CLECKHEATON LITERATURE FESTIVAL is back for 2016 - twice as big and twice as exciting! There are familiar faces - due to popular demand - and lots of new stuff too.
I'm delighted that my friend, Andy Kershaw, has agreed to return for a second year, this time in conversation with Martin Webster. Andy will be putting on his foreign correspondent hat to talk about his travels to some of the world's most dangerous countries, sharing his passion for manned space flight, and finishing off the evening with an open question and answer session. (Cleckheaton Town Hall, Sunday 1st May. Tickets £12)
The Festival is spread over two weekends this year: 21st - 24th April and 28th April-1st May. Just for starters, here's a full list of events. Further details of each event will follow.
Thursday 21 April
10-12 Iain Pattison Short Story Workshop - £6
1-3 Clive Dale Children's Story-Building Class £4
Local children’s writer (works include Clive the Magic Camel, At the Zoo and Johnny and the Rice Pudding) www.goodreads.com/author/show/7035116.Clive_Dale Creative Writing workshop
Local children’s writer (works include Clive the Magic Camel, At the Zoo and Johnny and the Rice Pudding) www.goodreads.com/author/show/7035116.Clive_Dale Creative Writing workshop
1-3 Iain Pattison Horror/fantasy Workshop - £6
4-6 Alison Taft Committing the Perfect Murder - crime
writing workshop - £6
Committing the Perfect Murder
How do crime writers heighten and sustain tension? What role does pace play in a good thriller? What do you need to plan the perfect murder? And can you get away with it?
Amazon award winning author, Alison Taft brings us a crime writing workshop.
Alison’s first novel, “Our father, who art out there… somewhere!” was published by Caffeine Nights in 2011. It was described as ‘a feisty chick noir romp’ by Waterstones. You can read reviews of it by About My Area and Leeds Student and also on Amazon.
The idea for it was sparked by her own unrewarding search for a reluctant birth father. The anger she felt when he refused to have any contact with her was like rocket fuel and the book is where it took her. She describes the process as a rocky old ride but one she’s really grateful for. “I know there’s a lot of people out there whose parent(s) have failed to show up and if my book helps even one of them, it’s all been worthwhile.”
Her second novel, ‘I Know Why Your Mother’s Crazy‘ has just been published by Circa (Nov. 2012.) It follows a group of friends through the trials and tribulations of life, love, middle age madness and babies and has been described as ‘hysterical, tender and moving.’
Alison is currently putting the finishing touches to her third novel ‘Shallow Be Thy Grave’, which is the sequel to Our Father, Who Art Out There…Somewhere. It follows the adventures of Lily Appleyard as she races across Europe to find her half-sister, Fiona.
Committing the Perfect Murder
How do crime writers heighten and sustain tension? What role does pace play in a good thriller? What do you need to plan the perfect murder? And can you get away with it?
Amazon award winning author, Alison Taft brings us a crime writing workshop.
Alison’s first novel, “Our father, who art out there… somewhere!” was published by Caffeine Nights in 2011. It was described as ‘a feisty chick noir romp’ by Waterstones. You can read reviews of it by About My Area and Leeds Student and also on Amazon.
The idea for it was sparked by her own unrewarding search for a reluctant birth father. The anger she felt when he refused to have any contact with her was like rocket fuel and the book is where it took her. She describes the process as a rocky old ride but one she’s really grateful for. “I know there’s a lot of people out there whose parent(s) have failed to show up and if my book helps even one of them, it’s all been worthwhile.”
Her second novel, ‘I Know Why Your Mother’s Crazy‘ has just been published by Circa (Nov. 2012.) It follows a group of friends through the trials and tribulations of life, love, middle age madness and babies and has been described as ‘hysterical, tender and moving.’
Alison is currently putting the finishing touches to her third novel ‘Shallow Be Thy Grave’, which is the sequel to Our Father, Who Art Out There…Somewhere. It follows the adventures of Lily Appleyard as she races across Europe to find her half-sister, Fiona.
7-9 Crime Panel with Leigh Russell, Alison Taft and Helen Cadbury - £7
Three crime writers discuss their work and why they turned to crime, with readings and an opportunity to ask questions. The writers will also be available to sign books and meet readers after the event.
