JUNE 2014 is packed with great events for readers and writers to enjoy in Nottinghamshire, including THREE book festivals.
WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION, June 3
When? Tuesday June 3, 7pm
Where? Nottingham Central Library, Angel Row, Nottingham NG1
6HP
What? Help choose Nottingham’s favourite book from the
Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlist. Hear extracts from the books,
share your views, or just sit back and enjoy the discussion.
Cost? Free
0115 915 2828
OUT OF SILENCE, WITH JOHN HARVEY
When? Wednesday June 4, 7pm-8.30pm
Where? Five Leaves Bookshop, 14a Long Row, Nottingham NG1
2DH
What? Launch Event to mark publication of Out of Silence:
New & Selected Poems (Smith/Doorstop)
Most well-known for his Nottingham Resnick series of crime
books, John Harvey has had a parallel career, if in a minor key, as a poet and
for several years published other poets under his Slow Dancer imprint. With his
third and final collection, Out of Silence: new and selected poems he signs off
by revisiting his poetry over the decades and reading new material for the
first time. John Harvey will be introduced and in discussion with his
publisher, Peter Sansom, from Smith/Doorstop, editor of The North.
Cost? £3 Redeemable on Purchase
Refreshments Provided
MEMOIRS OF A TRAVEL WRITER
When? Thursday June 5, 10.30am
Where? Clifton Library, Southchurch Drive, Clifton, Nottingham,
NG11 8AB
What? Memoirs of a Travel Writer. 50 years in journalism, 15
years as a travel writer. Join Keith Armstrong as he talks about his life as a
travel writer and his experiences roaming the world.
Cost? Free
0115 915 2945
ODOUR OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS, June 5
When? Thursday June 5, 10.30am-2.30pm
Where? Bestwood Winding Engine House site, Park Rd, Bestwood
Village, Nottinghamshire NG6 8TQ
What? Odour of Chrysanthemums – Film screening and Text
Study
Film Screening and Text Study Workshop on DH Lawrence’s
short story “Odour of Chrysanthemums” at the Bestwood Winding Engine House
site. The event is being run by the DH Lawrence Society.
Cost? £5 per person (includes tea, coffee and light
refreshments, plus a visit around the preserved Winding Engine House)
BOLD STROKES BOOK FESTIVAL, June 7/8
When? Saturday June 7, 1pm start, ends Sunday June 8, 2014
Where? Waterstone’s Nottingham, 1/5 Bridlesmith Gate,
Nottingham, NG1 2GR
What? A great weekend of LGBTQ fiction at Waterstone’s.
A bevy of authors will be reading from their latest work,
discussing the nature of writing, and there will be the ever popular Publishing
Panel on the Sunday, over coffee and biscuits.
Hear authors discuss and read from their fiction, then come
down to the Nottingham Writer’s Studio afterwards for an author mingle. On
Sunday get a sneak peak at upcoming novels, then end the amazing weekend with
lunch and giveaways at New Foresters.
Cost? Free admission
AUTHORCRAFT EVENT, June 11
When? Wednesday June 11, 6pm-9pm
Where? Via Fossa, 44 Canal Road, Nottingham NG1 7EH
What? It’s easy these days to get a book published. Making
money from your efforts is not so easy - as many authors will attest.
Authorcraft is a new group for authors and aspiring authors who want to make
more money from publishing. Come and meet fellow authors on the same journey
and meet publishers, Literary Agents and industry experts. A practical, hands
on event, addressing the problems that so many authors experience.
Cost? £15 in advance or pay on the day.
AuthorCraft is a not for profit author support group founded
in 2012 and currently holds events in Nottingham, Stevenage, Croydon, Guildford
and London Euston.
WRITERS’ DAY AT LOWDHAM, June 14
When? Saturday June 14 – all day
Where? The Old Ship Inn, Lowdham, Notts
What? A full day of readings held in The Old Ship’s function
room, with a marquee full of stalls, open mic sessions, a Writing Doctor, and
speed writers in the pub garden. There will also be live music throughout the
day.
Along with writers’ groups from across the country
Weathervane Press authors will be at this Lowdham Fringe event. They will be on
at 5pm as part of the Nottingham Writers' Studio reading.
Cost? Small donations please, to the Old Ship’s charity.
