LISTEN: Autumn celebration of literature returns to Lancaster

Lancaster’s annual autumn celebration of literature returns with a packed weekend of events followed by a headline appearance from the Poet Laureate.

Litfest Autumn Festival brings a programme of readings, performances and discussions to Lancaster, with events taking place across the city and at Lancaster University.

From contemporary fiction and folklore to true crime and international writing, the festival continues its long tradition of combining local voices with nationally and internationally acclaimed talent.

LISTEN to Natalie Sorrell Charlesworth fromn Litfest talking about the Autumn Festival

The weekend begins on Friday October 17 at The Storey with Sarah Hall, the award-winning Cumbrian novelist, introducing Helm, her new novel centred on the legendary northern wind.

On Saturday October 18, the programme includes children’s writer Lucy Strange with a gothic mystery and a retelling of Frankenstein; poets Yvonne Reddick and Liam Bates with a double bill exploring people and landscape; and Mollie Ray and Helen Bate on the graphic novel form. Later that evening, Jacqueline Harris and artist Marjan Wouda present Lancashire Folk Tales, while Zoe Lambert performs her acclaimed one-woman show A Maternal Exorcism.

On Sunday October 19, highlights include Carol Ann Lee with Something Wicked, a new investigation of the Pendle Witches, alongside Oliver K. Langmead and MK Hardy on co-writing speculative fiction, and Malik Al Nasir exploring family history and the legacies of slavery in Searching for My Slave Roots.

The festival also features an international dimension. On Monday October 20, the Litfest International Online Bookclub welcomes Xiaolu Guo to discuss Call Me Ishmaelle, her reimagining of Moby Dick. The following evening at Lancaster University, she delivers the 5th Lancaster International Fiction Lecture, Fiction as an Act of Sabotage.

A special finale takes place on Tuesday November 19 when Poet Laureate Simon Armitage appears at the Nuffield Theatre with award-winning poet Kim Moore, reading from his recent collections Blossomise, Dwell and New Cemetery and reflecting on the theme of ‘Land’.

“This year’s Autumn Weekend highlights the rich connections between people, place and story," said Julie Bell, chair of Litfest.

"From folklore rooted in Lancashire landscapes to global perspectives on literature and identity, Litfest offers audiences the chance to explore, reflect and be inspired.”

Tickets are priced at £6 in-person and £4 online (unless otherwise stated).

Bookings are available through The Dukes box office and online HERE, with some events also livestreamed via Crowdcast. Simon Armitage’s special appearance is ticketed separately through Lancaster Arts.

For full details of the programme, booking information and livestream options, visit HERE.