected an

See overleaf for venues, programme and and programme venues, for overleaf See But this year feels significant in other other in significant feels year this But

human trafficking. trafficking. human

, an anthology of stories written written stories of anthology an , Lines Weatherill will present true life stories in in stories life true present will Weatherill

out of it. of out

domestic violence, sexual violence and and violence sexual violence, domestic

Join in and enjoy! and in Join

within this great city. great this within

Dividing Dividing launching be to delighted We’re Internationally renowned storyteller Cat Cat storyteller renowned Internationally

each written about a life lived more in than than in more lived life a about written each she worked in the city with victims of of victims with city the in worked she

including Romania, Poland and the USA. USA. the and Poland Romania, including

twenty years of sharing great writing writing great sharing of years twenty

the same age as the Internet and they’ve they’ve and Internet the as age same the boundaries and belonging and boundaries Birmingham Yardley in 2015. Before that that Before 2015. in Yardley Birmingham Secret Storytelling - live, in Birmingham. in live, - Storytelling Secret

Birmingham and further afield, afield, further and Birmingham

It’s a significant year for us, celebrating celebrating us, for year significant a It’s

Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic are both both are Sudjic Olivia and Gannon Emma Short stories on theme of borders, borders, of theme on stories Short Jess Phillips was elected MP for for MP elected was Phillips Jess Who needs Secret Cinema when you have have you when Cinema Secret needs Who

We welcome a host of writers from from writers of host a welcome We of the Birmingham Literature Festival. Festival. Literature Birmingham the of

canoes, beetles and book launches. launches. book and beetles canoes, Edition Spring the present to thrilled I’m with Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic Olivia and Gannon Emma with Secret Storytelling Secret Book Launch with Bidisha with Launch Book Everywoman

journey incorporating bicycles and and bicycles incorporating journey

Only Connect Connect Only old! decades two We’re

Jess Phillips MP Phillips Jess Lines Dividing The Spring Edition will take us on a a on us take will Edition Spring The Friday 21st April 21st Friday

Friday 21st April 21st Friday Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday Sunday 23rd April 23rd Sunday Welcome Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday

The 20th year of great writers, performers, Sunday 23rd April Sunday 23rd April thinkers and speakers in Birmingham. Beetle Queen Poetry Primers Launch Xan Brooks and with M.G.Leonard Poetry Primers is an exciting Sarah Phelps collaboration between The Poetry M. G. Leonard is a writer of books, poems Get the latest updates: School and Nine Arches Press, Xan Brooks is an award-winning writer, and screenplays. Beetle Boy, the story of spotlighting talented emerging poets and editor and broadcaster. His debut novel, a friendship between a boy and a beetle, supporting their development. This event The Clocks in This House All Tell Different @bhamlitfest was shortlisted for the Waterstones sees the launch of Primers Volume 2, a Times, is a dark social realist fairy tale set Children’s Book Prize, and longlisted collection showcasing work by Cynthia in the 1920s. Xan is one of The Observer’s Facebook.com/bhamlitfest for the Carnegie Greenaway Award and Miller (Birmingham), Ben Bransfield New Faces of Fiction 2017. Branford Boase Award. The sequel, Beetle (Shropshire) and Marvin Thompson Sarah Phelps is a screenwriter. Her dark www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Queen, featuring the villainous Lucretia (South Wales). and thrilling adaptations of the Agatha Cutter and her yellow ladybird spies, has Christie stories ‘And Then There Were Box Office: 0121 245 4455 just been published. Your MC for this special event with all three poets is Primers’ judge Jane None’ and ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ Join M.G.Leonard to hear more about the Commane. for BBC1 were widely acclaimed. books, and her infectious enthusiasm for Sarah and Xan will discuss their beetles. There will also be a very special 1-2.30pm Waterstones £3 fascination with the shadowy underside opportunity to examine the Carlier Beetle Festival Pass: FREE of England between the wars, and the Collection, one of best beetle collections dangers of historical nostalgia. in the country, developed by Birmingham Hidden Nature entomologist Stuart Carlier in the early 5.30-6.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of twentieth century, now held by the with Alys Fowler Birmingham £8/£6.40 (concs.), Birmingham Museums Trust. Alys Fowler’s memoir, Hidden Nature, Festival Pass: FREE “Truly great storytelling” - Michael charts two journeys - her exploration of Morpurgo the 100 miles of navigable canals around Lionel Shriver Birmingham by canoe, and her falling in Suggested age 7-11 love with a woman after years of marriage Festival Finale 11am-12.30pm Thinktank £6 for to a man. children (adults accompany for free) In her latest novel The Mandibles: It’s a beautiful and moving book, and a A Family, 2029-2047, Lionel Shriver unique guide to Birmingham’s hidden imagines America’s economic and social wilderness. collapse. A border wall is built between America and Mexico, but this one is built “The best maps are not published, are by Mexico to keep North Americans out. not accurate or even sensible, but are the Spring Edition maps we make ourselves about our cities, Unsettling and entertaining in equal our kith and kin.” measure, Lionel Shriver is the perfect guide to an America changing faster than Alys is an award-winning journalist and fiction can imagine. 21-23 APRIL 2017 passionate gardener, a regular presenter of BBC Gardeners’ World and Guardian “Plots set in the future are about what WRITERS BOOKS IDEAS columnist. people fear in the present. They’re not about the future at all”. 3.30-5pm Canalside £8/£6.40 (concs.) www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Festival Pass: FREE 7.30-8.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham £12/£9.60 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Sponsored by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

book your place) your book

Festival Pass: FREE FREE Pass: Festival

3-5pm Centrala FREE event (but please please (but event FREE Centrala 3-5pm

(concs.) £10/£8 Door the 6-7.30pm

Festival attendee October 2016 October attendee Festival

www.centrala-space.org.uk.

, is published by Nine Arches Press Arches Nine by published is , Hours

Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival - June 3rd until Centrala at

y.” y.” alread it to forward Looking year. next for there be definitely

fter fter A collection, poetry debut Inua’s

(concs.) £8/£6.40 (concs.) £8/£6.40 Gate Colmore 6-7.15pm exhibition will be be will exhibition poetryartexchange The

ll ll wi and to went I everything enjoyed I events. thought-provoking thestudiobirmingham, 4-5pm

– Metro – stage.” on keep

corporate culture. corporate The event will close with a drinks reception. drinks a with close will event The

such wonderfully generous company to to company generous wonderfully such

can’t be faced”. be can’t wonderful of days 10 wonderful a for you thank big “A , is on feminism, austerity and and austerity feminism, on is , Out Lean experience of taking part in the project. project. the in part taking of experience

deeply original beauty and he remains remains he and beauty original deeply

avoiding the ugliest truths because they they because truths ugliest the avoiding Literary Supplement. Her first book, book, first Her Supplement. Literary will read their poems and share their their share and poems their read will

“Ellams’ poetry gleams with a dusty, worn, worn, dusty, a with gleams poetry “Ellams’

is no security in not knowing things, in in things, knowing not in security no is Review of Books, Independent and Times Times and Independent Books, of Review In this special celebration five of the poets poets the of five celebration special this In

“When you have grown up as I have, there there have, I as up grown have you “When

and economics for The Guardian, London London Guardian, The for economics and or a place to call home. call to place a or

installation, bringing the words to life. to words the bringing installation,

Foster, writer on politics, social affairs affairs social politics, on writer Foster, all the while without a country to belong to to belong to country a without while the all

Thebes’. We love it already. it love We Thebes’.

Gallery will host an exhibition and sound sound and exhibition an host will Gallery

Luke will be in conversation with Dawn Dawn with conversation in be will Luke Theatre and drinking wine with the Queen, Queen, the with wine drinking and Theatre

which she is calling ‘Honour Among Among ‘Honour calling is she which a book of the project, and Centrala Centrala and project, the of book a

Islam to performing at the National National the at performing to Islam

a humorous history of Ancient Greece Greece Ancient of history humorous a writing at University of Birmingham. Birmingham. of University at writing The University of Bucharest has published published has Bucharest of University The

story - from escaping fundamentalist fundamentalist escaping from - story

To introduce the book Natalie will present present will Natalie book the introduce To and writer of fiction. He teaches creative creative teaches He fiction. of writer and created another two poems in response. response. in poems two another created

Inua tells his fantastic, ridiculous, moving moving ridiculous, fantastic, his tells Inua

Luke is an award-winning poet, critic critic poet, award-winning an is Luke two poems, read each other’s work, and and work, other’s each read poems, two Observer finds it ‘vivid and affecting’. affecting’. and ‘vivid it finds Observer

and Romanian poets. Each poet submitted submitted poet Each poets. Romanian and by Islamists, the family leave for England. for leave family the Islamists, by

ancient story, with women to the fore, The The fore, the to women with story, ancient

success?

cultural collaboration between nine British British nine between collaboration cultural territory. When their home is burned down down burned is home their When territory.

A new telling of an an of telling new A Jocasta. of Children

What’s standing between you and and you between standing What’s

is a unique cross- unique a is poetryartexchange Christian mother in Nigeria’s Boko Haram Haram Boko Nigeria’s in mother Christian The The novel, second her in Sophocles on

“completely gripping”. “completely Ellams was born to a Muslim father and a a and father Muslim a to born was Ellams

writer, broadcaster and comedian, takes takes comedian, and broadcaster writer,

From Romania, with love with Romania, From

fierce, and very funny. Isy Suttie says it’s it’s says Suttie Isy funny. very and fierce,

Poet, playwright and performer Inua Inua performer and playwright Poet, Birmingham’s own Natalie Haynes, Haynes, Natalie own Birmingham’s

vision of the near future is both tender and and tender both is future near the of vision

an Immigrant an

Honour Among Thebes Thebes Among Honour

scheme for Generation Rent. Kennard’s Kennard’s Rent. Generation for scheme £8/£6.40 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival (concs.), £8/£6.40

join The Transition, a life-improvement life-improvement a Transition, The join

2-3.30pm thestudiobirmingham thestudiobirmingham 2-3.30pm with Evening An Haynes Natalie

In Luke Kennard’s brilliant dystopia you you dystopia brilliant Kennard’s Luke In

In partnership with Sampad with partnership In

Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival What do you do? do? you do What Menon. CG by foreword a with

(concs.) £10/£8 Birmingham You’re in debt, in trouble, facing eviction. eviction. facing trouble, in debt, in You’re Publishing and edited by Farhana Shaikh Shaikh Farhana by edited and Publishing

7.45-8.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of of Library Theatre, Studio 7.45-8.45pm

£8/£6.40 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival (concs.), £8/£6.40 Dahlia by published is Lines Dividing

with Dawn Foster Dawn with

8-9.30pm thestudiobirmingham, thestudiobirmingham, 8-9.30pm

the digital age. digital the

broadcaster and journalist, Bidisha. journalist, and broadcaster

Luke Kennard Luke

conversation about how we connect in in connect we how about conversation write something, anything - do it”. do - anything something, write with conversation in be then and stories,

This will be a lively and thoughtful thoughtful and lively a be will This one will care what you say. If you want to to want you If say. you what care will one their from read will - Patel Ashok and

“Don’t believe it when people tell you no- you tell people when it believe “Don’t Patel Serena Khalique, Farhana Betab, 4-5.30pm Secret Location £10/£8 (concs.) £10/£8 Location Secret 4-5.30pm

and blogger Emma Gannon. Emma blogger and

it better. it

Four of the shortlisted writers - Meera Meera - writers shortlisted the of Four

memoir of growing up online, by journalist journalist by online, up growing of memoir and be inspired. be and Literature Festival’s best kept secret! secret! kept best Festival’s Literature

gives us the possibility of understanding understanding of possibility the us gives

Festival Director Festival is the compelling compelling the is Delete Alt Control writer. frank, funny and fearless as she is. Come Come is. she as fearless and funny frank, writers. Asian from emerging place. Book now to be in on Birmingham Birmingham on in be to now Book place.

be able to imagine someone else’s life life else’s someone imagine to able be

Davidson, Jonathan with the online presence of a Japanese Japanese a of presence online the with speaking truth to power and it’s exactly as as exactly it’s and power to truth speaking writing new best very the recognise and location shortly before the event takes takes event the before shortly location

To ever. than important more feels it,

story of a young woman’s obsession obsession woman’s young a of story is her guide to to guide her is Everywoman book new Her discover to exists prize The Prize. Story Audience members will be advised of the the of advised be will members Audience

festival pass details. pass festival

ways too. Making literature, and reading reading and literature, Making too. ways

is the the is Sympathy novel debut Olivia’s

by winners of The Asian Writer Short Short Writer Asian The of winners by an unexpected venue in the city centre. centre. city the in venue unexpected an

See overleaf for venues, programme and and programme venues, for overleaf See But this year feels significant in other other in significant feels year this But

human trafficking. trafficking. human

, an anthology of stories written written stories of anthology an , Lines Weatherill will present true life stories in in stories life true present will Weatherill

out of it. of out

domestic violence, sexual violence and and violence sexual violence, domestic

Join in and enjoy! and in Join

within this great city. great this within

Dividing Dividing launching be to delighted We’re Internationally renowned storyteller Cat Cat storyteller renowned Internationally

each written about a life lived more in than than in more lived life a about written each she worked in the city with victims of of victims with city the in worked she

including Romania, Poland and the USA. USA. the and Poland Romania, including

twenty years of sharing great writing writing great sharing of years twenty

the same age as the Internet and they’ve they’ve and Internet the as age same the Birmingham Yardley in 2015. Before that that Before 2015. in Yardley Birmingham belonging and boundaries Secret Storytelling - live, in Birmingham. in live, - Storytelling Secret

Birmingham and further afield, afield, further and Birmingham

It’s a significant year for us, celebrating celebrating us, for year significant a It’s

Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic are both both are Sudjic Olivia and Gannon Emma Jess Phillips was elected MP for for MP elected was Phillips Jess borders, of theme on stories Short Who needs Secret Cinema when you have have you when Cinema Secret needs Who

We welcome a host of writers from from writers of host a welcome We of the Birmingham Literature Festival. Festival. Literature Birmingham the of

canoes, beetles and book launches. launches. book and beetles canoes, Edition Spring the present to thrilled I’m with Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic Olivia and Gannon Emma with Secret Storytelling Secret Everywoman Bidisha with Launch Book

journey incorporating bicycles and and bicycles incorporating journey

Jess Phillips MP Phillips Jess Lines Dividing Connect Only old! decades two We’re The Spring Edition will take us on a a on us take will Edition Spring The Friday 21st April 21st Friday

Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday April 21st Friday Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday April 23rd Sunday Welcome

