Authors ~ Storytellers ~ Poets ~ Musicians ~ Acrobats
Discussions ~ Readings ~ Talks ~ Performances
SATURDAY 10th MAY
WRITERS & READERS DAY – book fair, book talk, writers’ chat, and creative writing workshop! Presented in association with Swindon Hub and the Festival of Literature, and sponsored by Thomzo Designs.
Swindon Hub, Upstairs, 36 The Parade SN1 1BA
Tel 07936 474202
10.30am - 4.30pm ~ 10th May ~ Free entry!
A whole day for book lovers, local and regional authors, keen readers, young and old writers, and everyone who likes to connect with others who are into books, reading, and writing, taking place in a beautiful town-centre venue with comfy seating, snacks, and drinks on hand.
The day begins with a BOOK FAIR, with lots of books of all different kinds being sold by the authors. If you are an author who wants a table, please contact hello@thomzodesigns.co.uk.
From start to finish, there will be FRIENDLY PEOPLE from local writing and reading
groups ready to chat with anyone new to writing or looking for a group to join.
At 3pm, there will be a one and a half-hour CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP
with presentation, guidance, and support for new or experienced writers who wish
to improve their writing skills. The workshop will be run by established local author
and experienced writing tutor Judith Cranswick. If you wish to sign up for it in
advance, please visit https://thomzodesigns.co.uk/book-fair or you can register on the
day at the venue.
All day, there will be a warm welcome and HUB & FESTIVAL BUZZ for everyone to
enjoy, created by lovely local writers, readers, and friends of Swindon Hub and the
Swindon Festival of Literature.
Come along and join the literary fun!
Writers & Readers Day is an initiative taken and acted on by Festival followers Judith Cranswick, Zoe Thomas, Penni Seviour, Sarah Young, and Stuart Lloyd Gould, who we thank. For more information, visit: thomzodesigns.co.uk/book-fair
DUNCAN MINSHULL – on walking, writing, wandering, and wondering.
Presented in association with the Richard Jefferies Museum.
Richard Jefferies Museum, Marlborough Road, Coate SN3 6AA
Tel 01793 535534
2.30pm ~ 10th May ~ £10 (£9) Includes cuppa & biscuits
Would you like to take a walk, in a lovely part of Wiltshire, after a lovely cup of tea, with the UK’s ‘laureate of walking’, who along the way will talk about how writers walk the world?
After an introductory chat, a steady one and a half hour walk will start from the Richard Jefferies Museum, the former home of a wonderful Wiltshire man who loved walking, writing, and wondering.
It will be led by former BBC producer of Book of The Week and Book at Bedtime, and now author of books on walking, audio producer, and anthologist Duncan Minshull, who has written extensively in national broadsheets about the joys of walking and wondering. Duncan loves walking and talking, especially with others who like it too. His latest book is Globetrotting: writers walk the world from which he will read en route.
JOANNE RUSH and SAMUEL FISHER – on writing fiction, today.
Arts Centre, Devizes Road SN1 4BJ
Tel 01793 535534
6.30pm ~ 10th May ~ £8 (£7)
Joanne Rush is a short story prize-winner, creative writing consultant, and Cambridge graduate, who loves myth and folklore. Her new book, Dancing on Knives, is a border-crossing novel with its roots in contemporary history. Set in Bosnia, it is a timely exploration of exile, betrayal and the enduring search for home. Near its start is the line, ‘Stories, after all, are only what we bring to the surface. Under it are dreams and monsters.’
Samuel Fisher, author of Wivenhoe, is a writer, bookseller and publisher. He is the owner of Burley Fisher Books in East London and a director of Peninsula Press. His first novel, The Chameleon, won a Betty Trask Award and was longlisted for the Desmond Elliot Prize. His third novel, Migraine, will be published in July 2025.
In a world not unlike our own, which is on the edge of survival, Wivenhoe asks questions. At what point will we admit complicity in our own destruction? If society as we know it is lost, what would we strive to save?
FLASH FICTION SLAM! – hosted by Estelle Phillips, aided by Matt Holland, and enjoyed by YOU!
Arts Centre, Devizes Road SN1 4BJ
Tel 01793 535534
8pm ~ 10th May ~ £8 (£7)
Can you tell a story or convey an idea that can be read or spoken in three minutes or fewer? In less time than it takes to boil an egg, could you plant a new idea or story in a listener’s heart or head?
Note. Flash Fiction is a very short piece of writing. To read or speak it aloud in three minutes or fewer, it would need to be between 300 and 500 words in length, depending on the pace at which you choose to read or speak.
This is what will happen at the third Swindon Flash Fiction Slam!
A running order will be established and competitors will have 3 minutes to present – read out or recite – their flash fiction offering.
From then on, it’s a knockout! Keen but kindly judges, chosen from among the keen and kindly audience, and including Joanne Rush and Samuel Fisher as judge-supremos, will decide who pleases the parts that others cannot reach, who entertains or informs, and who does not.
Just as in all good sporting competitions, there will be a first round, a semi-final, and a final! Though there may well be moments of seriousness, nervousness, and puzzlement, a spirit of wonder, wit, kindness, and good cheer will prevail!
The winner will be crowned third Swindon Flash Fiction Slam Champion and will receive rapturous applause, a shiny cup, a cash prize, a bottle of bubbly, and words of congratulation from our guest judge-supremos.
Cool compere, thinker, and writer in her own right, Estelle Phillips, will maintain good Flash Fiction Slam order, with clear instructions, firm hand, and thoughtful slam smile; and will be ably aided if not abetted by sensible scorer, terrifying timekeeper, and crowd-pleasing prizes-provider Matt Holland.
HOW TO ENTER. Anyone brave, creative, and thoughtful enough, by their own standards, can apply to enter. Please contact the Festival on 01793 771080 or at swindonlitfest@lowershawfarm.co.uk
NOTES. 1. Maximum number of entrants will be eight, so a pre-event sifting procedure may be necessary.
2. Closing date for entries is 30th April. 3. AI-generated entries are not welcome.
