The Writing Life

Friday 20th March 10am - 11.15am // Literary Communities

The strength of a literary culture is dependent on the diversity, literacy and confidence of its readers, and yet to many people the arts as a whole can seem closed off, at worst exclusive and elitist. Stella Duffy, co-founder of Fun Palaces, discusses ways in which organisations can develop successful outreach programmes, and then chairs a panel debate on the subject. *This audio features content which may not be suitable for younger listeners.

Thurs 19 Mar 3.45pm-5pm //Next Generation:Rebecca Goss,Luke Kennard,Patience Agbabi & Zaffar Kunial

Rebecca Goss, Luke Kennard, Patience Agbabi and Zaffar Kunial perform and discuss their work, hosted by Ted Hodgkinson. *This audio may feature content which is not be suitable for younger listeners

Thursday 19th March 2pm - 3.15pm // Digital Literatures with Bill Thompson

Digital guru Bill Thompson leads a discussion on how literature’s intersection with the digital world has changed. He explores what it means to be ‘a writer’ and examines the artistic and creative implications for readers, writers and arts programmers of the information age. *This audio may feature content which is not be suitable for younger listeners

Thursday 19th March 12.30pm - 1pm // Eimear McBride and Stella Duffy

Eimear McBride author of A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing (winner of the 2013 Goldsmith’s Prize and 2014 Bailey’s Prize) and Stella Duffy writer, actor and co-founder of the Fun Palaces campaign, read from their work. *This audio features content which may not be suitable for younger listeners

Living Translation: A National Conversation Event with Ali Smith

Listen to Ali Smith read her provocation on literary translation and discuss the topic with writer and translator, Daniel Hahn(Chair), writer and film maker Xiaolu Guo, and translator Margaret Jull Costa OBE This event is part of Writers' Centre Norwich's 'The National Conversation', a series of events that explore the hard-hitting questions about the ways in which we produce and engage with writing and reading. Find out more at www.writerscentrenorwich.org.uk/thenation…tion.aspx

Kirsten Francis 'Reading, a tool for writing?' - Young People and Literature Symposium

Listen to Kirsten Francis, Manager of Schools and Young People's Library Services, give a talk on 'Reading, as a tool for writing?' Where she will introduce the SPACE project, discuss how reading is used to develop and inspire young people's writing and how the library is supporting these developments.

Sam Ruddock on Reading - Young People and Literature Symposium

Listen to Sam Ruddock, Programme Manager, give a talk on 'Reading, a tool for reading?'. In his talk he addresses the purpose of reading, what is 'creative' reading (and why 'creative' is a problematic word), why we read and how we can empower and enthuse readers.

On Writers, Readers And Losing Our Minds - A National Conversation Event with Will Self

Listen to Will Self read his provocation on 'Writers, Readers and Losing our Minds' and discuss the topic with WCN Chief Exec, Chris Gribble (Chair), Penguin Random House's Dan Franklin and President of English PEN, Maureen Freely. This event is part of Writers' Centre Norwich's 'The National Conversation', a series of events that explore the hard-hitting questions about the ways in which we produce and engage with writing. Find out more at www.writerscentrenorwich.org.uk/thenation…tion.aspx

What is the Point of Books? A National Conversation Event with Michael Rosen

Hear Michael Rosen read his provocation on 'What is the Point of Books?' and discuss the topic with Ellah Wakatama Allfrey (Chair) and panellists Denise Mina (Red Road) and Jamie Jauncey (Room 121). This event launched Writers' Centre Norwich's 'The National Conversation', a series of events that explore the hard-hitting questions about the ways in which we produce and engage with writing. Find out more at http://www.writerscentrenorwich.org.uk/thenationalconversation.aspx

Worlds Literature Festival - George Szirtes Summing Up

George Szirtes sums up the Worlds Literature Festival provocations.