The 20th year of great writers, performers, Sunday 23rd April Sunday 23rd April thinkers and speakers in Birmingham. Beetle Queen Poetry Primers Launch Xan Brooks and with M.G.Leonard Poetry Primers is an exciting Sarah Phelps collaboration between The Poetry M. G. Leonard is a writer of books, poems Get the latest updates: School and Nine Arches Press, Xan Brooks is an award-winning writer, and screenplays. Beetle Boy, the story of spotlighting talented emerging poets and editor and broadcaster. His debut novel, a friendship between a boy and a beetle, supporting their development. This event The Clocks in This House All Tell Different @bhamlitfest was shortlisted for the Waterstones sees the launch of Primers Volume 2, a Times, is a dark social realist fairy tale set Children’s Book Prize, and longlisted collection showcasing work by Cynthia in the 1920s. Xan is one of The Observer’s Facebook.com/bhamlitfest for the Carnegie Greenaway Award and Miller (Birmingham), Ben Bransfield New Faces of Fiction 2017. Branford Boase Award. The sequel, Beetle (Shropshire) and Marvin Thompson Sarah Phelps is a screenwriter. Her dark www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Queen, featuring the villainous Lucretia (South Wales). and thrilling adaptations of the Agatha Cutter and her yellow ladybird spies, has Christie stories ‘And Then There Were Box Office: 0121 245 4455 just been published. Your MC for this special event with all three poets is Primers’ judge Jane None’ and ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ Join M.G.Leonard to hear more about the Commane. for BBC1 were widely acclaimed. books, and her infectious enthusiasm for Sarah and Xan will discuss their beetles. There will also be a very special 1-2.30pm Waterstones £3 fascination with the shadowy underside opportunity to examine the Carlier Beetle Festival Pass: FREE of England between the wars, and the Collection, one of best beetle collections dangers of historical nostalgia. in the country, developed by Birmingham Hidden Nature entomologist Stuart Carlier in the early 5.30-6.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of twentieth century, now held by the with Alys Fowler Birmingham £8/£6.40 (concs.), Birmingham Museums Trust. Alys Fowler’s memoir, Hidden Nature, Festival Pass: FREE “Truly great storytelling” - Michael charts two journeys - her exploration of Morpurgo the 100 miles of navigable canals around Lionel Shriver Birmingham by canoe, and her falling in Suggested age 7-11 love with a woman after years of marriage Festival Finale 11am-12.30pm Thinktank £6 for to a man. children (adults accompany for free) In her latest novel The Mandibles: It’s a beautiful and moving book, and a A Family, 2029-2047, Lionel Shriver unique guide to Birmingham’s hidden imagines America’s economic and social wilderness. collapse. A border wall is built between America and Mexico, but this one is built “The best maps are not published, are by Mexico to keep North Americans out. not accurate or even sensible, but are the Spring Edition maps we make ourselves about our cities, Unsettling and entertaining in equal our kith and kin.” measure, Lionel Shriver is the perfect guide to an America changing faster than Alys is an award-winning journalist and fiction can imagine. 21-23 APRIL 2017 passionate gardener, a regular presenter of BBC Gardeners’ World and Guardian “Plots set in the future are about what WRITERS BOOKS IDEAS columnist. people fear in the present. They’re not about the future at all”. 3.30-5pm Canalside £8/£6.40 (concs.) www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Festival Pass: FREE 7.30-8.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham £12/£9.60 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Sponsored by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

book your place) your book

Festival Pass: FREE FREE Pass: Festival

3-5pm Centrala FREE event (but please please (but event FREE Centrala 3-5pm

(concs.) £10/£8 Door the 6-7.30pm

Festival attendee October 2016 October attendee Festival

www.centrala-space.org.uk.

, is published by Nine Arches Press Arches Nine by published is , Hours

Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival - June 3rd until Centrala at

y.” y.” alread it to forward Looking year. next for there be definitely

fter fter A collection, poetry debut Inua’s

(concs.) £8/£6.40 (concs.) £8/£6.40 Gate Colmore 6-7.15pm exhibition will be be will exhibition poetryartexchange The

ll ll wi and to went I everything enjoyed I events. thought-provoking thestudiobirmingham, 4-5pm

– Metro – stage.” on keep

corporate culture. corporate The event will close with a drinks reception. drinks a with close will event The

such wonderfully generous company to to company generous wonderfully such

can’t be faced”. be can’t wonderful of days 10 wonderful a for you thank big “A , is on feminism, austerity and and austerity feminism, on is , Out Lean experience of taking part in the project. project. the in part taking of experience

deeply original beauty and he remains remains he and beauty original deeply

avoiding the ugliest truths because they they because truths ugliest the avoiding Literary Supplement. Her first book, book, first Her Supplement. Literary will read their poems and share their their share and poems their read will

“Ellams’ poetry gleams with a dusty, worn, worn, dusty, a with gleams poetry “Ellams’

is no security in not knowing things, in in things, knowing not in security no is Review of Books, Independent and Times Times and Independent Books, of Review In this special celebration five of the poets poets the of five celebration special this In

“When you have grown up as I have, there there have, I as up grown have you “When

and economics for The Guardian, London London Guardian, The for economics and or a place to call home. call to place a or

installation, bringing the words to life. to words the bringing installation,

Foster, writer on politics, social affairs affairs social politics, on writer Foster, all the while without a country to belong to to belong to country a without while the all

Thebes’. We love it already. it love We Thebes’.

Gallery will host an exhibition and sound sound and exhibition an host will Gallery

Luke will be in conversation with Dawn Dawn with conversation in be will Luke Theatre and drinking wine with the Queen, Queen, the with wine drinking and Theatre

which she is calling ‘Honour Among Among ‘Honour calling is she which a book of the project, and Centrala Centrala and project, the of book a

Islam to performing at the National National the at performing to Islam

a humorous history of Ancient Greece Greece Ancient of history humorous a writing at University of Birmingham. Birmingham. of University at writing The University of Bucharest has published published has Bucharest of University The

story - from escaping fundamentalist fundamentalist escaping from - story

To introduce the book Natalie will present present will Natalie book the introduce To and writer of fiction. He teaches creative creative teaches He fiction. of writer and created another two poems in response. response. in poems two another created

Inua tells his fantastic, ridiculous, moving moving ridiculous, fantastic, his tells Inua

Luke is an award-winning poet, critic critic poet, award-winning an is Luke two poems, read each other’s work, and and work, other’s each read poems, two Observer finds it ‘vivid and affecting’. affecting’. and ‘vivid it finds Observer

and Romanian poets. Each poet submitted submitted poet Each poets. Romanian and by Islamists, the family leave for England. for leave family the Islamists, by

ancient story, with women to the fore, The The fore, the to women with story, ancient

success?

cultural collaboration between nine British British nine between collaboration cultural territory. When their home is burned down down burned is home their When territory.

A new telling of an an of telling new A Jocasta. of Children

What’s standing between you and and you between standing What’s

is a unique cross- unique a is poetryartexchange Christian mother in Nigeria’s Boko Haram Haram Boko Nigeria’s in mother Christian The The novel, second her in Sophocles on

“completely gripping”. “completely Ellams was born to a Muslim father and a a and father Muslim a to born was Ellams

writer, broadcaster and comedian, takes takes comedian, and broadcaster writer,

From Romania, with love with Romania, From

fierce, and very funny. Isy Suttie says it’s it’s says Suttie Isy funny. very and fierce,

Poet, playwright and performer Inua Inua performer and playwright Poet, Birmingham’s own Natalie Haynes, Haynes, Natalie own Birmingham’s

vision of the near future is both tender and and tender both is future near the of vision

an Immigrant an

Honour Among Thebes Thebes Among Honour

scheme for Generation Rent. Kennard’s Kennard’s Rent. Generation for scheme £8/£6.40 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival (concs.), £8/£6.40

join The Transition, a life-improvement life-improvement a Transition, The join

2-3.30pm thestudiobirmingham thestudiobirmingham 2-3.30pm with Evening An Haynes Natalie

In Luke Kennard’s brilliant dystopia you you dystopia brilliant Kennard’s Luke In

In partnership with Sampad with partnership In

Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival What do you do? do? you do What Menon. CG by foreword a with

(concs.) £10/£8 Birmingham You’re in debt, in trouble, facing eviction. eviction. facing trouble, in debt, in You’re Publishing and edited by Farhana Shaikh Shaikh Farhana by edited and Publishing

7.45-8.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of of Library Theatre, Studio 7.45-8.45pm

£8/£6.40 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Pass: Festival (concs.), £8/£6.40 Dahlia by published is Lines Dividing

with Dawn Foster Dawn with

8-9.30pm thestudiobirmingham, thestudiobirmingham, 8-9.30pm

the digital age. digital the

broadcaster and journalist, Bidisha. journalist, and broadcaster

Luke Kennard Luke

conversation about how we connect in in connect we how about conversation write something, anything - do it”. do - anything something, write with conversation in be then and stories,

This will be a lively and thoughtful thoughtful and lively a be will This one will care what you say. If you want to to want you If say. you what care will one their from read will - Patel Ashok and

“Don’t believe it when people tell you no- you tell people when it believe “Don’t Patel Serena Khalique, Farhana Betab, 4-5.30pm Secret Location £10/£8 (concs.) £10/£8 Location Secret 4-5.30pm

and blogger Emma Gannon. Emma blogger and

it better. it

Four of the shortlisted writers - Meera Meera - writers shortlisted the of Four

memoir of growing up online, by journalist journalist by online, up growing of memoir and be inspired. be and Literature Festival’s best kept secret! secret! kept best Festival’s Literature

gives us the possibility of understanding understanding of possibility the us gives

Festival Director Festival is the compelling compelling the is Delete Alt Control writer. frank, funny and fearless as she is. Come Come is. she as fearless and funny frank, writers. Asian from emerging place. Book now to be in on Birmingham Birmingham on in be to now Book place.

be able to imagine someone else’s life life else’s someone imagine to able be

Davidson, Jonathan with the online presence of a Japanese Japanese a of presence online the with speaking truth to power and it’s exactly as as exactly it’s and power to truth speaking writing new best very the recognise and location shortly before the event takes takes event the before shortly location

To ever. than important more feels it,

story of a young woman’s obsession obsession woman’s young a of story is her guide to to guide her is Everywoman book new Her discover to exists prize The Prize. Story Audience members will be advised of the the of advised be will members Audience

festival pass details. pass festival

ways too. Making literature, and reading reading and literature, Making too. ways

is the the is Sympathy novel debut Olivia’s

by winners of The Asian Writer Short Short Writer Asian The of winners by an unexpected venue in the city centre. centre. city the in venue unexpected an

See overleaf for venues, programme and and programme venues, for overleaf See But this year feels significant in other other in significant feels year this But

human trafficking. trafficking. human

, an anthology of stories written written stories of anthology an , Lines Weatherill will present true life stories in in stories life true present will Weatherill

out of it. of out

domestic violence, sexual violence and and violence sexual violence, domestic

Join in and enjoy! and in Join

within this great city. great this within

Dividing Dividing launching be to delighted We’re Internationally renowned storyteller Cat Cat storyteller renowned Internationally

each written about a life lived more in than than in more lived life a about written each she worked in the city with victims of of victims with city the in worked she

including Romania, Poland and the USA. USA. the and Poland Romania, including

twenty years of sharing great writing writing great sharing of years twenty

the same age as the Internet and they’ve they’ve and Internet the as age same the Birmingham Yardley in 2015. Before that that Before 2015. in Yardley Birmingham belonging and boundaries Secret Storytelling - live, in Birmingham. in live, - Storytelling Secret

Birmingham and further afield, afield, further and Birmingham

It’s a significant year for us, celebrating celebrating us, for year significant a It’s

Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic are both both are Sudjic Olivia and Gannon Emma Jess Phillips was elected MP for for MP elected was Phillips Jess borders, of theme on stories Short Who needs Secret Cinema when you have have you when Cinema Secret needs Who

We welcome a host of writers from from writers of host a welcome We of the Birmingham Literature Festival. Festival. Literature Birmingham the of

canoes, beetles and book launches. launches. book and beetles canoes, Edition Spring the present to thrilled I’m with Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic Olivia and Gannon Emma with Secret Storytelling Secret Everywoman Bidisha with Launch Book

journey incorporating bicycles and and bicycles incorporating journey

Jess Phillips MP Phillips Jess Lines Dividing Connect Only old! decades two We’re The Spring Edition will take us on a a on us take will Edition Spring The Friday 21st April 21st Friday

Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday April 21st Friday Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday April 23rd Sunday Welcome

The 20th year of great writers, performers, Sunday 23rd April Sunday 23rd April thinkers and speakers in Birmingham. Beetle Queen Poetry Primers Launch Xan Brooks and with M.G.Leonard Poetry Primers is an exciting Sarah Phelps collaboration between The Poetry M. G. Leonard is a writer of books, poems Get the latest updates: School and Nine Arches Press, Xan Brooks is an award-winning writer, and screenplays. Beetle Boy, the story of spotlighting talented emerging poets and editor and broadcaster. His debut novel, a friendship between a boy and a beetle, supporting their development. This event The Clocks in This House All Tell Different @bhamlitfest was shortlisted for the Waterstones sees the launch of Primers Volume 2, a Times, is a dark social realist fairy tale set Children’s Book Prize, and longlisted collection showcasing work by Cynthia in the 1920s. Xan is one of The Observer’s Facebook.com/bhamlitfest for the Carnegie Greenaway Award and Miller (Birmingham), Ben Bransfield New Faces of Fiction 2017. Branford Boase Award. The sequel, Beetle (Shropshire) and Marvin Thompson Sarah Phelps is a screenwriter. Her dark www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Queen, featuring the villainous Lucretia (South Wales). and thrilling adaptations of the Agatha Cutter and her yellow ladybird spies, has Christie stories ‘And Then There Were Box Office: 0121 245 4455 just been published. Your MC for this special event with all three poets is Primers’ judge Jane None’ and ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ Join M.G.Leonard to hear more about the Commane. for BBC1 were widely acclaimed. books, and her infectious enthusiasm for Sarah and Xan will discuss their beetles. There will also be a very special 1-2.30pm Waterstones £3 fascination with the shadowy underside opportunity to examine the Carlier Beetle Festival Pass: FREE of England between the wars, and the Collection, one of best beetle collections dangers of historical nostalgia. in the country, developed by Birmingham Hidden Nature entomologist Stuart Carlier in the early 5.30-6.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of twentieth century, now held by the with Alys Fowler Birmingham £8/£6.40 (concs.), Birmingham Museums Trust. Alys Fowler’s memoir, Hidden Nature, Festival Pass: FREE “Truly great storytelling” - Michael charts two journeys - her exploration of Morpurgo the 100 miles of navigable canals around Lionel Shriver Birmingham by canoe, and her falling in Suggested age 7-11 love with a woman after years of marriage Festival Finale 11am-12.30pm Thinktank £6 for to a man. children (adults accompany for free) In her latest novel The Mandibles: It’s a beautiful and moving book, and a A Family, 2029-2047, Lionel Shriver unique guide to Birmingham’s hidden imagines America’s economic and social wilderness. collapse. A border wall is built between America and Mexico, but this one is built “The best maps are not published, are by Mexico to keep North Americans out. not accurate or even sensible, but are the Spring Edition maps we make ourselves about our cities, Unsettling and entertaining in equal our kith and kin.” measure, Lionel Shriver is the perfect guide to an America changing faster than Alys is an award-winning journalist and fiction can imagine. 21-23 APRIL 2017 passionate gardener, a regular presenter of BBC Gardeners’ World and Guardian “Plots set in the future are about what WRITERS BOOKS IDEAS columnist. people fear in the present. They’re not about the future at all”. 3.30-5pm Canalside £8/£6.40 (concs.) www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Festival Pass: FREE 7.30-8.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham £12/£9.60 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Sponsored by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

