First ever literary festival coming to Stafford

The ‘Stafford Litfest’ will include writing workshops, poetry readings and the opportunity to meet published authors and hear about their skill.

Already more than a dozen authors have been earmarked for the festival which takes place in Stafford Gatehouse Theatre between 10am and 4pm on April 18.

It is the brainchild of Stafford Publishers and has been supported by Stafford Borough Council and the University of Wolverhampton who has a base in the county town.

There will also be dedicated activities for children, puppet theatre and an ‘open mic’ speaking session as part of the day.

In the run up to the event a writing competition has been launched with two age categories – adult and 11 to 15 years old – where budding authors are asked to write either a brief piece of fiction up to 300 words, or poetry of no more than 40 lines.

Councillor Frances Beatty, cabinet member for economic development and planning, said: “This is a very exciting new festival for Stafford and one we would like to see firmly established on the annual events calendar.

“Stafford and literature have a rich history – Isaak Walton, author of the fisherman’s bible, the ‘Compleat Angler’, was born here, wonderful playwright, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, a former MP of Stafford, and Britain’s previous Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, who was raised and educated in our county town – so it seems a great opportunity to celebrate that heritage in the form of a festival.”

She added: “I hope people will put this date in their diaries now because it needs the support of local people, as well as visitors, to help make this day a success.”

To find out more got to staffordpublishers.com/events-blog/ and you can get tickets for the event at staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk/.

For an application form to enter the writing competition contact hello@staffordpublishers.com deadline for entries is February 15 with winners announced on March 31 2020.