The full programme for next month's City of Wolverhampton Literature Festival has been published.

More than 80 artists and performers will be in action across three days from Friday 26 January to Sunday 28 January.

English novelist, journalist, political commentator and television personality, Will Self, will headline the festival, with events taking place across the city at Wolverhampton's 16 strong network of libraries, art gallery, Bantock House, Archive, and other venues.

The full programme can be viewed at Type=links;Linkid=8045;Title=Wolverhampton Literature Festival;Target=_blank;.

Councillor John Reynolds, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: "The pilot festival in 2017 was made possible by the generous contributions of artists and local businesses and was a great celebration of literature in our city.

"I am pleased that the festival will take place again in 2018.  There is a great variety of entertainment lined up and the aim is to build the event over the next 5 years and make it a permanent fixture in the calendar, after receiving Arts Council England funding up to 2022."

The council is working in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton and Express & Star on the festival.

The 2018 brochure has been designed by graduate Joshua Grice, a freelance designer and maker, and Carlene Davis, a graphic communication student, as part of the university's Challenge Academy.

In conjunction with Write Out Loud and the Express & Star, there is a poetry writing competition for adults inspired by the city's motto - 'Out of darkness cometh light'.

Poets are invited to submit pieces of up to 40 lines on the theme of 'out of darkness' before the deadline of Sunday 31 December, 2017. 

The competition is open to all, with a first prize of £400, and poems will be judged by City of Wolverhampton poet, Emma Purshouse, who said: "I will be searching for those poems that engage with the reader, those poems that people will want to read again and again."

The winners will be announced in advance of the festival itself, giving them the opportunity to read at an awards event during the festival. 

More information is available at Type=links;Linkid=9969;Title=Write Out Loud;Target=_blank;.

  • released: Thursday 21 December, 2017