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Jess Phillips MP Phillips Jess Lines Dividing Connect Only old! decades two We’re The Spring Edition will take us on a a on us take will Edition Spring The Friday 21st April 21st Friday

Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday April 21st Friday Saturday 22nd April 22nd Saturday April 23rd Sunday Welcome

The 20th year of great writers, performers, Sunday 23rd April Sunday 23rd April thinkers and speakers in Birmingham. Beetle Queen Poetry Primers Launch Xan Brooks and with M.G.Leonard Poetry Primers is an exciting Sarah Phelps collaboration between The Poetry M. G. Leonard is a writer of books, poems Get the latest updates: School and Nine Arches Press, Xan Brooks is an award-winning writer, and screenplays. Beetle Boy, the story of spotlighting talented emerging poets and editor and broadcaster. His debut novel, a friendship between a boy and a beetle, supporting their development. This event The Clocks in This House All Tell Different @bhamlitfest was shortlisted for the Waterstones sees the launch of Primers Volume 2, a Times, is a dark social realist fairy tale set Children’s Book Prize, and longlisted collection showcasing work by Cynthia in the 1920s. Xan is one of The Observer’s Facebook.com/bhamlitfest for the Carnegie Greenaway Award and Miller (Birmingham), Ben Bransfield New Faces of Fiction 2017. Branford Boase Award. The sequel, Beetle (Shropshire) and Marvin Thompson Sarah Phelps is a screenwriter. Her dark www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Queen, featuring the villainous Lucretia (South Wales). and thrilling adaptations of the Agatha Cutter and her yellow ladybird spies, has Christie stories ‘And Then There Were Box Office: 0121 245 4455 just been published. Your MC for this special event with all three poets is Primers’ judge Jane None’ and ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ Join M.G.Leonard to hear more about the Commane. for BBC1 were widely acclaimed. books, and her infectious enthusiasm for Sarah and Xan will discuss their beetles. There will also be a very special 1-2.30pm Waterstones £3 fascination with the shadowy underside opportunity to examine the Carlier Beetle Festival Pass: FREE of England between the wars, and the Collection, one of best beetle collections dangers of historical nostalgia. in the country, developed by Birmingham Hidden Nature entomologist Stuart Carlier in the early 5.30-6.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of twentieth century, now held by the with Alys Fowler Birmingham £8/£6.40 (concs.), Birmingham Museums Trust. Alys Fowler’s memoir, Hidden Nature, Festival Pass: FREE “Truly great storytelling” - Michael charts two journeys - her exploration of Morpurgo the 100 miles of navigable canals around Lionel Shriver Birmingham by canoe, and her falling in Suggested age 7-11 love with a woman after years of marriage Festival Finale 11am-12.30pm Thinktank £6 for to a man. children (adults accompany for free) In her latest novel The Mandibles: It’s a beautiful and moving book, and a A Family, 2029-2047, Lionel Shriver unique guide to Birmingham’s hidden imagines America’s economic and social wilderness. collapse. A border wall is built between America and Mexico, but this one is built “The best maps are not published, are by Mexico to keep North Americans out. not accurate or even sensible, but are the Spring Edition maps we make ourselves about our cities, Unsettling and entertaining in equal our kith and kin.” measure, Lionel Shriver is the perfect guide to an America changing faster than Alys is an award-winning journalist and fiction can imagine. 21-23 APRIL 2017 passionate gardener, a regular presenter of BBC Gardeners’ World and Guardian “Plots set in the future are about what WRITERS BOOKS IDEAS columnist. people fear in the present. They’re not about the future at all”. 3.30-5pm Canalside £8/£6.40 (concs.) www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Festival Pass: FREE 7.30-8.45pm Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham £12/£9.60 (concs.), Festival Pass: FREE Sponsored by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Workshops and Family Events Workshops Booking Programme Schedule Event Title Start Time Finish Time Venue Friday 21st April Friday 21 April To book tickets and passes for Roundhouse Rendezvous: Walking with Mandy Ross 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Viviane Schwarz- Festival Pass Viviane Schwarz- Illustration Event 14:00 15:30 Centrala any of these events, go to Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse Illustration Workshop www.birminghamliteraturefestival. Walking with Kurly McGeachie Buy a Festival Pass to access all ten of our Secret Storytelling 16:00 17:30 Secret Location Join acclaimed picture book creator org/events Birmingham Literature Festival main events! The Transition with Luke Kennard and Dawn Foster 18:00 19:15 Colmore Gate Viviane Schwarz for an adventure with or call the Box Office Only Connect with Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic 19:45 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham the star of her new book, Henry Finch For just £50*, the Festival Pass gets you Saturday 22 April - the bird who strives for greatness, on 0121 245 4455 into all 10 of the festival’s headline events. Silent Reading and Mindful Writing Workshop 10:00 13:00 Birmingham Buddhist Centre gets it all very wrong, then puts it right Your pass also entitles you to 20% off all Aleksandra Cieslak Family Illustration Workshop 11:00 12:30 Centrala in the most surprising way. I am Henry Concessions are available for: books at the Festival plus café discounts. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Cycling with Matt Black 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Finch - groundbreaking philosophy in Dividing Lines with Bidisha 14:00 15:30 thestudiobirmingham A portion of the price of the Festival Pass picture-book format - was crowned the those with disabilities, those in Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse will also go towards programming great most radical children’s book of the year in Cycling with Kurly McGeachie full time education, in receipt of a events for next year’s festival, helping to 2016. “Ideal for inquisitive kids”, says The Honour Among Thebes with Natalie Haynes 16:00 17:00 thestudiobirmingham secure its future. From Romania with Love 15:00 17:00 Centrala Times. pension and trade union members. An Evening with an Immigrant 18:00 19:30 The Door *£40 concessions. This is a special opportunity to hear Viv Group rates are also available Everywoman with Jess Phillips MP 20:00 21:30 thestudiobirmingham talk about her work and then get her help via the Box Office, for groups Ts & Cs at Sunday 23 April to create your own picture book art. For of 10 or more for larger events. www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Beetle Queen with M.G.Leonard 11:00 12:30 Thinktank all budding artists, writers, thinkers and or speak to the Box Office on 0121 245 4455 How to Write a Poetry App Workshop 13.00 14:30 Canalside dreamers. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Alys Fowler 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Poetry Primers Launch 13:00 14:30 Waterstones Recommended age 6+ Saturday 22nd April Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Jo Bell 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse 2-3.30pm Centrala £6 for children Saturday 22nd April Saturday 22nd April Hidden Nature with Alys Fowler 15:30 17:00 Canalside (adults accompany for free) Illustration Workshop Xan Brooks and Sarah Phelps 17:30 18:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham Silent Reading and How to Write a Poetry App Festival Finale with Lionel Shriver 19:30 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham with Aleksandra Cie´slak Mindful Writing Jeff Phelps turned his poem ‘River This workshop is led by leading Passage’ into an app – come and find out Time to sit back, relax and reflect in the Polish illustrator, Aleksandra Cieślak. how he did it, and learn how to make your peaceful environment of Birmingham Become a friend of Writing West Midlands It’s all about using creative ways to own poetry app. Buddhist Centre. Bring a book to read in communicate without words, and is Join us by becoming a Friend and help us develop writers of all ages across silence to ease yourself into the morning, Jeff Phelps and producer William based on Aleksandra’s latest book, the region. You will also get special discounts at our events and workshops, then after a short break, Charlie Jordan Gallagher will discuss the lessons learned This is a Book to Make, winner of a including a discount on the Festival Pass and for our National Writers’ Conference. will lead a Mindfulness Writing workshop. and the opportunities discovered in the BolognaRagazzi award at the Bologna making of River Passage for iPhone. For as little as £3 a month (or an annual payment of £30), you can make a real Children’s Book Fair 2017. Using a This workshop is a chance to press the This is a workshop for writers interested contribution to creative writing and literature activities in the West Midlands. mix of materials, young people will test pause button and refresh your writing in developing their work digitally and Join online www.writingwestmidlands.org or via The BOX. if it’s possible to express themselves practice. Learn how to calm your inner reaching new audiences. and communicate with each other by critic, move writers’ block out of the way The benefits of becoming aFriend include: gesture, lines and marks. The work they and relax into your creative flow. Discover The workshop will close with a live 10% off tickets for events, including at the 10% off total bill atMarmalade at the Rep create will be exhibited as a collage at how mindfulness techniques can become performance of River Passage with music Birmingham Literature Festival Centrala Gallery. part of your everyday life and help you from Dan Phelps. 10% off atLibrary of Birmingham Café 20% off books at our events 3 for 2 on all whisky masterclasses at enjoy the writing process again. Suitable 1-2.30pm Canalside £10/£8 (concs.) Suitable for ages 7+ Exclusive quarterly newsletter Hard to Find Whisky for writers of all disciplines, and for Ticket includes free download of the 11am-12.30pm Centrala £6 for children 15% off any full price purchases at beginners as well as established writers. River Passage app for iPhone. 25% offNine Arches Press books (adults accompany for free) Foyles, Grand Central. 2 for 1 offer on tickets to theRSC 10am-1pm Birmingham Buddhist 10% off any full price purchases at viewing tower Centre £15/£12 (concs.) Waterstones Birmingham