Part of the15th Lowdham Book Festival (20th - 29th June)
CRIME & HISTORY DAY, June 20
When? Friday June 20, 10am-5pm
Where? Richard Bonington Theatre, Arnold, Notts NG5 7EE
What? Gedling Book Festival’s Day One - Crime & History
Day
HELEN HOLLICK 10.30am
A talk by Helen Hollick on ‘Getting good reviews by getting your novel right’.
Helen is an author & the Managing Editor for Historical Novel Society’s
Indie Reviews.
ELIZABETH CHADWICK 11.30am
Elizabeth Chadwick talks about ‘Research and Preconceptions’.
Elizabeth is a best-selling historical fiction author.
STEPHEN BOOTH 1.30pm
Stephen is a best-selling crime writer. His talk and Q&A
will focus on the new book in his Cooper & Fry series, ‘The Corpse Bridge’.
PENNY LUITHLEN 2.30pm
Penny Luithlen is a Literary Agent so this is a great
opportunity for writers to ask questions.
STEVE MOSBY 3pm
Steve Mosby is an award winning Crime Writer. His talk is entitled
‘Nightmare Places: Ideas’.
Cost? Free (no booking required, just turn up to any of the
talks)
Part of the 2nd Gedling Book Festival June 20-22
CHILDREN’S DAY, June 21
When? Saturday June 21, 10am-5pm
Where? Gedling Borough Council Civic Centre, Arnot Hill
Park, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 6LU
What? Gedling Book Festival’s Day Two – Children’s Day. For
adults and children!
PETE JOHNSON 10.15am and 11.45am, Creative writing
JEREMY LEWIS 11am, Writing the news (for all ages)
RAJ PATHAK 12.30pm, Scriptwriting and film direction (for
all ages)
JOHN STIRLAND 2.30PM, The BBC Gardener talks about ‘Growing for
Victory’
KATY PERRY TRIBUTE ACT 3.30pm
Plus storytelling with Cherie Zamazing, sticker fun, face
painting, pebble painting, science for children, magic, creative writing
competition, puppets, book stalls, refreshments.
Cost? Free admission (no booking required, just turn up to
any of the talks).
Part of the 2nd Gedling Book Festival June 20-22
SCI FI/FANTASY DAY, June 22
When? Sunday June 22, 10am-5pm
Where? Gedling Borough Council Civic Centre, Arnot Hill
Park, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 6LU
What? Gedling Book Festival’s Day Three – Sci Fi/Fantasy Day.
For writers and readers!
ALEX DAVIS 10.30am
A creative writing workshop with Alex Davis, events’
organiser, author and Edge-Lit Coordinator.
DAVID HOWE 12.45pm
David is a writer and researcher for Dr Who and the Director
of Telos Publishing. David’s contribution to the range of factual books published
about Doctor Who is staggering. He is undisputedly the most prolific author of
Doctor Who non-fiction ever.
ADAM DALTON 2pm
A creative writing workshop and advice on ‘How to Approach
Publishers’ from the acclaimed dark fantasy author.
Plus STEVE DEAN (Nottingham Fantasy Writer)
SAM STONE (Commissioning Editor, gothic, horror and fantasy
fiction)
Shadow Games Gaming Store, Book Stalls Refreshments
PANEL Q&A 3.45pm
Cost? Free (no booking required, just turn up to any of the
talks or activities).
Part of the 2nd Gedling Book Festival June 20-22
JUST IMAGINE, WITH NICK SHARRATT, June 23
When? Monday June 23, 4.30pm-5.30pm
Where? St. Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Lowdham, Notts
What? Children’s author and illustrator Nick Sharratt’s
entertaining performances are a delight to children (and adults) everywhere. In
this celebration you can be as small as a mouse, as big as a house, explore the
depths of the ocean or travel to the future. A lovely, lively, after-school
event for all the family.
Cost? Tickets £4 adults, £2 children, 2 adults + 2 children
£10, 1 adult + 2 children £6 (includes tea, soft drinks and cake)
0115 9663219
Part of the15th Lowdham Book Festival (20th - 29th June)
AFTERNOON TEA WITH JUDITH ALLNATT, June 24
When? Tuesday June 24, 2pm-4pm
Where? WI Hall, Main Street, Lowdham, Notts
What? Afternoon tea with Judith Allnatt, author of The Moon Field. The Northamptonshire author’s novel The Moon
Field is a wonderful read. Set before, during and after the Great War it
explores the lives and loves lived out of a small community against the
backdrop of a terrible war which destroyed so many.
