The Margate Bookie, Thanet’s friendly litfest, celebrates five years of big name authors and book-based activities in 2019.
Creative writing workshops, poetry slams and a big festival in November will enliven and invigorate the seaside town through a wonderful programme of word focused events.
Write UP! is a full weekend of creative writing courses on Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28 at Margate Adult Education Centre.
Programme director Francesca Baker has put together a bill of local names for the event.
She said: “There’s so much talent in Thanet these days. Where else can you be inspired by BBC Comedy Writer Dale Shaw (Russell Howard’s Good News, Mitchell and Webb) and local legend Iain Aitch (A Fete Worse Than Death and We’re British, Innit) for a fiver?”
Other sessions include Creativity with Julie E Pratt, one of the country’s leading authorities on journaling, World Building with CCCU’s Justin Brown and Finding Melody with Connor Sansby, isle poet and publisher. The weekend will be hosted by Folkestone based poet Dave James Horn.
On the evening of July 27, Connor Sansby hosts a very special Bookie Slam at Elsewhere. The headliner, Neelam Saredia-Brayley, writes poetry about gender, sexuality and flipcharts. She’s followed by ten of Kent’s finest slammers, taking to the stage to earn their shot at the Kent Poetry Championship. The Bookie Slam has made a name for itself as a highlight in the UK poetry scene.
There’s a big winter Bookie at Turner Contemporary from Friday, November 22 to Sunday, November 24. Headliners include Richard Skinner (Faber & Faber), Lesley Kara (The Rumour) and Sebastian Baczkiewicz who writes the BBC Radio 4 fantasy drama Pilgrim. Bookie favourites Elise Valmorbida (Madonna of the Mountains) and Vanessa King (Ten Keys to Happier Living) will show visitors how to be more creative. Tom Jackson will talk about Postcards from the Past, Scott Pack will run a Guardian Masterclass on Getting Published and Kerry Hudson (Lowborn) will perform in a chippie!
This will be the sixth Margate Bookie festival and once again Margate will be packed with inspiring writers and creative writing teachers.
Andreas Loizou, founder of the Margate Bookie, said: “We’re overjoyed that the Margate Bookie’s blend of great authors, iconic venues and relaxed vibe is so popular. We began life in a single room at Resort Studios in 2015 and now host events, courses and retreats all year round.”
Get your tickets at margatebookie.com