Workshops Workshops Venues With thanks

Walk-Write Roundhouse Writers The full addresses of our event locations are: With thanks to our funders and partners Friday 21 April Mandy Ross writes books for children Take a towpath tour along to the Jewellery and adults, as well as plays and poetry. Arts Council England, Festivals Birmingham, Library of Birmingham, Birmingham Rep, Quarter, stopping to explore hidden gems She is artistic co-director of Secret City Roundhouse 101 St Vincent St, Birmingham B16 8EB Waterstones Birmingham, Big Birmingham Bikes, British Canoeing, B-ROW, Canal & of the canalside, and wander back to Arts which works with community groups River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Roundhouse, Colmore Gate, Centrala Gallery, The Roundhouse for a writing workshop to bring to life the hidden histories of Centrala Unit 4 Minerva Works,158 Fazeley Street, B5 5RT Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Nine Arches Press, The Poetry School, Thinktank, led by Mandy Ross (10am-1pm) or Kurly Birmingham and beyond. Canalside, thestudiobirmingham, and to all the writers and publishers. McGeachie (2pm-5pm). Secret Location – To Be Revealed Kurly McGeachie is a performance Festival Sponsor Cycle-Write poet and rapper, in high demand across Colmore Gate 6 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QX the city for his writing and performing Saturday 22 April workshops. He is a Birmingham Poet Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham Cycle towards Perrot’s Folly, regarded Laureate finalist. by Tolkien fans as a key inspiration for Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2ND his work, returning to The Roundhouse Matt Black lives in Leamington Spa. for a writing workshop led by Matt Black He writes poems for adults and children Birmingham Buddhist Centre 11 Park Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8AB and has worked for 20 years as a writer (10am-1pm) or Kurly McGeachie (2pm- The Door Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP 5pm). Bikes, helmets and ride leaders in schools and the community. He is Festival Friends, Supporters & Benefactors supplied free from Big Birmingham Bikes. currently working on a long poem about Yasmin Ali Narinder Dhami Rachel Hursey Sarah Mullen extreme weather commissioned by the thestudiobirmingham 7 Cannon St, Birmingham B2 5EP You can bring your own bike if you wish, Emma Austin-Jones Ann Dolan Liz Hyder Marjorie Neilson which will be checked for roadworthiness. University of Nottingham. Thinktank Millennium Point, Curzon St, Birmingham B4 7XG Kathryn Azarpay Edward Dunphy Fiona Joseph Gareth Pert Canoe-Write Jo Bell is a former Canal Poet Laureate Matt Black Jenny Durston Frances Kennedy Karen Pincher and currently appears on Nationwide’s Waterstones 24-26 High St, Birmingham B4 7SL Sarah Bookey Lorraine Francis Ian Kennedy Verity Relves Roundhouse Rendezvous Sunday 23 April ‘Voice of the People’ ads. Her poetry Lorraine Boyce Danielle Fuller Abda Khan Martin Sketchley Need some inspiration to get writing? Take to the waterways of Birmingham by collection Kith is published by Nine Canalside 196 Wharfside St, Birmingham B1 1RN Anne Cockitt William Gallagher Nadia Kingsley Jeanette Sheppard Want to explore hidden Birmingham? canoe for a unique perspective on the Arches Press. She is co-writing a handbook for poets - How to be a Poet - Jane Commane Anna & Rob Ganley Sarah Leavesley Philip Monks & Jenny Look no further than our series of city, returning to dry land for a writing and lives on a narrowboat. Stephens creative walks, bike rides and canoe trips workshop at The Roundhouse led by Alys Carolyn Cook Lisa Godsal Neil Lockwood Peter Wakefield developed in partnership with the Canal Fowler (10am-1pm) or Jo Bell (2pm-5pm). Lindsay Davis Jacqueline Grant Amos Mallard Alys Fowler is an award-winning & River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Workshops for young people at both journalist, regular presenter of BBC Kit De Waal Andrew Hollyhead Paul McDonald Roundhouse, British Canoeing and Big sessions will be led by Garrie Fletcher. Gardeners’ World and Guardian Birmingham Bikes, and delivered by five Canoes and instruction supplied free of columnist. Her new book Hidden Nature fantastic writers. charge from British Canoeing and B-ROW. charts her journey through the canals of First head out on foot, by bike or in Please dress comfortably: we advise Birmingham by canoe. a canoe, then use your adventure to that you don’t wear jeans, you do wear Birmingham Literature Festival is a project of Writing West Midlands. help you write. Each activity will last for trainers, bring a waterproof coat and Garrie Fletcher writes short stories, trousers, and a complete change of Writing West Midlands is the literature development agency for the region. around an hour and the workshops for novels and poems. His collection of short Charity no. 1147710. Supported by Arts Council England. approximately an hour and a half. clothes. The canoes have a weight stories, Night Swimming, has just been www.writingwestmidlands.org. restriction of 17.5 stone. published by Mantle Lane Press. He leads Drinks are provided free of charge but Prices are £20/£16 (concs.) and £10 the Birmingham Young Writers’ Group for Events are suitable for adults and children 14+ unless otherwise stated. please bring a snack to sustain you. for those aged 16 and under Writing West Midlands. Suitable for adults and children aged 8 and over. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Workshops and Family Events Workshops Booking Programme Schedule Event Title Start Time Finish Time Venue Friday 21st April Friday 21 April To book tickets and passes for Roundhouse Rendezvous: Walking with Mandy Ross 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Viviane Schwarz- Festival Pass Viviane Schwarz- Illustration Event 14:00 15:30 Centrala any of these events, go to Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse Illustration Workshop www.birminghamliteraturefestival. Walking with Kurly McGeachie Buy a Festival Pass to access all ten of our Secret Storytelling 16:00 17:30 Secret Location Join acclaimed picture book creator org/events Birmingham Literature Festival main events! The Transition with Luke Kennard and Dawn Foster 18:00 19:15 Colmore Gate Viviane Schwarz for an adventure with or call the Box Office Only Connect with Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic 19:45 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham the star of her new book, Henry Finch For just £50*, the Festival Pass gets you Saturday 22 April - the bird who strives for greatness, on 0121 245 4455 into all 10 of the festival’s headline events. Silent Reading and Mindful Writing Workshop 10:00 13:00 Birmingham Buddhist Centre gets it all very wrong, then puts it right Your pass also entitles you to 20% off all Aleksandra Cieslak Family Illustration Workshop 11:00 12:30 Centrala in the most surprising way. I am Henry Concessions are available for: books at the Festival plus café discounts. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Cycling with Matt Black 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Finch - groundbreaking philosophy in Dividing Lines with Bidisha 14:00 15:30 thestudiobirmingham A portion of the price of the Festival Pass picture-book format - was crowned the those with disabilities, those in Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse will also go towards programming great most radical children’s book of the year in Cycling with Kurly McGeachie full time education, in receipt of a events for next year’s festival, helping to 2016. “Ideal for inquisitive kids”, says The Honour Among Thebes with Natalie Haynes 16:00 17:00 thestudiobirmingham secure its future. From Romania with Love 15:00 17:00 Centrala Times. pension and trade union members. An Evening with an Immigrant 18:00 19:30 The Door *£40 concessions. This is a special opportunity to hear Viv Group rates are also available Everywoman with Jess Phillips MP 20:00 21:30 thestudiobirmingham talk about her work and then get her help via the Box Office, for groups Ts & Cs at Sunday 23 April to create your own picture book art. For of 10 or more for larger events. www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Beetle Queen with M.G.Leonard 11:00 12:30 Thinktank all budding artists, writers, thinkers and or speak to the Box Office on 0121 245 4455 How to Write a Poetry App Workshop 13.00 14:30 Canalside dreamers. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Alys Fowler 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Poetry Primers Launch 13:00 14:30 Waterstones Recommended age 6+ Saturday 22nd April Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Jo Bell 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse 2-3.30pm Centrala £6 for children Saturday 22nd April Saturday 22nd April Hidden Nature with Alys Fowler 15:30 17:00 Canalside (adults accompany for free) Illustration Workshop Xan Brooks and Sarah Phelps 17:30 18:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham Silent Reading and How to Write a Poetry App Festival Finale with Lionel Shriver 19:30 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham with Aleksandra Cie´slak Mindful Writing Jeff Phelps turned his poem ‘River This workshop is led by leading Passage’ into an app – come and find out Time to sit back, relax and reflect in the Polish illustrator, Aleksandra Cieślak. how he did it, and learn how to make your peaceful environment of Birmingham Become a friend of Writing West Midlands It’s all about using creative ways to own poetry app. Buddhist Centre. Bring a book to read in communicate without words, and is Join us by becoming a Friend and help us develop writers of all ages across silence to ease yourself into the morning, Jeff Phelps and producer William based on Aleksandra’s latest book, the region. You will also get special discounts at our events and workshops, then after a short break, Charlie Jordan Gallagher will discuss the lessons learned This is a Book to Make, winner of a including a discount on the Festival Pass and for our National Writers’ Conference. will lead a Mindfulness Writing workshop. and the opportunities discovered in the BolognaRagazzi award at the Bologna making of River Passage for iPhone. For as little as £3 a month (or an annual payment of £30), you can make a real Children’s Book Fair 2017. Using a This workshop is a chance to press the This is a workshop for writers interested contribution to creative writing and literature activities in the West Midlands. mix of materials, young people will test pause button and refresh your writing in developing their work digitally and Join online www.writingwestmidlands.org or via The BOX. if it’s possible to express themselves practice. Learn how to calm your inner reaching new audiences. and communicate with each other by critic, move writers’ block out of the way The benefits of becoming aFriend include: gesture, lines and marks. The work they and relax into your creative flow. Discover The workshop will close with a live 10% off tickets for events, including at the 10% off total bill atMarmalade at the Rep create will be exhibited as a collage at how mindfulness techniques can become performance of River Passage with music Birmingham Literature Festival Centrala Gallery. part of your everyday life and help you from Dan Phelps. 10% off atLibrary of Birmingham Café 20% off books at our events 3 for 2 on all whisky masterclasses at enjoy the writing process again. Suitable 1-2.30pm Canalside £10/£8 (concs.) Suitable for ages 7+ Exclusive quarterly newsletter Hard to Find Whisky for writers of all disciplines, and for Ticket includes free download of the 11am-12.30pm Centrala £6 for children 15% off any full price purchases at beginners as well as established writers. River Passage app for iPhone. 25% offNine Arches Press books (adults accompany for free) Foyles, Grand Central. 2 for 1 offer on tickets to theRSC 10am-1pm Birmingham Buddhist 10% off any full price purchases at viewing tower Centre £15/£12 (concs.) Waterstones Birmingham

Workshops Workshops Venues With thanks

Walk-Write Roundhouse Writers The full addresses of our event locations are: With thanks to our funders and partners Friday 21 April Mandy Ross writes books for children Take a towpath tour along to the Jewellery and adults, as well as plays and poetry. Arts Council England, Festivals Birmingham, Library of Birmingham, Birmingham Rep, Quarter, stopping to explore hidden gems She is artistic co-director of Secret City Roundhouse 101 St Vincent St, Birmingham B16 8EB Waterstones Birmingham, Big Birmingham Bikes, British Canoeing, B-ROW, Canal & of the canalside, and wander back to Arts which works with community groups River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Roundhouse, Colmore Gate, Centrala Gallery, The Roundhouse for a writing workshop to bring to life the hidden histories of Centrala Unit 4 Minerva Works,158 Fazeley Street, B5 5RT Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Nine Arches Press, The Poetry School, Thinktank, led by Mandy Ross (10am-1pm) or Kurly Birmingham and beyond. Canalside, thestudiobirmingham, and to all the writers and publishers. McGeachie (2pm-5pm). Secret Location – To Be Revealed Kurly McGeachie is a performance Festival Sponsor Cycle-Write poet and rapper, in high demand across Colmore Gate 6 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QX the city for his writing and performing Saturday 22 April workshops. He is a Birmingham Poet Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham Cycle towards Perrot’s Folly, regarded Laureate finalist. by Tolkien fans as a key inspiration for Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2ND his work, returning to The Roundhouse Matt Black lives in Leamington Spa. for a writing workshop led by Matt Black He writes poems for adults and children Birmingham Buddhist Centre 11 Park Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8AB and has worked for 20 years as a writer (10am-1pm) or Kurly McGeachie (2pm- The Door Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP 5pm). Bikes, helmets and ride leaders in schools and the community. He is Festival Friends, Supporters & Benefactors supplied free from Big Birmingham Bikes. currently working on a long poem about Yasmin Ali Narinder Dhami Rachel Hursey Sarah Mullen extreme weather commissioned by the thestudiobirmingham 7 Cannon St, Birmingham B2 5EP You can bring your own bike if you wish, Emma Austin-Jones Ann Dolan Liz Hyder Marjorie Neilson which will be checked for roadworthiness. University of Nottingham. Thinktank Millennium Point, Curzon St, Birmingham B4 7XG Kathryn Azarpay Edward Dunphy Fiona Joseph Gareth Pert Canoe-Write Jo Bell is a former Canal Poet Laureate Matt Black Jenny Durston Frances Kennedy Karen Pincher and currently appears on Nationwide’s Waterstones 24-26 High St, Birmingham B4 7SL Sarah Bookey Lorraine Francis Ian Kennedy Verity Relves Roundhouse Rendezvous Sunday 23 April ‘Voice of the People’ ads. Her poetry Lorraine Boyce Danielle Fuller Abda Khan Martin Sketchley Need some inspiration to get writing? Take to the waterways of Birmingham by collection Kith is published by Nine Canalside 196 Wharfside St, Birmingham B1 1RN Anne Cockitt William Gallagher Nadia Kingsley Jeanette Sheppard Want to explore hidden Birmingham? canoe for a unique perspective on the Arches Press. She is co-writing a handbook for poets - How to be a Poet - Jane Commane Anna & Rob Ganley Sarah Leavesley Philip Monks & Jenny Look no further than our series of city, returning to dry land for a writing and lives on a narrowboat. Stephens creative walks, bike rides and canoe trips workshop at The Roundhouse led by Alys Carolyn Cook Lisa Godsal Neil Lockwood Peter Wakefield developed in partnership with the Canal Fowler (10am-1pm) or Jo Bell (2pm-5pm). Lindsay Davis Jacqueline Grant Amos Mallard Alys Fowler is an award-winning & River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Workshops for young people at both journalist, regular presenter of BBC Kit De Waal Andrew Hollyhead Paul McDonald Roundhouse, British Canoeing and Big sessions will be led by Garrie Fletcher. Gardeners’ World and Guardian Birmingham Bikes, and delivered by five Canoes and instruction supplied free of columnist. Her new book Hidden Nature fantastic writers. charge from British Canoeing and B-ROW. charts her journey through the canals of First head out on foot, by bike or in Please dress comfortably: we advise Birmingham by canoe. a canoe, then use your adventure to that you don’t wear jeans, you do wear Birmingham Literature Festival is a project of Writing West Midlands. help you write. Each activity will last for trainers, bring a waterproof coat and Garrie Fletcher writes short stories, trousers, and a complete change of Writing West Midlands is the literature development agency for the region. around an hour and the workshops for novels and poems. His collection of short Charity no. 1147710. Supported by Arts Council England. approximately an hour and a half. clothes. The canoes have a weight stories, Night Swimming, has just been www.writingwestmidlands.org. restriction of 17.5 stone. published by Mantle Lane Press. He leads Drinks are provided free of charge but Prices are £20/£16 (concs.) and £10 the Birmingham Young Writers’ Group for Events are suitable for adults and children 14+ unless otherwise stated. please bring a snack to sustain you. for those aged 16 and under Writing West Midlands. Suitable for adults and children aged 8 and over. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Workshops and Family Events Workshops Booking Programme Schedule Event Title Start Time Finish Time Venue Friday 21st April Friday 21 April To book tickets and passes for Roundhouse Rendezvous: Walking with Mandy Ross 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Viviane Schwarz- Festival Pass Viviane Schwarz- Illustration Event 14:00 15:30 Centrala any of these events, go to Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse Illustration Workshop www.birminghamliteraturefestival. Walking with Kurly McGeachie Buy a Festival Pass to access all ten of our Secret Storytelling 16:00 17:30 Secret Location Join acclaimed picture book creator org/events Birmingham Literature Festival main events! The Transition with Luke Kennard and Dawn Foster 18:00 19:15 Colmore Gate Viviane Schwarz for an adventure with or call the Box Office Only Connect with Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic 19:45 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham the star of her new book, Henry Finch For just £50*, the Festival Pass gets you Saturday 22 April - the bird who strives for greatness, on 0121 245 4455 into all 10 of the festival’s headline events. Silent Reading and Mindful Writing Workshop 10:00 13:00 Birmingham Buddhist Centre gets it all very wrong, then puts it right Your pass also entitles you to 20% off all Aleksandra Cieslak Family Illustration Workshop 11:00 12:30 Centrala in the most surprising way. I am Henry Concessions are available for: books at the Festival plus café discounts. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Cycling with Matt Black 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Finch - groundbreaking philosophy in Dividing Lines with Bidisha 14:00 15:30 thestudiobirmingham A portion of the price of the Festival Pass picture-book format - was crowned the those with disabilities, those in Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse will also go towards programming great most radical children’s book of the year in Cycling with Kurly McGeachie full time education, in receipt of a events for next year’s festival, helping to 2016. “Ideal for inquisitive kids”, says The Honour Among Thebes with Natalie Haynes 16:00 17:00 thestudiobirmingham secure its future. From Romania with Love 15:00 17:00 Centrala Times. pension and trade union members. An Evening with an Immigrant 18:00 19:30 The Door *£40 concessions. This is a special opportunity to hear Viv Group rates are also available Everywoman with Jess Phillips MP 20:00 21:30 thestudiobirmingham talk about her work and then get her help via the Box Office, for groups Ts & Cs at Sunday 23 April to create your own picture book art. For of 10 or more for larger events. www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Beetle Queen with M.G.Leonard 11:00 12:30 Thinktank all budding artists, writers, thinkers and or speak to the Box Office on 0121 245 4455 How to Write a Poetry App Workshop 13.00 14:30 Canalside dreamers. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Alys Fowler 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Poetry Primers Launch 13:00 14:30 Waterstones Recommended age 6+ Saturday 22nd April Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Jo Bell 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse 2-3.30pm Centrala £6 for children Saturday 22nd April Saturday 22nd April Hidden Nature with Alys Fowler 15:30 17:00 Canalside (adults accompany for free) Illustration Workshop Xan Brooks and Sarah Phelps 17:30 18:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham Silent Reading and How to Write a Poetry App Festival Finale with Lionel Shriver 19:30 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham with Aleksandra Cie´slak Mindful Writing Jeff Phelps turned his poem ‘River This workshop is led by leading Passage’ into an app – come and find out Time to sit back, relax and reflect in the Polish illustrator, Aleksandra Cieślak. how he did it, and learn how to make your peaceful environment of Birmingham Become a friend of Writing West Midlands It’s all about using creative ways to own poetry app. Buddhist Centre. Bring a book to read in communicate without words, and is Join us by becoming a Friend and help us develop writers of all ages across silence to ease yourself into the morning, Jeff Phelps and producer William based on Aleksandra’s latest book, the region. You will also get special discounts at our events and workshops, then after a short break, Charlie Jordan Gallagher will discuss the lessons learned This is a Book to Make, winner of a including a discount on the Festival Pass and for our National Writers’ Conference. will lead a Mindfulness Writing workshop. and the opportunities discovered in the BolognaRagazzi award at the Bologna making of River Passage for iPhone. For as little as £3 a month (or an annual payment of £30), you can make a real Children’s Book Fair 2017. Using a This workshop is a chance to press the This is a workshop for writers interested contribution to creative writing and literature activities in the West Midlands. mix of materials, young people will test pause button and refresh your writing in developing their work digitally and Join online www.writingwestmidlands.org or via The BOX. if it’s possible to express themselves practice. Learn how to calm your inner reaching new audiences. and communicate with each other by critic, move writers’ block out of the way The benefits of becoming aFriend include: gesture, lines and marks. The work they and relax into your creative flow. Discover The workshop will close with a live 10% off tickets for events, including at the 10% off total bill atMarmalade at the Rep create will be exhibited as a collage at how mindfulness techniques can become performance of River Passage with music Birmingham Literature Festival Centrala Gallery. part of your everyday life and help you from Dan Phelps. 10% off atLibrary of Birmingham Café 20% off books at our events 3 for 2 on all whisky masterclasses at enjoy the writing process again. Suitable 1-2.30pm Canalside £10/£8 (concs.) Suitable for ages 7+ Exclusive quarterly newsletter Hard to Find Whisky for writers of all disciplines, and for Ticket includes free download of the 11am-12.30pm Centrala £6 for children 15% off any full price purchases at beginners as well as established writers. River Passage app for iPhone. 25% offNine Arches Press books (adults accompany for free) Foyles, Grand Central. 2 for 1 offer on tickets to theRSC 10am-1pm Birmingham Buddhist 10% off any full price purchases at viewing tower Centre £15/£12 (concs.) Waterstones Birmingham

