The Written Word in Leicester - Home Page

Whats'in a word?

If you'r looking for spoken word events in Leicester then you can't go far wrong with WORD!

WORD! is the longest running spoken word and poetry night in the East Midlands and takes place on the first Tuesday of every month. It is based at the Y Theatre, East Street in the city centre and the night's events begin at 8 p.m. and finish at 10.30.p.m.

During the night there are twenty open mic slots of three minutes each. Contributors can get up there and show show what they have. At ten o'clock the booked artist will perform a thirty minute set in front of crowds of between 70 to 150 people.

Each night is supported by audio and visual arts on request and the recording of the whole night can be requested on video too. So if that sounds like your kind of thing, take a look at the link below and find out more about WORD! and their upcoming projects.

Word Poetry

Web sites you might like

Writing East Midlands

ANDY CRAVEN-GRIFFITHS

Andy is a fast-rising star on the spoken word scene; a regular on the festival circuit, he's donned his poetry garb and wellies for gigs at Glastonbury and Latitude, regularly appears (minus the wellies) on Radios 1 and 2, and promotes a monthly spoken word night Sticks and Stones in Leeds.

Check his myspace for more info:
http://www.myspace.com/cra vengriffiths

Poetry Competition for young people

Justin Gowers writes:

Final call for entries for the John Betjeman Young People's Poetry Competition - closing date 31st July. Young people in Leicester will be interested to learn about the John Betjeman Young People's Poetry Competition.for which entries are currently being accepted right through to a closing date of 31st July. The competition is open to anyone aged between 11 and 14. Entrants are limited to one poem each about their local surroundings or any aspect thereof, whether it be a house, a street, a garden, a park, a city or a wider landscape.

Find out more from the web site

Poets, Authors, Novelists, Writers, Playwrights - Literature in Leicester

Leicester boasts some famous literary personalities: Joe Orton (playwright), Sue Townsend (author of the Adrian Mole books), John Cleveland (17th c poet), C.P.Snow (author), Julan Barns (author). The BBC's guide to local literati

Poetry

The Leicester Poetry Society

Leicester Adult Education College, Wellington Street.

Leicester's Poetry society aims to promote and encourage all aspects of poetry, including workshops for local writers, publication of members' poems, readings, social events, workshops, seminars and open mic evenings.

Welcoming all sections of the community, recognizing the benefits of ethnic, cultural, linguistic, historial and social diversity.

Leicester Poetry society for further details.

Poetry in Leicester, from the Poetry Society

Books and authors

The Literature Network

he Literature Network is a nationally unique organisation connecting the literature community in each of the cities and counties of the East Midlands. The Literature Network maintains information resources for the literature community, organises networking and consultation events, supports the work and projects of leading literature practitioners and champions the valuable role of literature as a participatory artform.

DeMontfort University

Coming soon to DeMontfort University is John Carey; Professor of English at Oxford University. Acclaimed broadcaster, critic and reviewer. A free ticketed event dated November 11th 2009, 19.30pm-20.30pm. Follow the website for tickets to this event.

For more upcoming events in Leicester, download the Literary Leicester 2009 Programme Leaflet. Found at the bottom, left hand side of the web page.

Childrens Film and Literature - Day Conference
1 March 2010

Leicester Libraries

Book doctor Alison Dunne (poet, writer and reader) wil be gracing Leicester Libraries to help with reading choices.

Book Doctor free sessions are held at the Central Lending library on Belvoir Street, every Wednesday 12.00pm-14.00pm.
For more literary news visit Leicester City Council libraries.

Get hold of Literary News from Leicester Libraries by following the above link, click on the Book Doctor link, and download the PDF file at the bottom of the page. Providing a range of literary news and events available in your area.

Leicester Book News (Blog)
The blog of Leicester Libraries. Sharing material about Leicester's literature communities; blogging, interviews and comments. You may find the events somewhat outdated but a great source of information none the less.

Leicester Writers' Club
Leicester's writers ' club newsboard. Bringing you up to date news for those with a passion for writing.

General

Literature, Readers and Writers on the Frontline Books website

The Y Theatre

Short Fuse is a stylish short fiction showspace hosted monthly at The Y Theatre, Leicester. All about slick visuals, great music and a bar!

Short Fuse Fiction presents: Tales from the Crypt: Gory stories for All Hallows
Time and Venue: October 20th 2009, The Y Theatre 8pm sharp
Dress- Code: Tomb like (optional)
Price: £5.50/ £4.00 concessions
Box Office: 0116 255 7066

Halloween Special featuring Flesh-Eating Zombies, Cyber Ghouls and Good Old Ghost Stories. A Short Fiction Splatter-Fest!

Headlining: multi-award winning author of Show Me The Sky Nicholas Hogg, whose short fiction also appears in Johnny Marr fronted anthology, Punk Fiction. Nick will be reading his funny but ultra-creepy spine chiller, Ever After.
A great line-up featuring work by Damien Walter, Emma Lee, Joe Evans, Maxine Linnell + a short paper on zombies by Dr. Jennifer Cooke.