Birmingham Book Festival

What?  Bringing an eclectic mix of writers from the UK and beyond to the heart of the Midlands, the Festival encourages those interested in literature to read, write and think. The festival was set-up to encourage the city of Birmingham to engage with words – written, read or otherwise. It has evolved into a literature-focused arts organisation which recognises the value of participatory activity, inspirational thinking and creative writing. While its predominant delivery is of writing and reading based activities, it continues to pioneer unusual and innovative arts experiences which connect the West Midland with the communities in its midst.

What Makes Your Festival Unique? B irmingham is not easily identified as a literary city, and is very different from the towns and cities that host some of the UK’s commercially successful literary festivals. The Birmingham Book Festival doesn’t compete with these festivals: it wants to be different.

Who? Lionel Shriver, Jackie Kay (left) , Catherine O'Flynn, John O'Farrell, David Nicholls and Jonathan Coe, Fatima Bhutto Jörg Albrecht, Philip Barclay, David Shukman

When is it? 5 – 21st October 2010

Where? Birmingham City Centre, West Midlands- Exact venues TBC in August

How much? Prices TBC in August

Festival Website: www.birminghambookfestival.org

Telephone for Enquiries? 0121 246 2792

Festival Phiilosophy? "We offer creative use of limited resources and imaginative programming to reflect the diversity of our audiences and the urban landscape that we occupy. We work with, rather than against, the complex environment the city and the region presents. We want to hear everybody’s voice. While we do utilise the typical literature event model, we also like to challenge it, by creating events where the ordinary, intelligent, inquisitive reader is the focus."

It is our experience that the opportunity for discussion and argument – as well as reading, writing and thinking – is an arts experience that is especially important to the people of the West Midlands. It is this that, along with a desire to support the growing professional writing sector in the region, informs the spirit of our yearly programme.

Creative Talent? Sara Beadle- Director, Jonathan Davidson- Associate Director, Joanne Penn- Administrative Assistant

Previous festivals: The Birmingham Book Festival was founded in 1999 and has run throughout the month of October every year since then. Now in its 11th year we also run one off events throughout the year such as our first ever Spring Festival ‘The Spring Thing’ in May 2010.