Workshops Workshops Venues With thanks

Walk-Write Roundhouse Writers The full addresses of our event locations are: With thanks to our funders and partners Friday 21 April Mandy Ross writes books for children Take a towpath tour along to the Jewellery and adults, as well as plays and poetry. Arts Council England, Festivals Birmingham, Library of Birmingham, Birmingham Rep, Quarter, stopping to explore hidden gems She is artistic co-director of Secret City Roundhouse 101 St Vincent St, Birmingham B16 8EB Waterstones Birmingham, Big Birmingham Bikes, British Canoeing, B-ROW, Canal & of the canalside, and wander back to Arts which works with community groups River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Roundhouse, Colmore Gate, Centrala Gallery, The Roundhouse for a writing workshop to bring to life the hidden histories of Centrala Unit 4 Minerva Works,158 Fazeley Street, B5 5RT Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Nine Arches Press, The Poetry School, Thinktank, led by Mandy Ross (10am-1pm) or Kurly Birmingham and beyond. Canalside, thestudiobirmingham, and to all the writers and publishers. McGeachie (2pm-5pm). Secret Location – To Be Revealed Kurly McGeachie is a performance Festival Sponsor Cycle-Write poet and rapper, in high demand across Colmore Gate 6 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QX the city for his writing and performing Saturday 22 April workshops. He is a Birmingham Poet Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham Cycle towards Perrot’s Folly, regarded Laureate finalist. by Tolkien fans as a key inspiration for Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2ND his work, returning to The Roundhouse Matt Black lives in Leamington Spa. for a writing workshop led by Matt Black He writes poems for adults and children Birmingham Buddhist Centre 11 Park Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8AB and has worked for 20 years as a writer (10am-1pm) or Kurly McGeachie (2pm- The Door Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP 5pm). Bikes, helmets and ride leaders in schools and the community. He is Festival Friends, Supporters & Benefactors supplied free from Big Birmingham Bikes. currently working on a long poem about Yasmin Ali Narinder Dhami Rachel Hursey Sarah Mullen extreme weather commissioned by the thestudiobirmingham 7 Cannon St, Birmingham B2 5EP You can bring your own bike if you wish, Emma Austin-Jones Ann Dolan Liz Hyder Marjorie Neilson which will be checked for roadworthiness. University of Nottingham. Thinktank Millennium Point, Curzon St, Birmingham B4 7XG Kathryn Azarpay Edward Dunphy Fiona Joseph Gareth Pert Canoe-Write Jo Bell is a former Canal Poet Laureate Matt Black Jenny Durston Frances Kennedy Karen Pincher and currently appears on Nationwide’s Waterstones 24-26 High St, Birmingham B4 7SL Sarah Bookey Lorraine Francis Ian Kennedy Verity Relves Roundhouse Rendezvous Sunday 23 April ‘Voice of the People’ ads. Her poetry Lorraine Boyce Danielle Fuller Abda Khan Martin Sketchley Need some inspiration to get writing? Take to the waterways of Birmingham by collection Kith is published by Nine Canalside 196 Wharfside St, Birmingham B1 1RN Anne Cockitt William Gallagher Nadia Kingsley Jeanette Sheppard Want to explore hidden Birmingham? canoe for a unique perspective on the Arches Press. She is co-writing a handbook for poets - How to be a Poet - Jane Commane Anna & Rob Ganley Sarah Leavesley Philip Monks & Jenny Look no further than our series of city, returning to dry land for a writing and lives on a narrowboat. Stephens creative walks, bike rides and canoe trips workshop at The Roundhouse led by Alys Carolyn Cook Lisa Godsal Neil Lockwood Peter Wakefield developed in partnership with the Canal Fowler (10am-1pm) or Jo Bell (2pm-5pm). Lindsay Davis Jacqueline Grant Amos Mallard Alys Fowler is an award-winning & River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Workshops for young people at both journalist, regular presenter of BBC Kit De Waal Andrew Hollyhead Paul McDonald Roundhouse, British Canoeing and Big sessions will be led by Garrie Fletcher. Gardeners’ World and Guardian Birmingham Bikes, and delivered by five Canoes and instruction supplied free of columnist. Her new book Hidden Nature fantastic writers. charge from British Canoeing and B-ROW. charts her journey through the canals of First head out on foot, by bike or in Please dress comfortably: we advise Birmingham by canoe. a canoe, then use your adventure to that you don’t wear jeans, you do wear Birmingham Literature Festival is a project of Writing West Midlands. help you write. Each activity will last for trainers, bring a waterproof coat and Garrie Fletcher writes short stories, trousers, and a complete change of Writing West Midlands is the literature development agency for the region. around an hour and the workshops for novels and poems. His collection of short Charity no. 1147710. Supported by Arts Council England. approximately an hour and a half. clothes. The canoes have a weight stories, Night Swimming, has just been www.writingwestmidlands.org. restriction of 17.5 stone. published by Mantle Lane Press. He leads Drinks are provided free of charge but Prices are £20/£16 (concs.) and £10 the Birmingham Young Writers’ Group for Events are suitable for adults and children 14+ unless otherwise stated. please bring a snack to sustain you. for those aged 16 and under Writing West Midlands. Suitable for adults and children aged 8 and over. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Workshops and Family Events Workshops Booking Programme Schedule Event Title Start Time Finish Time Venue Friday 21st April Friday 21 April To book tickets and passes for Roundhouse Rendezvous: Walking with Mandy Ross 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Viviane Schwarz- Festival Pass Viviane Schwarz- Illustration Event 14:00 15:30 Centrala any of these events, go to Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse Illustration Workshop www.birminghamliteraturefestival. Walking with Kurly McGeachie Buy a Festival Pass to access all ten of our Secret Storytelling 16:00 17:30 Secret Location Join acclaimed picture book creator org/events Birmingham Literature Festival main events! The Transition with Luke Kennard and Dawn Foster 18:00 19:15 Colmore Gate Viviane Schwarz for an adventure with or call the Box Office Only Connect with Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic 19:45 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham the star of her new book, Henry Finch For just £50*, the Festival Pass gets you Saturday 22 April - the bird who strives for greatness, on 0121 245 4455 into all 10 of the festival’s headline events. Silent Reading and Mindful Writing Workshop 10:00 13:00 Birmingham Buddhist Centre gets it all very wrong, then puts it right Your pass also entitles you to 20% off all Aleksandra Cieslak Family Illustration Workshop 11:00 12:30 Centrala in the most surprising way. I am Henry Concessions are available for: books at the Festival plus café discounts. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Cycling with Matt Black 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Finch - groundbreaking philosophy in Dividing Lines with Bidisha 14:00 15:30 thestudiobirmingham A portion of the price of the Festival Pass picture-book format - was crowned the those with disabilities, those in Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse will also go towards programming great most radical children’s book of the year in Cycling with Kurly McGeachie full time education, in receipt of a events for next year’s festival, helping to 2016. “Ideal for inquisitive kids”, says The Honour Among Thebes with Natalie Haynes 16:00 17:00 thestudiobirmingham secure its future. From Romania with Love 15:00 17:00 Centrala Times. pension and trade union members. An Evening with an Immigrant 18:00 19:30 The Door *£40 concessions. This is a special opportunity to hear Viv Group rates are also available Everywoman with Jess Phillips MP 20:00 21:30 thestudiobirmingham talk about her work and then get her help via the Box Office, for groups Ts & Cs at Sunday 23 April to create your own picture book art. For of 10 or more for larger events. www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Beetle Queen with M.G.Leonard 11:00 12:30 Thinktank all budding artists, writers, thinkers and or speak to the Box Office on 0121 245 4455 How to Write a Poetry App Workshop 13.00 14:30 Canalside dreamers. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Alys Fowler 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Poetry Primers Launch 13:00 14:30 Waterstones Recommended age 6+ Saturday 22nd April Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Jo Bell 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse 2-3.30pm Centrala £6 for children Saturday 22nd April Saturday 22nd April Hidden Nature with Alys Fowler 15:30 17:00 Canalside (adults accompany for free) Illustration Workshop Xan Brooks and Sarah Phelps 17:30 18:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham Silent Reading and How to Write a Poetry App Festival Finale with Lionel Shriver 19:30 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham with Aleksandra Cie´slak Mindful Writing Jeff Phelps turned his poem ‘River This workshop is led by leading Passage’ into an app – come and find out Time to sit back, relax and reflect in the Polish illustrator, Aleksandra Cieślak. how he did it, and learn how to make your peaceful environment of Birmingham Become a friend of Writing West Midlands It’s all about using creative ways to own poetry app. Buddhist Centre. Bring a book to read in communicate without words, and is Join us by becoming a Friend and help us develop writers of all ages across silence to ease yourself into the morning, Jeff Phelps and producer William based on Aleksandra’s latest book, the region. You will also get special discounts at our events and workshops, then after a short break, Charlie Jordan Gallagher will discuss the lessons learned This is a Book to Make, winner of a including a discount on the Festival Pass and for our National Writers’ Conference. will lead a Mindfulness Writing workshop. and the opportunities discovered in the BolognaRagazzi award at the Bologna making of River Passage for iPhone. For as little as £3 a month (or an annual payment of £30), you can make a real Children’s Book Fair 2017. Using a This workshop is a chance to press the This is a workshop for writers interested contribution to creative writing and literature activities in the West Midlands. mix of materials, young people will test pause button and refresh your writing in developing their work digitally and Join online www.writingwestmidlands.org or via The BOX. if it’s possible to express themselves practice. Learn how to calm your inner reaching new audiences. and communicate with each other by critic, move writers’ block out of the way The benefits of becoming aFriend include: gesture, lines and marks. The work they and relax into your creative flow. Discover The workshop will close with a live 10% off tickets for events, including at the 10% off total bill atMarmalade at the Rep create will be exhibited as a collage at how mindfulness techniques can become performance of River Passage with music Birmingham Literature Festival Centrala Gallery. part of your everyday life and help you from Dan Phelps. 10% off atLibrary of Birmingham Café 20% off books at our events 3 for 2 on all whisky masterclasses at enjoy the writing process again. Suitable 1-2.30pm Canalside £10/£8 (concs.) Suitable for ages 7+ Exclusive quarterly newsletter Hard to Find Whisky for writers of all disciplines, and for Ticket includes free download of the 11am-12.30pm Centrala £6 for children 15% off any full price purchases at beginners as well as established writers. River Passage app for iPhone. 25% offNine Arches Press books (adults accompany for free) Foyles, Grand Central. 2 for 1 offer on tickets to theRSC 10am-1pm Birmingham Buddhist 10% off any full price purchases at viewing tower Centre £15/£12 (concs.) Waterstones Birmingham

