Written in the stars: big names at Bluecoat literary festival

Sep 4 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

THE Bluecoat has announced its first major literary festival.

The new annual Chapter & Verse Literature Festival will include nearly 50 events and activities – from readings, book signings, talks and discussions to performances and workshops.

The inaugural event has attracted writers from around the world and launches on National Poetry Day, Oct 9.

The poetry programme includes performances from Lemn Sissay, Selena Godden and Francesca Beard, plus Liverpool’s own poetry collec- tives Mercy and Heart Beats.

Prose highlights from the ten-day event include travel writer Jan Morris discussing her life’s work; there’s a talk with leading scriptwriter Ronan Bennett whose latest screenplay, Public Enemies, is being made into a film with Johnny Depp, and renowned political commentator Tariq Ali dissects his book The Duel: Pakistan on the Flight Path of American Power.

Jim Crace will offer a sneak preview of his forthcoming book, and Linda Grant will discuss her latest novel The Clothes on Their Backs, longlisted for the 2008 Orange Prize and on the shortlist for the Booker Prize 2008.

Chapter & Verse has been working with local groups such as The Reader Organisation, the Windows Project, Literature North West and informal discussion groups Literature in Pubs and Philosophy in Pubs.

Alastair Upton, chief executive at the Bluecoat, said: “We are delighted to be hosting this major literary festival which brings together a range of literary talent and debate in one place.”