Word Live in Libraries, a tour of diverse authors across 20 SWRLS-member libraries across South West England, launches 25 May, first stop Sherborne, with novelist Patrick Gale. It will make 20 stops between May and November 2023. Funded by Arts Council England through the National Lottery.
Supported by a grant from Arts Council England through the National Lottery, SWRLS is delivering the tour in partnership with Literature Works.
Twenty libraries across the region: public, HE, FE, school and NHS hospital libraries are coming together to form a unique touring network to host a proliferation of novelists, poets, playwrights and spoken word artists, drawn from different backgrounds and cultures, both resident in the South West and new to the area. Each writer will facilitatie one or more creative workshops - reading groups or writing classes - followed by a live 'In Conversation' evening event. Each library has chosen the audience it most wants to reach, ranging from new arrivals to young adults, from LGBTQ+ to neuro-divergent members of the local community, as well as the general public. The events will be held either live, in-person, online or a combination of both, to ensure the tour is accessible to all. Tickets are bookable on a 'Pay What You Can' basis via ticketsource here.
Phil Gibby, South West Area Director at Arts Council England, said 'As the national development agency for culture and creativity, we strive to ensure that every person has access to the remarkable creativity and culture on their doorsteps. This collaboration between SWRLS and regularly funded organisation, Literature Works, helps us to achieve that mission. We're excited to see its debut at Sherborne Library, Dorset, and witness the positive impacts throughout the tour through to the Autumn.'
The first event is on Thursday, 25 May, at Sherborne Library, Dorset, where novelist Patrick Gale will open the tour with a reading group discussion about his latest book, Mother's Boy, followed by an 'In Conversation' event, both live at the library and broadcast online. Crime writer Vaseem Khan follows on June 8th at Clevedon Library, N. Somerset, during Crime Reading Month. Further tour dates introducing new writers will be added right through to November. Keep an eye on our Project Page and our social media as more events are announced.