Workshops Workshops Venues With thanks

Walk-Write Roundhouse Writers The full addresses of our event locations are: With thanks to our funders and partners Friday 21 April Mandy Ross writes books for children Take a towpath tour along to the Jewellery and adults, as well as plays and poetry. Arts Council England, Festivals Birmingham, Library of Birmingham, Birmingham Rep, Quarter, stopping to explore hidden gems She is artistic co-director of Secret City Roundhouse 101 St Vincent St, Birmingham B16 8EB Waterstones Birmingham, Big Birmingham Bikes, British Canoeing, B-ROW, Canal & of the canalside, and wander back to Arts which works with community groups River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Roundhouse, Colmore Gate, Centrala Gallery, The Roundhouse for a writing workshop to bring to life the hidden histories of Centrala Unit 4 Minerva Works,158 Fazeley Street, B5 5RT Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Nine Arches Press, The Poetry School, Thinktank, led by Mandy Ross (10am-1pm) or Kurly Birmingham and beyond. Canalside, thestudiobirmingham, and to all the writers and publishers. McGeachie (2pm-5pm). Secret Location – To Be Revealed Kurly McGeachie is a performance Festival Sponsor Cycle-Write poet and rapper, in high demand across Colmore Gate 6 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QX the city for his writing and performing Saturday 22 April workshops. He is a Birmingham Poet Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham Cycle towards Perrot’s Folly, regarded Laureate finalist. by Tolkien fans as a key inspiration for Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2ND his work, returning to The Roundhouse Matt Black lives in Leamington Spa. for a writing workshop led by Matt Black He writes poems for adults and children Birmingham Buddhist Centre 11 Park Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8AB and has worked for 20 years as a writer (10am-1pm) or Kurly McGeachie (2pm- The Door Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP 5pm). Bikes, helmets and ride leaders in schools and the community. He is Festival Friends, Supporters & Benefactors supplied free from Big Birmingham Bikes. currently working on a long poem about Yasmin Ali Narinder Dhami Rachel Hursey Sarah Mullen extreme weather commissioned by the thestudiobirmingham 7 Cannon St, Birmingham B2 5EP You can bring your own bike if you wish, Emma Austin-Jones Ann Dolan Liz Hyder Marjorie Neilson which will be checked for roadworthiness. University of Nottingham. Thinktank Millennium Point, Curzon St, Birmingham B4 7XG Kathryn Azarpay Edward Dunphy Fiona Joseph Gareth Pert Canoe-Write Jo Bell is a former Canal Poet Laureate Matt Black Jenny Durston Frances Kennedy Karen Pincher and currently appears on Nationwide’s Waterstones 24-26 High St, Birmingham B4 7SL Sarah Bookey Lorraine Francis Ian Kennedy Verity Relves Roundhouse Rendezvous Sunday 23 April ‘Voice of the People’ ads. Her poetry Lorraine Boyce Danielle Fuller Abda Khan Martin Sketchley Need some inspiration to get writing? Take to the waterways of Birmingham by collection Kith is published by Nine Canalside 196 Wharfside St, Birmingham B1 1RN Anne Cockitt William Gallagher Nadia Kingsley Jeanette Sheppard Want to explore hidden Birmingham? canoe for a unique perspective on the Arches Press. She is co-writing a handbook for poets - How to be a Poet - Jane Commane Anna & Rob Ganley Sarah Leavesley Philip Monks & Jenny Look no further than our series of city, returning to dry land for a writing and lives on a narrowboat. Stephens creative walks, bike rides and canoe trips workshop at The Roundhouse led by Alys Carolyn Cook Lisa Godsal Neil Lockwood Peter Wakefield developed in partnership with the Canal Fowler (10am-1pm) or Jo Bell (2pm-5pm). Lindsay Davis Jacqueline Grant Amos Mallard Alys Fowler is an award-winning & River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Workshops for young people at both journalist, regular presenter of BBC Kit De Waal Andrew Hollyhead Paul McDonald Roundhouse, British Canoeing and Big sessions will be led by Garrie Fletcher. Gardeners’ World and Guardian Birmingham Bikes, and delivered by five Canoes and instruction supplied free of columnist. Her new book Hidden Nature fantastic writers. charge from British Canoeing and B-ROW. charts her journey through the canals of First head out on foot, by bike or in Please dress comfortably: we advise Birmingham by canoe. a canoe, then use your adventure to that you don’t wear jeans, you do wear Birmingham Literature Festival is a project of Writing West Midlands. help you write. Each activity will last for trainers, bring a waterproof coat and Garrie Fletcher writes short stories, trousers, and a complete change of Writing West Midlands is the literature development agency for the region. around an hour and the workshops for novels and poems. His collection of short Charity no. 1147710. Supported by Arts Council England. approximately an hour and a half. clothes. The canoes have a weight stories, Night Swimming, has just been www.writingwestmidlands.org. restriction of 17.5 stone. published by Mantle Lane Press. He leads Drinks are provided free of charge but Prices are £20/£16 (concs.) and £10 the Birmingham Young Writers’ Group for Events are suitable for adults and children 14+ unless otherwise stated. please bring a snack to sustain you. for those aged 16 and under Writing West Midlands. Suitable for adults and children aged 8 and over. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Workshops and Family Events Workshops Booking Programme Schedule Event Title Start Time Finish Time Venue Friday 21st April Friday 21 April To book tickets and passes for Roundhouse Rendezvous: Walking with Mandy Ross 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Viviane Schwarz- Festival Pass Viviane Schwarz- Illustration Event 14:00 15:30 Centrala any of these events, go to Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse Illustration Workshop www.birminghamliteraturefestival. Walking with Kurly McGeachie Buy a Festival Pass to access all ten of our Secret Storytelling 16:00 17:30 Secret Location Join acclaimed picture book creator org/events Birmingham Literature Festival main events! The Transition with Luke Kennard and Dawn Foster 18:00 19:15 Colmore Gate Viviane Schwarz for an adventure with or call the Box Office Only Connect with Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic 19:45 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham the star of her new book, Henry Finch For just £50*, the Festival Pass gets you Saturday 22 April - the bird who strives for greatness, on 0121 245 4455 into all 10 of the festival’s headline events. Silent Reading and Mindful Writing Workshop 10:00 13:00 Birmingham Buddhist Centre gets it all very wrong, then puts it right Your pass also entitles you to 20% off all Aleksandra Cieslak Family Illustration Workshop 11:00 12:30 Centrala in the most surprising way. I am Henry Concessions are available for: books at the Festival plus café discounts. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Cycling with Matt Black 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Finch - groundbreaking philosophy in Dividing Lines with Bidisha 14:00 15:30 thestudiobirmingham A portion of the price of the Festival Pass picture-book format - was crowned the those with disabilities, those in Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse will also go towards programming great most radical children’s book of the year in Cycling with Kurly McGeachie full time education, in receipt of a events for next year’s festival, helping to 2016. “Ideal for inquisitive kids”, says The Honour Among Thebes with Natalie Haynes 16:00 17:00 thestudiobirmingham secure its future. From Romania with Love 15:00 17:00 Centrala Times. pension and trade union members. An Evening with an Immigrant 18:00 19:30 The Door *£40 concessions. This is a special opportunity to hear Viv Group rates are also available Everywoman with Jess Phillips MP 20:00 21:30 thestudiobirmingham talk about her work and then get her help via the Box Office, for groups Ts & Cs at Sunday 23 April to create your own picture book art. For of 10 or more for larger events. www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Beetle Queen with M.G.Leonard 11:00 12:30 Thinktank all budding artists, writers, thinkers and or speak to the Box Office on 0121 245 4455 How to Write a Poetry App Workshop 13.00 14:30 Canalside dreamers. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Alys Fowler 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Poetry Primers Launch 13:00 14:30 Waterstones Recommended age 6+ Saturday 22nd April Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Jo Bell 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse 2-3.30pm Centrala £6 for children Saturday 22nd April Saturday 22nd April Hidden Nature with Alys Fowler 15:30 17:00 Canalside (adults accompany for free) Illustration Workshop Xan Brooks and Sarah Phelps 17:30 18:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham Silent Reading and How to Write a Poetry App Festival Finale with Lionel Shriver 19:30 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham with Aleksandra Cie´slak Mindful Writing Jeff Phelps turned his poem ‘River This workshop is led by leading Passage’ into an app – come and find out Time to sit back, relax and reflect in the Polish illustrator, Aleksandra Cieślak. how he did it, and learn how to make your peaceful environment of Birmingham Become a friend of Writing West Midlands It’s all about using creative ways to own poetry app. Buddhist Centre. Bring a book to read in communicate without words, and is Join us by becoming a Friend and help us develop writers of all ages across silence to ease yourself into the morning, Jeff Phelps and producer William based on Aleksandra’s latest book, the region. You will also get special discounts at our events and workshops, then after a short break, Charlie Jordan Gallagher will discuss the lessons learned This is a Book to Make, winner of a including a discount on the Festival Pass and for our National Writers’ Conference. will lead a Mindfulness Writing workshop. and the opportunities discovered in the BolognaRagazzi award at the Bologna making of River Passage for iPhone. For as little as £3 a month (or an annual payment of £30), you can make a real Children’s Book Fair 2017. Using a This workshop is a chance to press the This is a workshop for writers interested contribution to creative writing and literature activities in the West Midlands. mix of materials, young people will test pause button and refresh your writing in developing their work digitally and Join online www.writingwestmidlands.org or via The BOX. if it’s possible to express themselves practice. Learn how to calm your inner reaching new audiences. and communicate with each other by critic, move writers’ block out of the way The benefits of becoming aFriend include: gesture, lines and marks. The work they and relax into your creative flow. Discover The workshop will close with a live 10% off tickets for events, including at the 10% off total bill atMarmalade at the Rep create will be exhibited as a collage at how mindfulness techniques can become performance of River Passage with music Birmingham Literature Festival Centrala Gallery. part of your everyday life and help you from Dan Phelps. 10% off atLibrary of Birmingham Café 20% off books at our events 3 for 2 on all whisky masterclasses at enjoy the writing process again. Suitable 1-2.30pm Canalside £10/£8 (concs.) Suitable for ages 7+ Exclusive quarterly newsletter Hard to Find Whisky for writers of all disciplines, and for Ticket includes free download of the 11am-12.30pm Centrala £6 for children 15% off any full price purchases at beginners as well as established writers. River Passage app for iPhone. 25% offNine Arches Press books (adults accompany for free) Foyles, Grand Central. 2 for 1 offer on tickets to theRSC 10am-1pm Birmingham Buddhist 10% off any full price purchases at viewing tower Centre £15/£12 (concs.) Waterstones Birmingham

Workshops Workshops Venues With thanks

Walk-Write Roundhouse Writers The full addresses of our event locations are: With thanks to our funders and partners Friday 21 April Mandy Ross writes books for children Take a towpath tour along to the Jewellery and adults, as well as plays and poetry. Arts Council England, Festivals Birmingham, Library of Birmingham, Birmingham Rep, Quarter, stopping to explore hidden gems She is artistic co-director of Secret City Roundhouse 101 St Vincent St, Birmingham B16 8EB Waterstones Birmingham, Big Birmingham Bikes, British Canoeing, B-ROW, Canal & of the canalside, and wander back to Arts which works with community groups River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Roundhouse, Colmore Gate, Centrala Gallery, The Roundhouse for a writing workshop to bring to life the hidden histories of Centrala Unit 4 Minerva Works,158 Fazeley Street, B5 5RT Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Nine Arches Press, The Poetry School, Thinktank, led by Mandy Ross (10am-1pm) or Kurly Birmingham and beyond. Canalside, thestudiobirmingham, and to all the writers and publishers. McGeachie (2pm-5pm). Secret Location – To Be Revealed Kurly McGeachie is a performance Festival Sponsor Cycle-Write poet and rapper, in high demand across Colmore Gate 6 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QX the city for his writing and performing Saturday 22 April workshops. He is a Birmingham Poet Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham Cycle towards Perrot’s Folly, regarded Laureate finalist. by Tolkien fans as a key inspiration for Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2ND his work, returning to The Roundhouse Matt Black lives in Leamington Spa. for a writing workshop led by Matt Black He writes poems for adults and children Birmingham Buddhist Centre 11 Park Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8AB and has worked for 20 years as a writer (10am-1pm) or Kurly McGeachie (2pm- The Door Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP 5pm). Bikes, helmets and ride leaders in schools and the community. He is Festival Friends, Supporters & Benefactors supplied free from Big Birmingham Bikes. currently working on a long poem about Yasmin Ali Narinder Dhami Rachel Hursey Sarah Mullen extreme weather commissioned by the thestudiobirmingham 7 Cannon St, Birmingham B2 5EP You can bring your own bike if you wish, Emma Austin-Jones Ann Dolan Liz Hyder Marjorie Neilson which will be checked for roadworthiness. University of Nottingham. Thinktank Millennium Point, Curzon St, Birmingham B4 7XG Kathryn Azarpay Edward Dunphy Fiona Joseph Gareth Pert Canoe-Write Jo Bell is a former Canal Poet Laureate Matt Black Jenny Durston Frances Kennedy Karen Pincher and currently appears on Nationwide’s Waterstones 24-26 High St, Birmingham B4 7SL Sarah Bookey Lorraine Francis Ian Kennedy Verity Relves Roundhouse Rendezvous Sunday 23 April ‘Voice of the People’ ads. Her poetry Lorraine Boyce Danielle Fuller Abda Khan Martin Sketchley Need some inspiration to get writing? Take to the waterways of Birmingham by collection Kith is published by Nine Canalside 196 Wharfside St, Birmingham B1 1RN Anne Cockitt William Gallagher Nadia Kingsley Jeanette Sheppard Want to explore hidden Birmingham? canoe for a unique perspective on the Arches Press. She is co-writing a handbook for poets - How to be a Poet - Jane Commane Anna & Rob Ganley Sarah Leavesley Philip Monks & Jenny Look no further than our series of city, returning to dry land for a writing and lives on a narrowboat. Stephens creative walks, bike rides and canoe trips workshop at The Roundhouse led by Alys Carolyn Cook Lisa Godsal Neil Lockwood Peter Wakefield developed in partnership with the Canal Fowler (10am-1pm) or Jo Bell (2pm-5pm). Lindsay Davis Jacqueline Grant Amos Mallard Alys Fowler is an award-winning & River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Workshops for young people at both journalist, regular presenter of BBC Kit De Waal Andrew Hollyhead Paul McDonald Roundhouse, British Canoeing and Big sessions will be led by Garrie Fletcher. Gardeners’ World and Guardian Birmingham Bikes, and delivered by five Canoes and instruction supplied free of columnist. Her new book Hidden Nature fantastic writers. charge from British Canoeing and B-ROW. charts her journey through the canals of First head out on foot, by bike or in Please dress comfortably: we advise Birmingham by canoe. a canoe, then use your adventure to that you don’t wear jeans, you do wear Birmingham Literature Festival is a project of Writing West Midlands. help you write. Each activity will last for trainers, bring a waterproof coat and Garrie Fletcher writes short stories, trousers, and a complete change of Writing West Midlands is the literature development agency for the region. around an hour and the workshops for novels and poems. His collection of short Charity no. 1147710. Supported by Arts Council England. approximately an hour and a half. clothes. The canoes have a weight stories, Night Swimming, has just been www.writingwestmidlands.org. restriction of 17.5 stone. published by Mantle Lane Press. He leads Drinks are provided free of charge but Prices are £20/£16 (concs.) and £10 the Birmingham Young Writers’ Group for Events are suitable for adults and children 14+ unless otherwise stated. please bring a snack to sustain you. for those aged 16 and under Writing West Midlands. Suitable for adults and children aged 8 and over. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Workshops and Family Events Workshops Booking Programme Schedule Event Title Start Time Finish Time Venue Friday 21st April Friday 21 April To book tickets and passes for Roundhouse Rendezvous: Walking with Mandy Ross 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Viviane Schwarz- Festival Pass Viviane Schwarz- Illustration Event 14:00 15:30 Centrala any of these events, go to Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse Illustration Workshop www.birminghamliteraturefestival. Walking with Kurly McGeachie Buy a Festival Pass to access all ten of our Secret Storytelling 16:00 17:30 Secret Location Join acclaimed picture book creator org/events Birmingham Literature Festival main events! The Transition with Luke Kennard and Dawn Foster 18:00 19:15 Colmore Gate Viviane Schwarz for an adventure with or call the Box Office Only Connect with Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic 19:45 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham the star of her new book, Henry Finch For just £50*, the Festival Pass gets you Saturday 22 April - the bird who strives for greatness, on 0121 245 4455 into all 10 of the festival’s headline events. Silent Reading and Mindful Writing Workshop 10:00 13:00 Birmingham Buddhist Centre gets it all very wrong, then puts it right Your pass also entitles you to 20% off all Aleksandra Cieslak Family Illustration Workshop 11:00 12:30 Centrala in the most surprising way. I am Henry Concessions are available for: books at the Festival plus café discounts. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Cycling with Matt Black 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Finch - groundbreaking philosophy in Dividing Lines with Bidisha 14:00 15:30 thestudiobirmingham A portion of the price of the Festival Pass picture-book format - was crowned the those with disabilities, those in Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse will also go towards programming great most radical children’s book of the year in Cycling with Kurly McGeachie full time education, in receipt of a events for next year’s festival, helping to 2016. “Ideal for inquisitive kids”, says The Honour Among Thebes with Natalie Haynes 16:00 17:00 thestudiobirmingham secure its future. From Romania with Love 15:00 17:00 Centrala Times. pension and trade union members. An Evening with an Immigrant 18:00 19:30 The Door *£40 concessions. This is a special opportunity to hear Viv Group rates are also available Everywoman with Jess Phillips MP 20:00 21:30 thestudiobirmingham talk about her work and then get her help via the Box Office, for groups Ts & Cs at Sunday 23 April to create your own picture book art. For of 10 or more for larger events. www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Beetle Queen with M.G.Leonard 11:00 12:30 Thinktank all budding artists, writers, thinkers and or speak to the Box Office on 0121 245 4455 How to Write a Poetry App Workshop 13.00 14:30 Canalside dreamers. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Alys Fowler 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Poetry Primers Launch 13:00 14:30 Waterstones Recommended age 6+ Saturday 22nd April Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Jo Bell 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse 2-3.30pm Centrala £6 for children Saturday 22nd April Saturday 22nd April Hidden Nature with Alys Fowler 15:30 17:00 Canalside (adults accompany for free) Illustration Workshop Xan Brooks and Sarah Phelps 17:30 18:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham Silent Reading and How to Write a Poetry App Festival Finale with Lionel Shriver 19:30 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham with Aleksandra Cie´slak Mindful Writing Jeff Phelps turned his poem ‘River This workshop is led by leading Passage’ into an app – come and find out Time to sit back, relax and reflect in the Polish illustrator, Aleksandra Cieślak. how he did it, and learn how to make your peaceful environment of Birmingham Become a friend of Writing West Midlands It’s all about using creative ways to own poetry app. Buddhist Centre. Bring a book to read in communicate without words, and is Join us by becoming a Friend and help us develop writers of all ages across silence to ease yourself into the morning, Jeff Phelps and producer William based on Aleksandra’s latest book, the region. You will also get special discounts at our events and workshops, then after a short break, Charlie Jordan Gallagher will discuss the lessons learned This is a Book to Make, winner of a including a discount on the Festival Pass and for our National Writers’ Conference. will lead a Mindfulness Writing workshop. and the opportunities discovered in the BolognaRagazzi award at the Bologna making of River Passage for iPhone. For as little as £3 a month (or an annual payment of £30), you can make a real Children’s Book Fair 2017. Using a This workshop is a chance to press the This is a workshop for writers interested contribution to creative writing and literature activities in the West Midlands. mix of materials, young people will test pause button and refresh your writing in developing their work digitally and Join online www.writingwestmidlands.org or via The BOX. if it’s possible to express themselves practice. Learn how to calm your inner reaching new audiences. and communicate with each other by critic, move writers’ block out of the way The benefits of becoming aFriend include: gesture, lines and marks. The work they and relax into your creative flow. Discover The workshop will close with a live 10% off tickets for events, including at the 10% off total bill atMarmalade at the Rep create will be exhibited as a collage at how mindfulness techniques can become performance of River Passage with music Birmingham Literature Festival Centrala Gallery. part of your everyday life and help you from Dan Phelps. 10% off atLibrary of Birmingham Café 20% off books at our events 3 for 2 on all whisky masterclasses at enjoy the writing process again. Suitable 1-2.30pm Canalside £10/£8 (concs.) Suitable for ages 7+ Exclusive quarterly newsletter Hard to Find Whisky for writers of all disciplines, and for Ticket includes free download of the 11am-12.30pm Centrala £6 for children 15% off any full price purchases at beginners as well as established writers. River Passage app for iPhone. 25% offNine Arches Press books (adults accompany for free) Foyles, Grand Central. 2 for 1 offer on tickets to theRSC 10am-1pm Birmingham Buddhist 10% off any full price purchases at viewing tower Centre £15/£12 (concs.) Waterstones Birmingham

