Libraries in Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Walsall and Dudley have teamed up to host activities throughout the Black Country during Big Book Fortnight, which runs from Saturday (10 May) until Saturday 24 May.
Authors will be reading excerpts from their latest books, while there will also be poetry, storytelling and comedy to entertain audiences of all ages during the festival.
In Wolverhampton, Carol E Wyer, the award-winning author of Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines, will be entertaining visitors to Pendeford Community Hub on Monday (12 May) from 4pm to 5.30pm, while Sathnam Sanghera - author of The Boy with the Top-Knot - will be talking about his career and reading from his new novel Marriage Material at Central Library next Thursday (15 May), between 5pm and 6.30pm.
Acclaimed poet Chris Tutton will be sharing inspirational pieces from his latest book Angles of Repose at Pendeford Community Hub from 2.30pm to 3.45pm on Tuesday 20 May, while Wolverhampton storyteller Peter Chand, known for his fantastic tales of the Punjab, will be spinning stories for a younger audience at Wolverhampton Children's Library this Saturday (10 May) from 2pm to 3pm.
Funny Women - the leading ladies of poetry who are Emma Purshouse, Jane Seabourne and Win Saha - promise big laughs at Bilston Library on Wednesday 21 May from 5pm to 7pm with their blend of poetry and humour.
Tickets for all the events are free and available from the venues on a first come, first served basis.
As well as a host of other activities throughout the Black Country, there will also be a Readers' Afternoon at Dudley Archives and Local History Centre, Tipton Road, Dudley, next Saturday 17 May from 1pm to 4pm.
Organised by the West Midlands Readers' Network, it will give people the chance to meet and quiz authors Nathan Flier, Lindsay Stanberry-Flynn, Amanda Smyth and Kate Long. Tickets are £5 including afternoon tea and a tour of the centre and are available from Wolverhampton's Central Library or by calling 01384 812770.
Tina Campbell, Wolverhampton Library Service's Activities and Events Co-ordinator, said: "We're delighted that we've been able to attract some big names to help us celebrate Big Book Fortnight, the annual celebration of reading across the Black Country.
"The event is now in its 10th year and is going from strength to strength. We hope as many people as possible will take this chance to not only meet their favourite authors but also discover new books to enjoy."
- released: Thursday 8 May, 2014