Twenty-first Swindon Festival of Literature
5th - 17th May 2014

Following last May’s terrific twentieth Festival plans are now underway for the twenty-first Swindon Festival of Literature, which will run from 5th - 17th May 2014.

Once again, Festival frolics will begin at dawn on that beautiful ridge in Lawn Woods, overlooking Swindon, at 5.30am on Spring Bank Holiday Monday 5th May, with the ever-popular Dawn Chorus, where Festival-following early-birds will gather with Spring songs, sunrise stories, verbal and physical acrobatics, music, Maypole dancing, hot breakfasts, plus a good deal of other early-morning merriment and mischief!

During the subsequent 12 days, authors and speakers appearing at venues in town will include established names not only from the world of Literature, including novelists and poets, but also from politics, science, philosophy, and even comedy.

Authors booked to appear include John Carey, Ann Widdecombe, Jonathon Porritt, Jacqueline Wilson, Carole Blake, Nick Cohen, Alexandra Heminsley, Kate Adie, Stefan Collini, Alex Bellos, Tracey Thorn, Lisa Appignanesi, Bee Wilson, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Rachel Cooke, Oliver James, Frederic Gros, Laurens de Groot, Philip Davis, and Nathan Filer.

Of course, in true Swindon Festival of Literature tradition, it will not just be published names that make this festival a high spot on Wiltshire’s cultural calendar.

During the 13 days of the Festival, described by John Carey as ‘terrific’, by Joan Bakewell as ‘delightful’, by John Major as ‘punctual’, by Jon Snow as ‘a real surprise’, and by Shaun B as ‘comparable to sex’, there will also be the first-day Walk & Run in the Park, the now nationally-famous Swindon Performance Poetry Slam competition, the schools’ Youth Slam, a bookish weekend for Children & Families, the fifth-ever philosophical Think Slam, a Writing Workshop, and the oh-so-exciting Poems, Pints, & Music Finale, plus a wide range of literary talks, discussions, and readings at main theatres, arts venues, libraries, schools, pubs, parks, and even in an ex-cowshed, in Swindon!

Festival Director Matt Holland says “The Festival’s profile and reputation continue to grow. It has become a veritable festival of ideas. Each year it attracts new writers, terrific speakers, and a larger following. At every level, it has become a fantastic celebration for Swindon of things well written and things well said.”

He added, “It offers experiences for everyone that make life memorable. People of all ages and backgrounds have a very good time. They get together, meet authors, join in lively talk, explore new ideas, and even have a laugh. It is all very exciting!”

The 2014 Swindon Festival of Literature will be made possible by funding from Arts Council England, South West, whose support represents recognition of the good things that have been achieved in Literature development in Swindon.

Financial support is also provided by Dominic Winter Book Auctions; Swindon Borough Council’s Culture Swindon & Artswords; the Council’s Adult and Families Learning Project; and Lower Shaw Farm; plus valuable support and assistance from the Swindon Advertiser, the Link Magazine, Acorn Press, Waterstone’s, Pen & Paper Bookshop, Friends of the Festival, as well as a host of other local organisations and individuals.

It is heartening that all these people see the value of a festival of Literature in Swindon!

The new website will go up at midday on 20th March; and the full-colour 36-page Festival programme will be unveiled at midday on Thursday 20th March 2014 at Swindon’s prize-winning Central Library.