Wolverhampton Literature Festival is an annual event held on the first weekend of February, hosted by the City of Wolverhampton Council with funding support from Arts Council England.

The festival aims to amplify and celebrate the voices of authors, poets, writers, storytellers, and publishers from across the UK. Over the course of a weekend, the festival hosts a line up of well known authors & speakers alongside local writers, artists and creatives, coming together to celebrate art, culture and literacy within the city.

HIGHLIGHTS

LEE NELSON: ASSEMBLY Join the poet, performer & organiser as he intertwines various themes to explore the idea that division only exists if we allow it. Sat 1 Feb, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton

THEY MAY HAVE EVEN EATEN HAM! Naomi Paul uses her Jewish background to explore themes of migration, belonging and identity. Sat 1 Feb, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton

MEET THE AUTHOR: SHARON HADLEY-FORD Discover the inspiring journey of Wolverhampton-born Sharon Hadley-Ford, who, after 25 years in the bouncy-castle business, decided to pursue a BA in creative writing. Sat 1 Feb, Wolverhampton Central Library

STARS OF SLAM Evening of ‘top-notch’ spoken word, in which five poetry slam champs are given the opportunity to showcase their work. Sat 1 Feb, Making Space at Wolverhampton Art Gallery

DATE NIGHT: THE IMPROVISED HISTORY OF (NEARLY) EVERYTHING ‘A unique form of spontaneous comedy featuring two performers, a selection of anachronistic hats and an improv experience like no other’... Sat 1 Feb, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton

IN CONVERSATION WITH ABI DARÉ - 'AND SO I ROAR' Join Abi as she discusses her much-anticipated second novel. Sat 1 Feb, Georgian Gallery, Wolverhampton Art Gallery

SEE YOU AT THE CROSSROADS Join Casey Bailey, Jordvn Emanuel and Zakariye for an afternoon of poetry, music and a panel discussion. Sun 2 Feb, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton 

CELEBRATING THE WINDRUSH CHILDREN - A SHOWCASE OF AUTHORS Featuring book readings, interviews, music, dance, and spoken word performances. Sun 2 Feb, Georgian Gallery, Wolverhampton Art Gallery

NATURE CRISIS Experience the power of poetry ‘to confront and illuminate the urgent environmental challenges of our time’. With Kuli Kohli, Tom Allsopp, Cherry Doyle, Ros Woolner, and Simon Fletcher. Sun 2 Feb, Making Space at Wolverhampton Art Gallery

SHAPARAK KHORSANDI: SCATTERBRAIN A love letter to letter writing and a trip back through the early years of one of Britain’s best-established stand-ups. Sun 2 Feb, Bilston Town Hall

SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN POETS Santosh K Dary, Priyanka Joshi, Navkiran Kaur and Kuli Kohli share funny, poignant and thought-provoking stories drawn from their lives and Indian heritage. Sun 2 Feb, Making Space at Wolverhampton Art Gallery