Helen Cadbury is a British crime writer whose debut, To Catch a Rabbit, was joint winner of the Northern Crime Competition 2012. First published by Moth Publishing, it was re-released in a new edition by Allison & Busby in January 2015 and selected as an Amazon Rising Star. WHSmith readers voted To Catch a Rabbit as no. 12 in top crime books they would like to see on screen and in October 2015, it was selected as one of the Yorkshire Post’s top 13 Yorkshire books since the millennium. Her second novel, Bones in the Nest, was published by Allison and Busby in July 2015 and both books were recently optioned for TV by Red Planet Pictures. Before turning to writing fiction, Helen was a professional actor and teacher, including several years teaching in the prison service. She also writes poetry and plays.
After many years teaching English in secondary school, internationally bestselling author Leigh Russell now writes crime fiction full time for No Exit Press. Published in English and in translation throughout Europe, her Geraldine Steel and Ian Peterson titles have appeared on many bestseller lists, including #1 on kindle. Leigh's work has been nominated for several major awards, including the CWA New Blood Dagger and CWA Dagger in the Library, and her series are in development for television with Avalon Television Ltd.
Journey to Death, set in the Seychelles, is the first title in her Lucy Hall series published by Thomas and Mercer.
Friday 22nd April
10-12 John Irving-Clarke Children's Poetry Workshop - £4
Poet, short story writer and YA novelist. Writing, creative arts and spoken word workshop leader. All workshops geared towards taking pleasure and boosting self esteem through creative expression. www.authorsalouduk.co.uk/john-irving-clarke Poetry workshop
Poet, short story writer and YA novelist. Writing, creative arts and spoken word workshop leader. All workshops geared towards taking pleasure and boosting self esteem through creative expression. www.authorsalouduk.co.uk/john-irving-clarke Poetry workshop
1-3 Justina Robson YA (Young Adult) workshop - £6
4-6 TBC
7-9 Luke Wright performance poet - What I Learned from
Johnny Bevan - £9
Luke Wright and Paul Jellis present
What I Learned From Johnny Bevan
Written & performed by Luke Wright
WINNER Fringe First Award for new writing
WINNER The Stage Award for acting excellence
A story of shattered friendship, class ceilings, and the hollow reality of the New Labour dream.
At university the whip-smart, mercurial Johnny Bevan saves Nick, smashing his comfortable, middle class bubble and firing him up about politics, music and literature. Twenty years later, as their youthful dreams disintegrate with the social justice they hoped for, can Nick save Johnny from himself?
Luke Wright delivers a multi award-winning hurricane of a performance. With humour and humanity he takes British politics head on, challenging the rise of New Labour, David Cameron and the abandonment of those left behind.
"Pulsating, neatly handled piece of poetic storytelling” ★★★★ Lyn Gardner, Guardian
“Blistering … a story of our times … a strikingly assured performance of a compelling piece of writing.” ★★★★ Scotsman
"This is such a rich piece of writing... resonant and timely.” ★★★★★ Exeunt
Luke Wright and Paul Jellis present
What I Learned From Johnny Bevan
Written & performed by Luke Wright
WINNER Fringe First Award for new writing
WINNER The Stage Award for acting excellence
A story of shattered friendship, class ceilings, and the hollow reality of the New Labour dream.
At university the whip-smart, mercurial Johnny Bevan saves Nick, smashing his comfortable, middle class bubble and firing him up about politics, music and literature. Twenty years later, as their youthful dreams disintegrate with the social justice they hoped for, can Nick save Johnny from himself?
Luke Wright delivers a multi award-winning hurricane of a performance. With humour and humanity he takes British politics head on, challenging the rise of New Labour, David Cameron and the abandonment of those left behind.
"Pulsating, neatly handled piece of poetic storytelling” ★★★★ Lyn Gardner, Guardian
“Blistering … a story of our times … a strikingly assured performance of a compelling piece of writing.” ★★★★ Scotsman
"This is such a rich piece of writing... resonant and timely.” ★★★★★ Exeunt
Saturday 23 April
10-12 Gillian Rogerson Self-publishing workshop - £5
Learn about the self-publishing business from the things you should do before you publish your book to the most effective ways to market your published book. The talk will include ways to work out where to place your book in the Amazon marketplace, and how your book cover should look depending on your chosen genre. Details of useful software will be given, including one that allows you to 'spy' on your competition and see how many books they are selling each day, and how much they are earning.
Gillian Rogerson has been publishing books for the last 15 years, both traditionally published books and self-published ones. She writes children's books under her own name, and mystery books under her pen name of Gillian Larkin. Since going down the self-publishing route, Gillian has been able to achieve her dream of giving up her day job and becoming a full-time author.
