“And that was summer…” scoffs almost everyone in Britain. Yes, it’s officially autumn now. Forget any hopes of another opportunity to wear flip-flops (unless you’re my neighbour ‘Smoking Guy’ who wears nothing but flip-flops all year round, regardless of the weather) and instead begin engaging in the seemingly endless debate with our partners/housemates/parents/bank balance of should we/shouldn’t we put the central heating on. It’s a tense time of year for everyone, your holiday tan has well and truly faded and the seasonal aisle of the supermarket has replaced the plastic wine-glasses and disposable barbecues with a mash-up of novelty skeletons, fireworks and Christmas decorations. But let’s not get too hung up on the crappy British weather thoroughly out-greying itself because it’s time to get your Slanket on and curl up with a good book. It would appear that it is most definitely the season to get literary as there are loads of literature festivals popping up over the next few weeks.
Saturday saw the kick-off of Wakefield’s very first literature festival which runs until 30th September. With just a week to catch up on some reading, you can then head off to Morley literature festival which runs for ten days beginning 6th October.
If the thought of a literature festival conjures images of people on podiums talking seriously about their leather-bound books and mahogany shelves then fear not, because Morley has a friendly anything-goes approach that appeals to all kinds of readers (saga and high fiction, non-fiction, autobiographies, local authors and children’s writers). In its seventh year, Morley festival creates events that invite discussion between the authors and their audience – and we’re not talking in a stark meeting room with instant coffee and a packet of Jaffa Cakes, we’re talking over dinner or afternoon tea in an array of intimate local settings.
Given my geeky nature, I’m particularly looking forward to a discussion of sci-fi and superhero crossover fiction with David Hine, Adam Christopher, Samit Basu and Justina Robson.
If sci-fi and superheroes aren’t your cup of tea, then you can quite literally have a cup of tea (and some cake and finger sandwiches) and join Victorian author Helen Rappaport for afternoon tea and discussion of the death of Prince Albert and the effect it had on Queen Victoria.
If recent royalty is more your thing, then ITV’s royal correspondent Tim Ewart will be discussing the Queen’s reign during her Jubilee year over a three course lunch.
Morley will also be playing host to Joy Division’s bassist Peter Hook, discussing his memoir about the rise and fall of the band with journalist Dave Simpson.
There’s also a ‘Mini-Morley’ for book enthusiasts who aren’t old enough for debates and discussions, and might enjoy a creative poetry workshop with Conrad Burdekin or a reading of ‘You Can’t Scare a Princess’ with author Gillian Rogerson.
There are also events and projects curated especially for the festival inspired by South Leeds people. Last year, on discovery that Mills & Boon was the most borrowed genre from Morley library, a group of Leeds authors got together and scribed their own Mills & Boon title “Broken Shackles”.
This year, artist and Northern Art Prize 2008 winner Paul Rooney will be screening a video piece which blurs fact and fiction relating to the history of the town at Morley Town Hall throughout the festival.
Jenny Harris, Director of Morley Literature Festival said: “We feel that because Morley is such a warm and friendly community it makes audiences feel comfortable, engaged and, most of all, inspired by the writers, artiss and musicians who come and enjoy the town.”
So let’s not get grumpy over the thermostat, let’s go get involved and have some reading-chat in Morley over a nice cup of tea. Be sure to check out the full programme of events at the Morley Literature Festival website.
