West London Literary Festival
Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September 2008
Acton Green, Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick W4
11am - 6pm
Free
Following the success of its debut in 2007, the Literary Festival is back to tantalise our imaginations, evoke emotions, get ears buzzing and tongues wagging.
Story-telling, poetry and recitals provide enjoyment and entertainment for all the family. There will also be a special guest appearance by Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion.
Author talks, workshops and spoken word performances will bring many pleasant surprises and enlightenment making up a lively weekend celebrating the written word.
Saturday 6 September
Main tent
11am-1pm: Paul Strathern and Adam Zamoyski: Napoleon Hero or Monster
1pm-2pm: The Write Fantastic- Sarah Ash, Jessica Rydill, Chaz Brenchley, Deborah Miller: Reading, Q&A and Book Signing
2pm-3pm: Andrew Motion: Reading, Q&A and Book Signing
3pm-4pm: Richard Briers in conversation with Torin Douglas - Desert Island Books
4pm-5pm: Michele Hanson: Reading, Q&A and book signing
5pm-6pm: Anthony Joseph and Ronnie McGrath - best of avant-garde black poetry
Community tent
11am-1pm: Team Read medal ceremony (children)
All children who complete the reading challenge will get a free book, donated by Random House publishers, and meet Olympic swimming hopefuls Charlie Turner and Natalie Durrant.
1pm-2pm: Maureen Colledge. Tin hats, food rations and dark secrets – homefront Acton in WWII, Acton History Group
2pm-4pm: The business of publishing. Meet publishers - Dr Joan Anim- Addo and Verna Wilkins, who will help you take your writing to the next level.
4pm-6pm: Kate Buchanan - Readings from the Off the Page writing group. (This act contains adult themes which may not be suitable for under-14s.)
Children’s storytelling
11am-1pm: Kevin Graal- Round and Round the Garden. Get your free bookstart pack and join in the baby and toddler fun.
1pm–2pm: Kellie Strøm – Reading and Q&A
2pm-3pm: Francesca Beard: Animal Olympics
3pm– 4pm: James Campbell – Comedy for kids
4pm-5pm: Theatre Studio West – Performers will prepare short pieces and the audience will have the opportunity to direct, redirect and create the scene the way they see it
5pm–6pm: Dean Carter – Reading and Q&A
Workshops
Spread the Word presents Lite Bites
Do you have an appetite for writing? Whether you’ve wondered how to start writing, had a short story buzzing in your head for a long time, or if you simply want to start squeezing the creative juices, this tray of taster workshops is for you. Simply turn up, sign up, and have a taste. Open to everyone aged 16 and over.
11.30am-12.30pm: Tapping the Creative Current with Cath Drake. Tap into your creativity – stimulate your senses all to help you get writing
1.30pm-3pm: Starting Shorts with Jermey Sheldon. A practical workshop to feed your imagination and get you started on writing a short story.
3.30pm-5pm: Poetry Snaps. Discover your poetic voice in this afternoon workshop led by poet and educationalist Nick Makoha. Arrive with an idea and leave with a poem!
Spread the Word will also be offering advice and information for people interested in writing throughout the day.
Ealing Arts and Leisure Tent
11am-2pm: A Miscellany of Members: Ealing Arts and Leisure membership displaying and presenting a hugely diverse variety of activities from music to muscle-toning, drama to drawing, poetry to pottery, arts and crafts and the great outdoors!
3pm-4pm: Hosting Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate reading of selected poetry from the Ealing Arts Poetry Competition.
4pm-5pm: Liberty: A Rainbow Poetry Recital of published poetry on this theme devised and introduced by Hugh Hellicar, administrator of the Rainbow Poetry Movement.
5pm-6pm: Pop Upp Theatre: Pop in and see what Pop Upp gets upp too with rehearsed play readings.
Sunday 7 September
Main tent
11am–12pm: Bettany Hughes - The 300: the truth behind the story. Talk and Q&A.
12pm-1pm: Tom Holland: talk and Q&A
1pm–2pm: Buchi Emecheta: Q&A and Book Signing
2pm–3pm: Rose Collis: Reading, Q&A and Book Signing
3pm–4pm: Siobhan Curham – So You Want To Get Published Reading, Q&A and Book Signing
4-6pm: War reporting debate: David Loyn and James McManus
Community tent
11am-12.15pm: Tonya Blowers: Write Here, Write Now! (Part One)
12.45-2pm: Tonya Blowers: Write Into Fiction (Part Two)
2pm–3pm: Pitshanger Poets: Poetry Reading
3pm–4pm: Ealing’s Big Read All local reading groups and readers are invited to discuss A Saucerful of Secrets with the author Jane Yardley.
4pm–5pm: Top poet Chris Tutton will host West London’s Poetry Slam. Your chance to perform your own poetry and get some tips on how to wow the audience. Arrive early to sign up.
Children’s storytelling area
11am-12pm: Michele Messaoudi
12pm–1pm: Chinese Dance Workshops – Led by Sinman Dance Company
1.30pm-2pm: Neil Zetter
2pm–3pm: Akuba: Reading
3pm–4pm: Aiden Potts – Reading, Q&A and Book Signing
4pm-5pm: Akuba: Reading
Workshop tent
11.30am–1pm/3.30pm–5pm: Neal Zetter
Whether you have written poetry before or not, you’ll find it fun in these Olympic and sporting themed poetry workshops.
1.30pm–3pm: Chris Tutton
If you want to learn how to perform your own poetry, come along to this session to find out where to start.
Ealing Arts and Leisure Tent
11am-12pm: More of a Miscellany of Members
Ealing Arts and Leisure once more displaying and presenting a diverse variety of activities from among its membership.
12-1pm Come and read a play: Workshop play reading open to all-comers and led by Bernice Wolfenden.
1pm-2pm The Ealing Arts Literary Luncheon: Poor poets whet their appetites with words alone! Readings of writing about food - a lunch packed with everything but the food itself and served up by Gillian Spragg and friends.
2pm-3pm Middlesex: A Rainbow Poetry Recital of published poetry on the county Ealing is rooted in, devised and introduced by Don Kennedy, Ealing and Hanwell branch of the Rainbow Poetry Movement.
3pm-4pm Pop Upp Theatre
4pm-6pm Ealing Arts and Leisure Finale: Fanfares and farewells in words and music.
Download Literary Festival leaflet (pdf)
Ealing Mobile Library
11am-6pm, both days
Come along join the library, DVDs to hire, local information and much more. Enter the library quiz.
Activities at Central Library
Tuesday 2 September, 6.30pm - Michelene Wandor
Wednesday 3 September, 6.30 pm - Jonathan Oates
Thursday 4 September, 6.30pm - Purple Poets
Programme coordinated by Martha Lambert.
All information correct at time of publishing. Please note that artist and programme details may change at short notice due to illness or other unavoidable circumstances.
