News
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International Competitions Open
1 April to 30 June 2025 The International Competitions are open – no April Fool’s Day this – but a reminder that you have just three months in which to enter if you want the chance of becoming one of this year’s winners. The clock starts ticking from today 1 April until 5pm on 30…
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Success Story
An author who was twice shortlisted in the Short Story competition is about to see publication of his debut novel The Margaret Code. Richard Hooton entered the competition seven years ago with two stories – both shortlisted – which gave him the confidence to continue writing. These were Mr Flint and the Fire, and The…
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Poetry motivator
Reading and writing motivator Joffre White, author of Aura Boy, spent a happy time at Longvernal Primary in Midsomer Norton earlier this month where his workshop enthused the youngsters. The class teacher thanked Wells Festival of Literature for organising the event, saying “Joffre was absolutely brilliant and a very lovely man. The children had a…
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Vending event
There’s nothing like the magic of high tech to promote learning in youngsters, and there was great excitement at the launch of a new book vending machine this month at Kings Academy, Cheddar. Half the cost was funded by Wells Festival of Literature’s education team as part of the festival’s year-round programme of promoting literacy…
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School Visits
Profits from Wells Festival of Literature fund a year-round programme of exciting events in local schools to promote learning. These range from author visits to book donations and even trips to Waterstones bookshop. Already this year there have been several author-led workshops, including children’s author AF Harrold who has visited several local schools as part…
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Happy Days!
Looking back on the 2024 Festival, it’s almost impossible to decide who enjoyed it most. Was it the speakers themselves? There were 35 of them, each with a very different tale to tell, all fascinating and all inspirational in the telling. But then what about the interviewers, including our dedicated Festival Associates? It certainly looks…
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Changes to the Festival programme
As often happens, speakers change their plans after our brochure has been printed. Luckily, however, we are almost always able to find a suitable replacement. The following speakers will not after all be appearing at Wells this year: Marianna Spring, Zeinab Badawi, Michael Taylor. But we do have excellent replacements for all of them: Rafael…
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A Game Changer
Not long until the 2024 Festival kicks off but as we warm up for the starting line there has been some unexpected movement on the field and, in true championship style, we have a few last minute changes in the line-up. Charlie Taylor the well-known BBC Radio Somerset radio presenter, cricket commentator and podcaster will…
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Getting ahead of ourselves!
The 2024 Festival starts on Friday 18 October but if you were in Cedars Hall on 11 July, you might well have thought it had already begun! Those who were lucky enough to be invited to a packed Cedars Hall enjoyed a foretaste of what lies ahead. Mike Gunton, Creative Director of the BBC Natural…
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The 2024 Wells Festival of Literature starts here!
With only a few months left until this year’s Festival gets under way, activity behind the scenes is already evident. For a start, entries are flying into our International Competitions. The closing date for all four categories is 30 June – so get creating as soon as you can. The prize money is extremely generous!…
