Writers, readers, story-tellers and poets will be heading to Penzance this July for ‘the best Lit Fest in the West’; mingling with residents, holiday-makers and visitors to share in the joy of words – spoken, written and sung. For further information visit penzance-literary-festival.org.uk and to book tickets go to crbo.co.uk/events.php?evGrp=125

penznaze-lit-feat-logoPenzance Litfest 2014 is delighted to announce a very strong line up for this year’s festival which includes Debbie Horsfield and Karen Thrussell, writer and executive producer respectively, for the Mammoth Screen/BBC TV’s new production of POLDARK which is presently being filmed in Cornwall and the West Country.

There are over eighty sessions scheduled across the five days including Robyn Young in conversation with Jane Johnson on Scottish Independence, 13th Century Style; Edward Wilson, writer of extraordinary spy thrillers, talking about his work, and his special insight into the mind of the spy; Anna Wilson and Jamie Thompson filling the Acorn with parents and children on Sunday 20th; and brilliant evening entertainment. Litfest favourites, the Bookshop Band are back with their homage to the greatest of them all, Mr William Shakespeare; there will be a Big Lit Charity Quiz with question-master Patrick Gale; and a very special production, ‘In Flanders Fields’, on Saturday night.

Penzance’s own historic cinema, the Savoy, is screening the original 1972 film of Under Milkwood on Tuesday 15th July. Multi-award winning poet and playwright, John Greening, will be sharing his poetry, and will be contributing to the Creative Writing strand.  This year, the strand will include both beginner and advanced level workshops, as well as tips on how to get published, software for writers and the effective use of social media for authors.

Penzance is fortunate to be home to many excellent writers, artists and musicians and the Litfest always likes to showcase people working and living in West Cornwall. With poets like Diana Dixon and the Ladies First; performances from, amongst others, The Acorn Young Peoples Theatre Group, the Wireless Ensemble, and the John Daniel Centre; and talks of local interest from the sinking of the Dalrymple to the plays of Reverend Bernard Walke there should be something on the schedule for everyone.

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And last, but very much not least, Littlefest this year is turbo-charged. Events during school hours on weekdays are aimed at school audiences; there are also after-school sessions and Saturday activities, for children, young adults and parents, and for aspiring writers of children’s stories. Plus, we have a very special guest. In association with the Edge of the World Bookshop, the Gruffalo is coming to town! He will be hosting a teaparty on Friday afternoon at The Exchange.

In this, the fifth year, the Acorn will once again be the Festival Hub, with the downstairs cafe/bar providing the social centre for meeting up with friends and finding out about the day’s activities.

If you would like to volunteer be part of this year’s Litfest please make contact via facebook, twitter @penzancelitfest, or by emailing info@pz-litfest.org.uk.

To keep updated, sign up for the newsletter on https://penzance-literary-festival.org.uk/. Tickets are on sale from crbo.co.uk/events.php?evGrp=125 and in person from:

Welcome to West Cornwall Centre, Station Approach, Penzance TR18 2NF,The Acorn, Parade St, Penzance TR18 4BU and St. Ives Visitor Information Centre.