Workshops Workshops Venues With thanks

Walk-Write Roundhouse Writers The full addresses of our event locations are: With thanks to our funders and partners Friday 21 April Mandy Ross writes books for children Take a towpath tour along to the Jewellery and adults, as well as plays and poetry. Arts Council England, Festivals Birmingham, Library of Birmingham, Birmingham Rep, Quarter, stopping to explore hidden gems She is artistic co-director of Secret City Roundhouse 101 St Vincent St, Birmingham B16 8EB Waterstones Birmingham, Big Birmingham Bikes, British Canoeing, B-ROW, Canal & of the canalside, and wander back to Arts which works with community groups River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Roundhouse, Colmore Gate, Centrala Gallery, The Roundhouse for a writing workshop to bring to life the hidden histories of Centrala Unit 4 Minerva Works,158 Fazeley Street, B5 5RT Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Nine Arches Press, The Poetry School, Thinktank, led by Mandy Ross (10am-1pm) or Kurly Birmingham and beyond. Canalside, thestudiobirmingham, and to all the writers and publishers. McGeachie (2pm-5pm). Secret Location – To Be Revealed Kurly McGeachie is a performance Festival Sponsor Cycle-Write poet and rapper, in high demand across Colmore Gate 6 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QX the city for his writing and performing Saturday 22 April workshops. He is a Birmingham Poet Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham Cycle towards Perrot’s Folly, regarded Laureate finalist. by Tolkien fans as a key inspiration for Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2ND his work, returning to The Roundhouse Matt Black lives in Leamington Spa. for a writing workshop led by Matt Black He writes poems for adults and children Birmingham Buddhist Centre 11 Park Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8AB and has worked for 20 years as a writer (10am-1pm) or Kurly McGeachie (2pm- The Door Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP 5pm). Bikes, helmets and ride leaders in schools and the community. He is Festival Friends, Supporters & Benefactors supplied free from Big Birmingham Bikes. currently working on a long poem about Yasmin Ali Narinder Dhami Rachel Hursey Sarah Mullen extreme weather commissioned by the thestudiobirmingham 7 Cannon St, Birmingham B2 5EP You can bring your own bike if you wish, Emma Austin-Jones Ann Dolan Liz Hyder Marjorie Neilson which will be checked for roadworthiness. University of Nottingham. Thinktank Millennium Point, Curzon St, Birmingham B4 7XG Kathryn Azarpay Edward Dunphy Fiona Joseph Gareth Pert Canoe-Write Jo Bell is a former Canal Poet Laureate Matt Black Jenny Durston Frances Kennedy Karen Pincher and currently appears on Nationwide’s Waterstones 24-26 High St, Birmingham B4 7SL Sarah Bookey Lorraine Francis Ian Kennedy Verity Relves Roundhouse Rendezvous Sunday 23 April ‘Voice of the People’ ads. Her poetry Lorraine Boyce Danielle Fuller Abda Khan Martin Sketchley Need some inspiration to get writing? Take to the waterways of Birmingham by collection Kith is published by Nine Canalside 196 Wharfside St, Birmingham B1 1RN Anne Cockitt William Gallagher Nadia Kingsley Jeanette Sheppard Want to explore hidden Birmingham? canoe for a unique perspective on the Arches Press. She is co-writing a handbook for poets - How to be a Poet - Jane Commane Anna & Rob Ganley Sarah Leavesley Philip Monks & Jenny Look no further than our series of city, returning to dry land for a writing and lives on a narrowboat. Stephens creative walks, bike rides and canoe trips workshop at The Roundhouse led by Alys Carolyn Cook Lisa Godsal Neil Lockwood Peter Wakefield developed in partnership with the Canal Fowler (10am-1pm) or Jo Bell (2pm-5pm). Lindsay Davis Jacqueline Grant Amos Mallard Alys Fowler is an award-winning & River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Workshops for young people at both journalist, regular presenter of BBC Kit De Waal Andrew Hollyhead Paul McDonald Roundhouse, British Canoeing and Big sessions will be led by Garrie Fletcher. Gardeners’ World and Guardian Birmingham Bikes, and delivered by five Canoes and instruction supplied free of columnist. Her new book Hidden Nature fantastic writers. charge from British Canoeing and B-ROW. charts her journey through the canals of First head out on foot, by bike or in Please dress comfortably: we advise Birmingham by canoe. a canoe, then use your adventure to that you don’t wear jeans, you do wear Birmingham Literature Festival is a project of Writing West Midlands. help you write. Each activity will last for trainers, bring a waterproof coat and Garrie Fletcher writes short stories, trousers, and a complete change of Writing West Midlands is the literature development agency for the region. around an hour and the workshops for novels and poems. His collection of short Charity no. 1147710. Supported by Arts Council England. approximately an hour and a half. clothes. The canoes have a weight stories, Night Swimming, has just been www.writingwestmidlands.org. restriction of 17.5 stone. published by Mantle Lane Press. He leads Drinks are provided free of charge but Prices are £20/£16 (concs.) and £10 the Birmingham Young Writers’ Group for Events are suitable for adults and children 14+ unless otherwise stated. please bring a snack to sustain you. for those aged 16 and under Writing West Midlands. Suitable for adults and children aged 8 and over. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Workshops and Family Events Workshops Booking Programme Schedule Event Title Start Time Finish Time Venue Friday 21st April Friday 21 April To book tickets and passes for Roundhouse Rendezvous: Walking with Mandy Ross 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Viviane Schwarz- Festival Pass Viviane Schwarz- Illustration Event 14:00 15:30 Centrala any of these events, go to Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse Illustration Workshop www.birminghamliteraturefestival. Walking with Kurly McGeachie Buy a Festival Pass to access all ten of our Secret Storytelling 16:00 17:30 Secret Location Join acclaimed picture book creator org/events Birmingham Literature Festival main events! The Transition with Luke Kennard and Dawn Foster 18:00 19:15 Colmore Gate Viviane Schwarz for an adventure with or call the Box Office Only Connect with Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic 19:45 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham the star of her new book, Henry Finch For just £50*, the Festival Pass gets you Saturday 22 April - the bird who strives for greatness, on 0121 245 4455 into all 10 of the festival’s headline events. Silent Reading and Mindful Writing Workshop 10:00 13:00 Birmingham Buddhist Centre gets it all very wrong, then puts it right Your pass also entitles you to 20% off all Aleksandra Cieslak Family Illustration Workshop 11:00 12:30 Centrala in the most surprising way. I am Henry Concessions are available for: books at the Festival plus café discounts. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Cycling with Matt Black 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Finch - groundbreaking philosophy in Dividing Lines with Bidisha 14:00 15:30 thestudiobirmingham A portion of the price of the Festival Pass picture-book format - was crowned the those with disabilities, those in Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse will also go towards programming great most radical children’s book of the year in Cycling with Kurly McGeachie full time education, in receipt of a events for next year’s festival, helping to 2016. “Ideal for inquisitive kids”, says The Honour Among Thebes with Natalie Haynes 16:00 17:00 thestudiobirmingham secure its future. From Romania with Love 15:00 17:00 Centrala Times. pension and trade union members. An Evening with an Immigrant 18:00 19:30 The Door *£40 concessions. This is a special opportunity to hear Viv Group rates are also available Everywoman with Jess Phillips MP 20:00 21:30 thestudiobirmingham talk about her work and then get her help via the Box Office, for groups Ts & Cs at Sunday 23 April to create your own picture book art. For of 10 or more for larger events. www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Beetle Queen with M.G.Leonard 11:00 12:30 Thinktank all budding artists, writers, thinkers and or speak to the Box Office on 0121 245 4455 How to Write a Poetry App Workshop 13.00 14:30 Canalside dreamers. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Alys Fowler 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Poetry Primers Launch 13:00 14:30 Waterstones Recommended age 6+ Saturday 22nd April Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Jo Bell 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse 2-3.30pm Centrala £6 for children Saturday 22nd April Saturday 22nd April Hidden Nature with Alys Fowler 15:30 17:00 Canalside (adults accompany for free) Illustration Workshop Xan Brooks and Sarah Phelps 17:30 18:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham Silent Reading and How to Write a Poetry App Festival Finale with Lionel Shriver 19:30 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham with Aleksandra Cie´slak Mindful Writing Jeff Phelps turned his poem ‘River This workshop is led by leading Passage’ into an app – come and find out Time to sit back, relax and reflect in the Polish illustrator, Aleksandra Cieślak. how he did it, and learn how to make your peaceful environment of Birmingham Become a friend of Writing West Midlands It’s all about using creative ways to own poetry app. Buddhist Centre. Bring a book to read in communicate without words, and is Join us by becoming a Friend and help us develop writers of all ages across silence to ease yourself into the morning, Jeff Phelps and producer William based on Aleksandra’s latest book, the region. You will also get special discounts at our events and workshops, then after a short break, Charlie Jordan Gallagher will discuss the lessons learned This is a Book to Make, winner of a including a discount on the Festival Pass and for our National Writers’ Conference. will lead a Mindfulness Writing workshop. and the opportunities discovered in the BolognaRagazzi award at the Bologna making of River Passage for iPhone. For as little as £3 a month (or an annual payment of £30), you can make a real Children’s Book Fair 2017. Using a This workshop is a chance to press the This is a workshop for writers interested contribution to creative writing and literature activities in the West Midlands. mix of materials, young people will test pause button and refresh your writing in developing their work digitally and Join online www.writingwestmidlands.org or via The BOX. if it’s possible to express themselves practice. Learn how to calm your inner reaching new audiences. and communicate with each other by critic, move writers’ block out of the way The benefits of becoming aFriend include: gesture, lines and marks. The work they and relax into your creative flow. Discover The workshop will close with a live 10% off tickets for events, including at the 10% off total bill atMarmalade at the Rep create will be exhibited as a collage at how mindfulness techniques can become performance of River Passage with music Birmingham Literature Festival Centrala Gallery. part of your everyday life and help you from Dan Phelps. 10% off atLibrary of Birmingham Café 20% off books at our events 3 for 2 on all whisky masterclasses at enjoy the writing process again. Suitable 1-2.30pm Canalside £10/£8 (concs.) Suitable for ages 7+ Exclusive quarterly newsletter Hard to Find Whisky for writers of all disciplines, and for Ticket includes free download of the 11am-12.30pm Centrala £6 for children 15% off any full price purchases at beginners as well as established writers. River Passage app for iPhone. 25% offNine Arches Press books (adults accompany for free) Foyles, Grand Central. 2 for 1 offer on tickets to theRSC 10am-1pm Birmingham Buddhist 10% off any full price purchases at viewing tower Centre £15/£12 (concs.) Waterstones Birmingham

