The University of Warwick has created a day of events and workshops on campus, exploring a mini kaleidoscope of written and spoken word (or at least as much as they could fit into a day).
This is an opportunity to bring together inspirational thinkers, authors, journalists and performers to share what’s fresh, controversial and relevant today. There’ll be debates, presentations and workshops looking at writing in its many forms. Our aim is to explore and provoke: in short, to celebrate the vibrancy of language.
Join us for a fun, varied and stimulating day on Wednesday 29th November. All events are FREE but booking is required.
For full details, please download the programme. We are also running specific events for schools
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Public programme highlights
Speed Pitching, 11.00 – 1.00 pm
Opportunity to have 10 minutes in front of our team of top publishers and literary agents. 5 minutes to pitch and 5 minutes for their valuable feedback.
Number are limited so book early to guarantee your place.
Standing up for the Classics – Ancient history and modern life with Natalie Haynes and Michael Scott, 2.00 – 3.00pm
How have the Classics influenced so many different aspects of our everyday lives? Can we really claim that ancient civilisations and words have relevance to us today in a world so fast moving we barely recognise it ourselves?
Owen Sheers with Cortina Butler, 2.30 – 3.30pm
Novelist, Poet and Playwright, Owen Sheers joins Cortina Butler, Director, Literature at the British Council to discuss his work and the challenge and inspiration which come from placing and talking about work internationally.
Fake news and alternative facts: How to fight back with Matthew d’Ancona and Hannah Jones, 3.30 – 4.30pm
Do we live in a time when the art of the lie is shaking the world as we know it? Does the power to evoke feelings now outweigh facts? Why do we believe it and how has this led to the vilification of immigrants; in fact anything that is ‘other’?
The Translators: Translation Duel. 3.45– 4.45pm
Do translators translate words, or ideas and what of the many-layered challenges of translating across cultures as well as language? Expect intriguing discrepancies and heated discussion as Chantal Wright attempts to keep the peace.
The Life of a Book, 4.00 – 5.00pm
Join our team of author (Sarah Moss The Tidal Zone), literary agent (Caroline Michel, PFD) ,editorial director (Sam Eades, Orion) and the dreaded ‘reviewer’ (Andrew Holgate, Sunday Times) for a lively session as they share a candid behind the scenes view of the world of publishing.
Behind the news: meet the journalist, 5.00 – 6.00pm
Meet Matt D’Ancona and leading journalists in an informal Q & A session for a behind the scenes look at journalism.
The 2017 Sunday Times Young Writers Award Shortlist, 5.15 – 6.30pm
Join Andrew Holgate, Literary Editor of The Sunday Times in conversation with the very best in young British fiction and non fiction writing talent.
Come and hear the 2017 shortlist in a special panel event, discussing their work and giving selected readings. This event will bring you up close to the shortlisted authors just days before the winner is announced on 7th December.
The shortlist will be announced on 29th October so check our website for details of our event line-up.
Natalie Haynes – Stand up classicist, 6.30 – 7.30pm
Writer, broadcaster and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics brings her unique combination of stand up comedy and ancient history to Warwick.
Max Porter with Sarah Moss, 6.45 – 7.45pm
Sarah Moss is a Professor on the Warwick Writing Programme and author of The Tidal Zone. Max is her editor at Granta Books whose astonishing debut ‘Grief is the Thing with Feathers’ won the 2016 Sunday Times Young Writers Award amongst others. We turn the tables as Max joins Sarah to discuss his own writing and to give an exclusive reading of his latest work in progress.
Tongue Fu Club Night, 8.30– 10.30pm (this will take place at the Assembly Rooms, Leamington Spa)
Fresh from the stages of Glastonbury and a 5 star run at the Edinburgh Fringe, one of the UK’s leading spoken word shows. Tongue Fu bring together the sharpest poets, storytellers, rappers and musicians to perform with improvised soundtracks from the genre-hopping Tongue Fu band; a riotous experiment in live literature, music and improvisation.
Special guest performers include saxophonist and rapper, Soweto Kinch and performance poet, Jess Green.