Gillian's websites are : www.gillianrogerson.net and www.gillianlarkin.co.uk
Learn about the self-publishing business from the things you should do before you publish your book to the most effective ways to market your published book. The talk will include ways to work out where to place your book in the Amazon marketplace, and how your book cover should look depending on your chosen genre. Details of useful software will be given, including one that allows you to 'spy' on your competition and see how many books they are selling each day, and how much they are earning.
Gillian Rogerson has been publishing books for the last 15 years, both traditionally published books and self-published ones. She writes children's books under her own name, and mystery books under her pen name of Gillian Larkin. Since going down the self-publishing route, Gillian has been able to achieve her dream of giving up her day job and becoming a full-time author.
Gillian's websites are : www.gillianrogerson.net and www.gillianlarkin.co.uk
1-3 Doctor Who Panel with Mark Wright (other writer/s
TBC) - £6
Mark Wright – Freelance writer, journalist and sub-editor, writes audio dramas, short stories and comic strips based on popular franchises including Doctor Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Highlander and Robin Hood, and also works as a script editor and producer of audio drama www.markwrightwriter.co.uk part of our Dr Who panel
Mark Wright – Freelance writer, journalist and sub-editor, writes audio dramas, short stories and comic strips based on popular franchises including Doctor Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Highlander and Robin Hood, and also works as a script editor and producer of audio drama www.markwrightwriter.co.uk part of our Dr Who panel
4-6 A Firm of Poets - £5
7-9 TBC
Sunday 24 April
10-12 Ian C Douglas World-building Workshop - £6
1-3 Ian C Douglas YA Workshop - £6
Ian C Douglas (all age ranges, sci-fi) – Writer of The Infinity Trap and Gravity’s Eye, he has an MA in Creative Writing (Distinction) and his prize-winning stories include The Universe in Amber, winner of the Meridian Writing Competition (autumn 2012) and Making Grampie, winner of the first ever Short Story Radio competition. www.iandouglas-writer.com/ Creative Writing workshops
Ian C Douglas (all age ranges, sci-fi) – Writer of The Infinity Trap and Gravity’s Eye, he has an MA in Creative Writing (Distinction) and his prize-winning stories include The Universe in Amber, winner of the Meridian Writing Competition (autumn 2012) and Making Grampie, winner of the first ever Short Story Radio competition. www.iandouglas-writer.com/ Creative Writing workshops
4-6 TBC
Thursday 28 April
10-12 James Nash Schools Poetry Event - £6
Local poet, teacher and writer (works include Four Fathers and Deadly Sensitive) www.jamesnash.co.uk Poetry Workshop
'Before the Second World War, there were around seventy cinemas operating in Leeds. Now, though some remain open, most of these ‘forgotten temples’ have been repurposed or demolished.
Since 2014, Leeds-based poets James Nash and Matthew Hedley Stoppard have been visiting the sites of legendary picture-houses, and documenting their current status with two inimitable, unmistakable poetic voices – whilst also considering the remarkable shared (yet personal) experience that is cinema-going.
So sit down on a spring-loaded chair, grab some popcorn, and enjoy one of the most original, evocative poetry collections since the invention of technicolour...'
Local poet, teacher and writer (works include Four Fathers and Deadly Sensitive) www.jamesnash.co.uk Poetry Workshop
'Before the Second World War, there were around seventy cinemas operating in Leeds. Now, though some remain open, most of these ‘forgotten temples’ have been repurposed or demolished.
Since 2014, Leeds-based poets James Nash and Matthew Hedley Stoppard have been visiting the sites of legendary picture-houses, and documenting their current status with two inimitable, unmistakable poetic voices – whilst also considering the remarkable shared (yet personal) experience that is cinema-going.
So sit down on a spring-loaded chair, grab some popcorn, and enjoy one of the most original, evocative poetry collections since the invention of technicolour...'
10-12 Steve Moore creative writing workshop: Structure
and Introduction to a story's principal characters - £6
1-3 Jason Hewitt author talk (new book Devastation Road) - £6
4-6 Steve Moore author talk (Road to Publication - self-published book The Washington Adventure) - £6
7-9 TBC
Friday 29 April
10-12 Jason Hewitt creative writing workshop: Building
Characters - 10 Practical Steps - £6
4-6 Barbara Henderson Short Fiction Masterclass - £6
‘A short story is something that you can hold in your mind. You can really analyse how the entire thing works, like a machine’ - Chuck Palahniuk.
New writers are often keen to cut their teeth on short fiction – but there are specific skills involved in crafting a satisfying short story. In this practical two-hour session, author Bea Davenport will guide you through plotting, structure and characterisation to create a story that readers will remember.
