The festival aims to champion the creative voices of Wolverhampton and the West Midlands and provide a platform to showcase their talents.
This year’s line up includes Phil Wang, who is one of the UK’s most exciting stand up comedians. He has hosted BBC's Live at the Apollo and appeared on shows including Have I Got News For You, QI, Would I Lie to You?, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Roast Battle and Taskmaster.
University of Wolverhampton’s Alumni Abi Daré, author of the New York Times bestseller ‘The Girl with the Louding Voice’ will discuss her celebrated and moving debut novel, and acting deputy editor of Harper’s Bazaar, Helena Lee, will be talking about her upcoming publication of East Side Voices, exploring the experiences from the East and Southeast Asian diaspora living in Britain today.
Poetry will also be a part of the festival again with Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonialists presenting the fifth Wolverhampton Literature Festival Poetry Slam.
Punjabi Women Writing Group will deliver an exciting event at Central Library as part of the British Art Show 9 Offsite Programme that hopes to enhance the aspiration of community cohesion and nurture a sense of belonging. Acclaimed Poet Liz Berry and rising star Romalyn Ante will also be performing poetry from their published anthologies at joint event.
This year there is a range of incredible workshops from a Photo Poetry Adventure with Liz Berry and Tom Hicks, to Flash Fiction writing with David Gaffney.
There is also a range of events for children from Storytelling with Amy Douglas to meeting the author Serena Patel writer of ‘Anisha, Accidental Detective: Showstopper’.
It will be an exciting weekend of literature, poetry, prose and storytelling!
City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “The festival is a huge success and a major part of our events programme in the city. In 2021 we reached an international audience and hope to reach them again with the exciting programme we have planned for 2022.
“The festival gives talented people from across Wolverhampton and the West Midlands a platform to showcase their talents, speak about things close to their heart, and break down some of the barriers we face in today’s world.
“I encourage as many people as possible to get involved, whether that be through reading, story writing, poetry or performance based activities.”
Tickets are on sale now. For more information on the festival visit Wolverhampton Literature Festival.
