As part of the eclectic and exciting 2010 Words by the Water literature festival at the Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, there will be a special day-long event in the studio on Monday 8th March celebrating the strength and diversity of the region’s writers and independent presses.
The morning session, 11am – 12 noon, features Cumbrian novelist John Murray, one of Britain’s most original and best writers, and an inspiring teacher who has mentored a number of writers who have gone on to be published. In his session Comedy, Culture and Dialect, he talks to Sue Allan on the themes of his latest novel, The Ballad of Liz and Joe. The book is a typical Murray blend of erudition, wit and outright farce, examining love, dreams, money and success – along with a wild epic set in 2018, and entirely in Cumbrian dialect.
The afternoon session, 1.30pm – 5.30pm, is a showcase for some of the best new writing being produced by the Northwest region’s independent presses, and an opportunity to learn about the wider work of those independent presses. Books will be on sale. This event is sponsored by the voluntary arts group Slate.
Poetry Showcase: Flapjack Press presents Jackie Hagan, Gerry Potter and Helen Thomas.
Short Story Showcase: Comma Press presents Zoe Lambert and Annie Clarkson.
Novel Showcase: Literature Northwest presents Jean Ashworth and Brigid Rose.
Surviving as a Writer – publishers Ra Page and Paul Neads lead a discussion with some of the invited writers on the pitfalls and practicalities of surviving as a writer, finding an audience for your work, and, most important of all, developing your voice.
Tickets cost £20 for the day and are available from the box office at Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DJ. Telephone: 017687 74411 or book on-line at www.theatrebythelake.com
Group rates are available, with half price tickets for groups of 10 or more. Please phone the Box Office to book these. Half price young person ‘standby tickets’ are also available, but you must be aged 24 or under (proof of age required) and tickets must be purchased 24 hours or less before the event. However, availability at short notice is not guaranteed.
The festival runs from 5-14 March. A full festival programme can be downloaded from www.wordsbythewater.org.uk
