Wolverhampton writers out in force for city's first literary festival
Wolverhampton's first literary festival has received the backing of the Express & Star – with little over a month before the celebration begins.
And now we want you, our readers, to get your creative juices flowing and pen a poem worthy of being read at the citywide event.
Organisers have been hard at work putting together an exciting bill packed with Black Country talent which includes award-winning writer Sathnam Sanghera and YouTube sensation Doreen Tipton.
Dozens of events ranging from readings to plays will take place at 13 different venues between January 27 and 29.
The winner of the poetry competition will see their original work read as part of the festivities.
There are no restrictions when it comes to subject matter or style – in fact entrants are encouraged to be as imaginative as they like.
Equally, poems will be accepted from young and old alike.
Among the organisations backing the festival is the University of Wolverhampton and Wolverhampton council.
Councillor John Reynolds, who is responsible for the city's visitor economy, welcomed the Express & Star's involvement and urged readers to enter the poetry competition.
He said: "We've got a diverse literary tradition in Wolverhampton and across the Black Country and what better way of celebrating it than by hosting our first festival.
"I am especially delighted the Express & Star is supporting the event and hope readers will also find something for them in the packed weekend programme of talks, family activities and workshops.
"This is a pilot event, which is only being made possible by the generosity of the performers, local businesses and venues, including the newspaper, who are helping make the weekend happen."
Sathnam Sanghera, a former Wolverhampton Grammar School student, will be in conversation at the city's art gallery on the second day of the festival.
His first book, The Boy With The Topknot: A Memoir of Love, Secrets and Lies in Wolverhampton, is being adapted for TV by the BBC.
The Slade Rooms is hosting chart-topping Ned's Atomic Dustbin singer Jonn Penney, who will talk about the so-called 'grebo' scene with best-selling author Martin Roach.
Express & Star columnist Peter Rhodes will discuss his acclaimed military history book, For A Shilling A Day, at the art gallery on January 29.
Entries should be emailed to karen.baker@expressandstar.co.uk or sent by post to Karen Baker, Express & Star, 51-53 Queen Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1ES.
The closing date is January 20 and the winner will be selected by a panel of judges.