Cost? Tickets £7, £6 concessions, £5 festival friends
(includes a cream tea)
0115 9663219
Part of the15th Lowdham Book Festival (20th - 29th June)
A PARALLEL LIFE – BONNIE GREER, June 24
When? Tuesday June 24, 7.30pm-9pm
Where? St. Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Lowdham, Notts
What? Bonnie Greer, OBE, is a multi-award winning
playwright, novelist and critic, and a regular contributor to BBC’s Newsnight Review
and Question Time. A Parallel Life is Bonnie’s first volume of memoirs, telling
of her early years in segregated America and her arrival in Britain. She will
be speaking to Giles Croft, Artistic Director at Nottingham Playhouse.
Cost? Tickets £8, £7 concessions, £6 festival friends
(includes a glass of wine)
0115 9663219
Part of the15th Lowdham Book Festival (20th - 29th June)
JOHN HARVEY, June 27
When? Friday June 27, 7.15pm-9pm
Where? St. Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Lowdham, Notts
What? A talk from John Harvey about his final Charlie
Resnick novel Darkness, Darkness.
John will be accompanied throughout the evening by his fabulous jazz band
Second Nature. He’ll also share his love of jazz and talk about his writing
career.
Cost? Tickets £8, £7 concessions, £6 festival friends
(includes a glass of wine)
0115 9663219
Part of the15th Lowdham Book Festival (20th - 29th June)
BOOK FAIR & CAFÉ
When? Saturday June 28, 10am - 5pm
Where? Village Hall, Lowdham, Notts
What? Lowdham, The Last Saturday. A marquee, assorted
gazebos, booksellers, organisations and displays. TWO children’s tents with
interactive storytelling sessions. Plus talks throughout the day:
MICHAEL PAYNE 11am, A short History of Cinema in Nottingham.
Methodist Chapel, Main Street
WILL BUCKINGHAM 11am, Writing East Midlands: What is a
novel? And how do you write one? Committee Room, Village Hall
SARAH DALE 11am, How to Age Well. Marquee A, Village Hall
DAVID BUTTERY 11am, Waterloo… was Napoleon’s defeat good or
bad for Europe? WI Hall, Main Street
ANN FEATHERSTONE & DEBORAH TYLER-BENNETT 12.30pm, The
Days of the Music Hall. Methodist Chapel, Main Street
JOHN LUCAS 12.30pm, A Brief History of Whistling. Committee
Room, Village Hall
CHRISTY FEARN 12.30pm, A talk on Mary Shelley. Marquee A,
Village Hall
SCOTT LOMAX 12.30pm, Medieval Nottingham, an illustrated
talk. WI Hall, Main Street
GILLIAN DARLEY 2pm, An illustrated talk on Ian Nairn. Methodist
Chapel, Main Street
DERRICK BUTTRESS, RENNIE PARKER 2pm, A Shoestring Press
poetry reading. Committee Room, Village Hall
MEGAN TAYLOR, MICHAEL SMITH & ROBERTA DEWA 2PM, Smith
will read from The Deed Room, Dewa
from The Esplanade and Taylor will
introduce her forthcoming collection of short stories The Woman Under the Ground, to be published this summer. Marquee A,
Village Hall
EMMA BAMFORD 2pm, Casting Off. An illustrated talk about
‘letting go’. WI Hall, Main Street
ADRIAN JONES 3.30pm, Towns in Britain, an Illustrated Talk
by ‘Jones the Planner’. Methodist Chapel, Main Street
JOEL STICKLEY 3.30pm, Writing East Midlands: How to Write
Badly Well. WI Hall, Main Street
DANNY RHODES 3.30pm, How one Forest fan’s life was affected
by the Hillsborough Disaster. Marquee A, Village Hall
DUKERIES ACADEMY 3.30pm, with Dukeries Academy First Story
Writers’ Group. Committee Room, Village Hall
Cost? Free, no booking required.
Part of the Lowdham Book Festival (20th - 29th June)