Workshops Workshops Venues With thanks

Walk-Write Roundhouse Writers The full addresses of our event locations are: With thanks to our funders and partners Friday 21 April Mandy Ross writes books for children Take a towpath tour along to the Jewellery and adults, as well as plays and poetry. Arts Council England, Festivals Birmingham, Library of Birmingham, Birmingham Rep, Quarter, stopping to explore hidden gems She is artistic co-director of Secret City Roundhouse 101 St Vincent St, Birmingham B16 8EB Waterstones Birmingham, Big Birmingham Bikes, British Canoeing, B-ROW, Canal & of the canalside, and wander back to Arts which works with community groups River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Roundhouse, Colmore Gate, Centrala Gallery, The Roundhouse for a writing workshop to bring to life the hidden histories of Centrala Unit 4 Minerva Works,158 Fazeley Street, B5 5RT Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Nine Arches Press, The Poetry School, Thinktank, led by Mandy Ross (10am-1pm) or Kurly Birmingham and beyond. Canalside, thestudiobirmingham, and to all the writers and publishers. McGeachie (2pm-5pm). Secret Location – To Be Revealed Kurly McGeachie is a performance Festival Sponsor Cycle-Write poet and rapper, in high demand across Colmore Gate 6 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QX the city for his writing and performing Saturday 22 April workshops. He is a Birmingham Poet Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham Cycle towards Perrot’s Folly, regarded Laureate finalist. by Tolkien fans as a key inspiration for Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2ND his work, returning to The Roundhouse Matt Black lives in Leamington Spa. for a writing workshop led by Matt Black He writes poems for adults and children Birmingham Buddhist Centre 11 Park Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8AB and has worked for 20 years as a writer (10am-1pm) or Kurly McGeachie (2pm- The Door Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP 5pm). Bikes, helmets and ride leaders in schools and the community. He is Festival Friends, Supporters & Benefactors supplied free from Big Birmingham Bikes. currently working on a long poem about Yasmin Ali Narinder Dhami Rachel Hursey Sarah Mullen extreme weather commissioned by the thestudiobirmingham 7 Cannon St, Birmingham B2 5EP You can bring your own bike if you wish, Emma Austin-Jones Ann Dolan Liz Hyder Marjorie Neilson which will be checked for roadworthiness. University of Nottingham. Thinktank Millennium Point, Curzon St, Birmingham B4 7XG Kathryn Azarpay Edward Dunphy Fiona Joseph Gareth Pert Canoe-Write Jo Bell is a former Canal Poet Laureate Matt Black Jenny Durston Frances Kennedy Karen Pincher and currently appears on Nationwide’s Waterstones 24-26 High St, Birmingham B4 7SL Sarah Bookey Lorraine Francis Ian Kennedy Verity Relves Roundhouse Rendezvous Sunday 23 April ‘Voice of the People’ ads. Her poetry Lorraine Boyce Danielle Fuller Abda Khan Martin Sketchley Need some inspiration to get writing? Take to the waterways of Birmingham by collection Kith is published by Nine Canalside 196 Wharfside St, Birmingham B1 1RN Anne Cockitt William Gallagher Nadia Kingsley Jeanette Sheppard Want to explore hidden Birmingham? canoe for a unique perspective on the Arches Press. She is co-writing a handbook for poets - How to be a Poet - Jane Commane Anna & Rob Ganley Sarah Leavesley Philip Monks & Jenny Look no further than our series of city, returning to dry land for a writing and lives on a narrowboat. Stephens creative walks, bike rides and canoe trips workshop at The Roundhouse led by Alys Carolyn Cook Lisa Godsal Neil Lockwood Peter Wakefield developed in partnership with the Canal Fowler (10am-1pm) or Jo Bell (2pm-5pm). Lindsay Davis Jacqueline Grant Amos Mallard Alys Fowler is an award-winning & River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Workshops for young people at both journalist, regular presenter of BBC Kit De Waal Andrew Hollyhead Paul McDonald Roundhouse, British Canoeing and Big sessions will be led by Garrie Fletcher. Gardeners’ World and Guardian Birmingham Bikes, and delivered by five Canoes and instruction supplied free of columnist. Her new book Hidden Nature fantastic writers. charge from British Canoeing and B-ROW. charts her journey through the canals of First head out on foot, by bike or in Please dress comfortably: we advise Birmingham by canoe. a canoe, then use your adventure to that you don’t wear jeans, you do wear Birmingham Literature Festival is a project of Writing West Midlands. help you write. Each activity will last for trainers, bring a waterproof coat and Garrie Fletcher writes short stories, trousers, and a complete change of Writing West Midlands is the literature development agency for the region. around an hour and the workshops for novels and poems. His collection of short Charity no. 1147710. Supported by Arts Council England. approximately an hour and a half. clothes. The canoes have a weight stories, Night Swimming, has just been www.writingwestmidlands.org. restriction of 17.5 stone. published by Mantle Lane Press. He leads Drinks are provided free of charge but Prices are £20/£16 (concs.) and £10 the Birmingham Young Writers’ Group for Events are suitable for adults and children 14+ unless otherwise stated. please bring a snack to sustain you. for those aged 16 and under Writing West Midlands. Suitable for adults and children aged 8 and over. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Workshops and Family Events Workshops Booking Programme Schedule Event Title Start Time Finish Time Venue Friday 21st April Friday 21 April To book tickets and passes for Roundhouse Rendezvous: Walking with Mandy Ross 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Viviane Schwarz- Festival Pass Viviane Schwarz- Illustration Event 14:00 15:30 Centrala any of these events, go to Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse Illustration Workshop www.birminghamliteraturefestival. Walking with Kurly McGeachie Buy a Festival Pass to access all ten of our Secret Storytelling 16:00 17:30 Secret Location Join acclaimed picture book creator org/events Birmingham Literature Festival main events! The Transition with Luke Kennard and Dawn Foster 18:00 19:15 Colmore Gate Viviane Schwarz for an adventure with or call the Box Office Only Connect with Emma Gannon and Olivia Sudjic 19:45 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham the star of her new book, Henry Finch For just £50*, the Festival Pass gets you Saturday 22 April - the bird who strives for greatness, on 0121 245 4455 into all 10 of the festival’s headline events. Silent Reading and Mindful Writing Workshop 10:00 13:00 Birmingham Buddhist Centre gets it all very wrong, then puts it right Your pass also entitles you to 20% off all Aleksandra Cieslak Family Illustration Workshop 11:00 12:30 Centrala in the most surprising way. I am Henry Concessions are available for: books at the Festival plus café discounts. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Cycling with Matt Black 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Finch - groundbreaking philosophy in Dividing Lines with Bidisha 14:00 15:30 thestudiobirmingham A portion of the price of the Festival Pass picture-book format - was crowned the those with disabilities, those in Roundhouse Rendezvous: 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse will also go towards programming great most radical children’s book of the year in Cycling with Kurly McGeachie full time education, in receipt of a events for next year’s festival, helping to 2016. “Ideal for inquisitive kids”, says The Honour Among Thebes with Natalie Haynes 16:00 17:00 thestudiobirmingham secure its future. From Romania with Love 15:00 17:00 Centrala Times. pension and trade union members. An Evening with an Immigrant 18:00 19:30 The Door *£40 concessions. This is a special opportunity to hear Viv Group rates are also available Everywoman with Jess Phillips MP 20:00 21:30 thestudiobirmingham talk about her work and then get her help via the Box Office, for groups Ts & Cs at Sunday 23 April to create your own picture book art. For of 10 or more for larger events. www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Beetle Queen with M.G.Leonard 11:00 12:30 Thinktank all budding artists, writers, thinkers and or speak to the Box Office on 0121 245 4455 How to Write a Poetry App Workshop 13.00 14:30 Canalside dreamers. Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Alys Fowler 10:00 13:00 Roundhouse Poetry Primers Launch 13:00 14:30 Waterstones Recommended age 6+ Saturday 22nd April Roundhouse Rendezvous: Canoeing with Jo Bell 14:00 17:00 Roundhouse 2-3.30pm Centrala £6 for children Saturday 22nd April Saturday 22nd April Hidden Nature with Alys Fowler 15:30 17:00 Canalside (adults accompany for free) Illustration Workshop Xan Brooks and Sarah Phelps 17:30 18:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham Silent Reading and How to Write a Poetry App Festival Finale with Lionel Shriver 19:30 20:45 Studio Theatre Library of Birmingham with Aleksandra Cie´slak Mindful Writing Jeff Phelps turned his poem ‘River This workshop is led by leading Passage’ into an app – come and find out Time to sit back, relax and reflect in the Polish illustrator, Aleksandra Cieślak. how he did it, and learn how to make your peaceful environment of Birmingham Become a friend of Writing West Midlands It’s all about using creative ways to own poetry app. Buddhist Centre. Bring a book to read in communicate without words, and is Join us by becoming a Friend and help us develop writers of all ages across silence to ease yourself into the morning, Jeff Phelps and producer William based on Aleksandra’s latest book, the region. You will also get special discounts at our events and workshops, then after a short break, Charlie Jordan Gallagher will discuss the lessons learned This is a Book to Make, winner of a including a discount on the Festival Pass and for our National Writers’ Conference. will lead a Mindfulness Writing workshop. and the opportunities discovered in the BolognaRagazzi award at the Bologna making of River Passage for iPhone. For as little as £3 a month (or an annual payment of £30), you can make a real Children’s Book Fair 2017. Using a This workshop is a chance to press the This is a workshop for writers interested contribution to creative writing and literature activities in the West Midlands. mix of materials, young people will test pause button and refresh your writing in developing their work digitally and Join online www.writingwestmidlands.org or via The BOX. if it’s possible to express themselves practice. Learn how to calm your inner reaching new audiences. and communicate with each other by critic, move writers’ block out of the way The benefits of becoming aFriend include: gesture, lines and marks. The work they and relax into your creative flow. Discover The workshop will close with a live 10% off tickets for events, including at the 10% off total bill atMarmalade at the Rep create will be exhibited as a collage at how mindfulness techniques can become performance of River Passage with music Birmingham Literature Festival Centrala Gallery. part of your everyday life and help you from Dan Phelps. 10% off atLibrary of Birmingham Café 20% off books at our events 3 for 2 on all whisky masterclasses at enjoy the writing process again. Suitable 1-2.30pm Canalside £10/£8 (concs.) Suitable for ages 7+ Exclusive quarterly newsletter Hard to Find Whisky for writers of all disciplines, and for Ticket includes free download of the 11am-12.30pm Centrala £6 for children 15% off any full price purchases at beginners as well as established writers. River Passage app for iPhone. 25% offNine Arches Press books (adults accompany for free) Foyles, Grand Central. 2 for 1 offer on tickets to theRSC 10am-1pm Birmingham Buddhist 10% off any full price purchases at viewing tower Centre £15/£12 (concs.) Waterstones Birmingham

Workshops Workshops Venues With thanks

Walk-Write Roundhouse Writers The full addresses of our event locations are: With thanks to our funders and partners Friday 21 April Mandy Ross writes books for children Take a towpath tour along to the Jewellery and adults, as well as plays and poetry. Arts Council England, Festivals Birmingham, Library of Birmingham, Birmingham Rep, Quarter, stopping to explore hidden gems She is artistic co-director of Secret City Roundhouse 101 St Vincent St, Birmingham B16 8EB Waterstones Birmingham, Big Birmingham Bikes, British Canoeing, B-ROW, Canal & of the canalside, and wander back to Arts which works with community groups River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Roundhouse, Colmore Gate, Centrala Gallery, The Roundhouse for a writing workshop to bring to life the hidden histories of Centrala Unit 4 Minerva Works,158 Fazeley Street, B5 5RT Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Nine Arches Press, The Poetry School, Thinktank, led by Mandy Ross (10am-1pm) or Kurly Birmingham and beyond. Canalside, thestudiobirmingham, and to all the writers and publishers. McGeachie (2pm-5pm). Secret Location – To Be Revealed Kurly McGeachie is a performance Festival Sponsor Cycle-Write poet and rapper, in high demand across Colmore Gate 6 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QX the city for his writing and performing Saturday 22 April workshops. He is a Birmingham Poet Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham Cycle towards Perrot’s Folly, regarded Laureate finalist. by Tolkien fans as a key inspiration for Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2ND his work, returning to The Roundhouse Matt Black lives in Leamington Spa. for a writing workshop led by Matt Black He writes poems for adults and children Birmingham Buddhist Centre 11 Park Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8AB and has worked for 20 years as a writer (10am-1pm) or Kurly McGeachie (2pm- The Door Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP 5pm). Bikes, helmets and ride leaders in schools and the community. He is Festival Friends, Supporters & Benefactors supplied free from Big Birmingham Bikes. currently working on a long poem about Yasmin Ali Narinder Dhami Rachel Hursey Sarah Mullen extreme weather commissioned by the thestudiobirmingham 7 Cannon St, Birmingham B2 5EP You can bring your own bike if you wish, Emma Austin-Jones Ann Dolan Liz Hyder Marjorie Neilson which will be checked for roadworthiness. University of Nottingham. Thinktank Millennium Point, Curzon St, Birmingham B4 7XG Kathryn Azarpay Edward Dunphy Fiona Joseph Gareth Pert Canoe-Write Jo Bell is a former Canal Poet Laureate Matt Black Jenny Durston Frances Kennedy Karen Pincher and currently appears on Nationwide’s Waterstones 24-26 High St, Birmingham B4 7SL Sarah Bookey Lorraine Francis Ian Kennedy Verity Relves Roundhouse Rendezvous Sunday 23 April ‘Voice of the People’ ads. Her poetry Lorraine Boyce Danielle Fuller Abda Khan Martin Sketchley Need some inspiration to get writing? Take to the waterways of Birmingham by collection Kith is published by Nine Canalside 196 Wharfside St, Birmingham B1 1RN Anne Cockitt William Gallagher Nadia Kingsley Jeanette Sheppard Want to explore hidden Birmingham? canoe for a unique perspective on the Arches Press. She is co-writing a handbook for poets - How to be a Poet - Jane Commane Anna & Rob Ganley Sarah Leavesley Philip Monks & Jenny Look no further than our series of city, returning to dry land for a writing and lives on a narrowboat. Stephens creative walks, bike rides and canoe trips workshop at The Roundhouse led by Alys Carolyn Cook Lisa Godsal Neil Lockwood Peter Wakefield developed in partnership with the Canal Fowler (10am-1pm) or Jo Bell (2pm-5pm). Lindsay Davis Jacqueline Grant Amos Mallard Alys Fowler is an award-winning & River Trust, National Trust, Birmingham Workshops for young people at both journalist, regular presenter of BBC Kit De Waal Andrew Hollyhead Paul McDonald Roundhouse, British Canoeing and Big sessions will be led by Garrie Fletcher. Gardeners’ World and Guardian Birmingham Bikes, and delivered by five Canoes and instruction supplied free of columnist. Her new book Hidden Nature fantastic writers. charge from British Canoeing and B-ROW. charts her journey through the canals of First head out on foot, by bike or in Please dress comfortably: we advise Birmingham by canoe. a canoe, then use your adventure to that you don’t wear jeans, you do wear Birmingham Literature Festival is a project of Writing West Midlands. help you write. Each activity will last for trainers, bring a waterproof coat and Garrie Fletcher writes short stories, trousers, and a complete change of Writing West Midlands is the literature development agency for the region. around an hour and the workshops for novels and poems. His collection of short Charity no. 1147710. Supported by Arts Council England. approximately an hour and a half. clothes. The canoes have a weight stories, Night Swimming, has just been www.writingwestmidlands.org. restriction of 17.5 stone. published by Mantle Lane Press. He leads Drinks are provided free of charge but Prices are £20/£16 (concs.) and £10 the Birmingham Young Writers’ Group for Events are suitable for adults and children 14+ unless otherwise stated. please bring a snack to sustain you. for those aged 16 and under Writing West Midlands. Suitable for adults and children aged 8 and over. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.