Bea Davenport is the writing name of former BBC journalist Barbara Henderson. Bea is a four-times published author for adults and children. Her two crime novels, In Too Deep (2013) and This Little Piggy (2014), are published by Legend Press. Her debut children’s novel, The Serpent House, was written as part of a Creative Writing PhD and published in 2014 by Curious Fox. Her latest children’s book, My Cousin Faustina (2015), was written as an interactive e-book for reluctant readers and is now in paperback with ReadZone Books. She has won several short story prizes. She is Programme Leader in Creative Writing for the Open College of the Arts.
‘A short story is something that you can hold in your mind. You can really analyse how the entire thing works, like a machine’ - Chuck Palahniuk.
New writers are often keen to cut their teeth on short fiction – but there are specific skills involved in crafting a satisfying short story. In this practical two-hour session, author Bea Davenport will guide you through plotting, structure and characterisation to create a story that readers will remember.
Bea Davenport is the writing name of former BBC journalist Barbara Henderson. Bea is a four-times published author for adults and children. Her two crime novels, In Too Deep (2013) and This Little Piggy (2014), are published by Legend Press. Her debut children’s novel, The Serpent House, was written as part of a Creative Writing PhD and published in 2014 by Curious Fox. Her latest children’s book, My Cousin Faustina (2015), was written as an interactive e-book for reluctant readers and is now in paperback with ReadZone Books. She has won several short story prizes. She is Programme Leader in Creative Writing for the Open College of the Arts.
7-9 TBC
Saturday 30 April
10-12 Barbara Henderson Writing for Children Masterclass - £6
Everyone remembers the stories they loved when they were young – and we’re in a new ‘golden age’ for children’s books. But writing for children needs a range of skills and considerations that mean it’s far from child’s play! Published children’s author Bea Davenport will help you through questions of language, content, age ranges and markets in a two-hour writing-led workshop.
Everyone remembers the stories they loved when they were young – and we’re in a new ‘golden age’ for children’s books. But writing for children needs a range of skills and considerations that mean it’s far from child’s play! Published children’s author Bea Davenport will help you through questions of language, content, age ranges and markets in a two-hour writing-led workshop.
12-1 Theatre performances The Love Project & Dough - FREE
Creative scene* is the Creative People and Places programme for North Kirklees, West Yorkshire, a three-year arts and social change initiative funded by Arts Council England, developed and led by a consortium including Lawrence Batley Theatre, Kirklees Council and Batley Festival. The programme sets out to develop sustainable approaches to engage new audiences and participants in the arts in parts of the country where people’s involvement is significantly below the national average. www.creativescene.org.uk/ Two specially commissioned arts performances
Creative scene* is the Creative People and Places programme for North Kirklees, West Yorkshire, a three-year arts and social change initiative funded by Arts Council England, developed and led by a consortium including Lawrence Batley Theatre, Kirklees Council and Batley Festival. The programme sets out to develop sustainable approaches to engage new audiences and participants in the arts in parts of the country where people’s involvement is significantly below the national average. www.creativescene.org.uk/ Two specially commissioned arts performances
1-3 Alison Lock author talk (new book Maysun and the
Wingfish) - £6
3-4 Theatre performances The Love Project & Dough - FREE
4-6 Julie Pryke - Telling Tales - £4
Self-published local children’s writer whose book ‘Telling Tales’ encourages grand/parents to tell stories and read to children www.smashwords.com/profile/view/juliepryke Reading/workshop
Self-published local children’s writer whose book ‘Telling Tales’ encourages grand/parents to tell stories and read to children www.smashwords.com/profile/view/juliepryke Reading/workshop
7-9 Crime Panel with David Mark and Nick Quantrill
(interviewed by James Nash) - £7
Nick Quantrill was born and raised in Hull, an isolated industrial city in the north east of England. His Joe Geraghty trilogy of crime novels are published by Caffeine Nights. “The Dead Can’t Talk” follows May 2016. A prolific short story writer, Nick’s work has appeared in various volumes of “The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime”. www.nickquantrill.co.uk
Nick Quantrill was born and raised in Hull, an isolated industrial city in the north east of England. His Joe Geraghty trilogy of crime novels are published by Caffeine Nights. “The Dead Can’t Talk” follows May 2016. A prolific short story writer, Nick’s work has appeared in various volumes of “The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime”. www.nickquantrill.co.uk
Sunday 1 May
7-LATE Andy Kershaw in Conversation with Martin Webster (Cleckheaton
Town Hall) - £12
Tickets are available from: www.ticketsource.co.uk/cleckheatonliteraturefestival
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