About Literary Leicester
The University of Leicester's annual festival of literature, featuring free lectures, talks, readings and workshops for all ages.
Literary Leicester Description
Brought to you by University of Leicester’s School of Arts, Literary Leicester is among the city’s leading annual festivals of the written and spoken word.
Now in its tenth year, the festival brings together a wealth of award-winning and renowned writers from many different fields. Join us and other literature lovers from the region for a number of exciting and stimulating sessions: all completely free! From Booker Prize-winning novelists to world-leading historians, famous children’s authors to topical subjects like the centenary of the First World War: Literary Leicester really does offer something for everyone.
Our vibrant and dynamic Fringe events also offer fascinating insights into research at the University, present local authors and works in performance, showcase new writing commissions, and much more.
Between events, you will have a chance to meet the writers, buy books and have them signed, catch a coffee or a glass of wine, and browse the exhibitions in our award-winning University Library.
We hope you will join us and share our passion for literature, in what promises again to be a fantastic festival.
Reviews
Literary Leicester and Dare to Diva are extremely proud to celebrate the life of Ntozake Shange on December 21st. An event not to be missed.
LITERARY LEICESTER IS BACK! We are overjoyed to present this fabulous event on Sat 17th November at 5pm. One of the UK's leading poets, Kei Miller, and marvelous local author, Kerry Young, discuss how Kingston, Jamaica is represented in literature. Readings and book-signings also feature. As with all LL events, this is completely FREE. To guarantee a seat, please send the organizer, Lucy, an email.
After 10 glorious years, we are very sorry to say the festival must close its literary doors. We hope you enjoyed all those years of high quality, free events.
You'll find podcasts of past highlights on the Centre for New Writing website: https://soundcloud.com/artshumlaw
Do keep a link to this space, however, as we travel in hope the festival may be revived in future years.
... For now, keep reading, keep writing, and let's all continue to celebrate Leicester's dynamic literary environment, in all its many forms.
Adieu...
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Literary Leicester may be over but there's plenty to look forward to!
On 6th Dec, Kate Summerscale, the author of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, Mrs Robinson's Disgrace, and The Wicked Boy, will be discussing her fascination with crime in the Victorian age, the emergence of the figure of the detective, and how she researches and writes her award winning books.
This is a free lecture organised by the Victorian Studies centre, which will be followed by a wine reception.
... No need to book.
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Thank you to everyone who came to Literary Leicester 2017 and made it the roaring success that it was. Get the 2018 dates in your diary now!
Historian and broadcaster David Olusoga discusses his multi-award winning book, Black and British: A Forgotten History, . Book your tickets now: https://goo.gl/cMiwUK
Acclaimed writer of seven novels, Kamila Shamsie, reads from her powerful new novel, 'Home Fire', long-listed for the 2017 Booker Prize. Shamsie discusses her book and other works at this truly special event. https://goo.gl/LL9Qdn
Join a panel of researchers, authors and farmers as they talk about the cultural and literary experiences which underpin racism and consider how to combat it with evidence, writing and action. Book your place now: https://goo.gl/b15Z1Z
We're looking forward to Alastair Reynolds presenting a wide-ranging and accessible talk on Mars; both in our imaginations and in reality. Explore how science fiction has played a game of leapfrog with science fact in this unique talk. https://goo.gl/Nmwa9T
Delve into the quirky mind of celebrated novelist, Jeremy Strong, author of over 100 children's books. Join Jeremy has he talks about his popular book 'The Hundred-mile-an-hour Dog'. https://goo.gl/jFFpX3
Join Philip Reeve at The National Space Centre as he talks about his writing and reads from his popular books 'Railhead' and 'Black Light Express'. https://goo.gl/dy3LWp
Celebrated author, Anne Fine, talks about how and why she writes, including what sort of ideas and issues can spark off her books. Join her for a Q&A to learn the differences between writing for children and for adults https://goo.gl/wwfbe4
Gwendoline Riley is the author of the novels Cold Water, Sick Notes, Joshua Spassky and Opposed Positions. Her writing has won a Betty Trask Award and a Somerset Maugham Award, and has been shortlisted for the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize. Her new novel, First Love, draws a compelling and intimate portrait of a relationship in crisis. Riley will read from First Love and host a Q&A about the book. This lecture is a free event and will take place at the Peter Williams Theatre, Fielding Johnson Building South Wing from 6:15pm-7:15pm tonight.
Due to a cancellation a very small number of tickets have become available for the Scrooge workshop at 5pm today. Book here now: https://goo.gl/cDAVpX
Join Shrabani Basu, author of 'Victoria & Abdul' at Leicester's Phoenix Cinema tomorrow night, as she talks about her writing experience before a screening of the film followed by a Q&A. https://goo.gl/e2eyiL
Award-winning author, Gwendoline Riley, reads from her latest novel and hosts a Q&A this this Friday. Book your tickets now: https://goo.gl/qoyfEF