The best writers in the world, in Dundee once again
Published On Thu 28 Aug 2014 by Grant Hill
The 2014 Dundee Literary Festival will once again bring some of the world’s best writers to the city for a packed programme of events that celebrate the written word in all its forms.
James Naughtie, Viv Albertine and Michel Faber are just some of the big names appearing at this year’s Festival, which takes place from 22nd to 26th October. More than 60 workshops, talks, book signings, readings, walking tours and other events will be held over the five-day run.
The Festival will be bookended with appearances by literary legends Jung Chang and Jodi Picoult on Saturday 18th October and Thursday, 6th November respectively. These free extension events will be held in conjunction with Dundee Science Festival and the University of Dundee’s Saturday Evening Lecture Series.
As a result, 2014 will be the biggest Dundee Literary Festival to date, and the full programme will be launched at Dundee Central Library on Thursday, 28th August when organisers reveal the stellar line-up of literary talent.
Sports, crime, comics, translation, poetry, comedy, music, politics, history and children’s books will all be covered and the Festival will spread beyond the confines of Bonar Hall as satellite events take place in libraries and pubs across the city.
The winner of the Dundee International Book Prize will also be announced at the Festival, something Literary Dundee Director Anna Day says underlines the commitment to new talent.
She said, “Promoting new voices has always been an important part of the Literary Festival’s ethos and this is more evident than ever this year. In addition to having the privilege of announcing which of the Dundee International Book Prize finalists wins £10,000, the largest award for an unpublished author in the UK, and a publishing deal with Cargo Publishing, we will also showcase more debut and emerging writers than ever before.
“The Dundee Literary Festival has established itself as the festival that supports the next generation of brilliant wordsmiths as well as bringing some of today’s best writers to Dundee to inspire them. With a massive 60 events, we’ve managed to pack in something for every taste, whether you want to hear sporting stars, debut voices, translation tales or stories from world famous authors.”
Punk legend and feminist icon Viv Albertine will share the stories from her best-selling memoir, Clothes Clothes Clothes Music Music Music Boys Boys Boys, on Friday, 24th October, while world-renowned author Michel Faber read from his new novel, The Book of Strange New Things, the following day.
The Sunday line-up includes broadcaster James Naughtie, who will be discussing his debut novel, The Madness of July, as well as some of the biggest names in the comics world who will be descending on the city for this year’s Dundee Comics Day.
Programme Manager Peggy Hughes said, “The 2014 Dundee Literary Festival will be five days of words, writing, debate, and discussion as well as the odd slice of cake. Festivals should contain words and ideas, stories and songs, people who want to talk, and to listen, and best-selling authors alongside new faces that will be the names of the future.
“Festivals also need brilliant and enthusiastic audiences who are willing to take a risk, to discover something new and to celebrate these writers with us. Here’s hoping our visitors get as much delight from our festival programme as we did in putting it all together.”
More information about this year’s programme, including the full line up and how to obtain tickets, can be found at http://www.dundee.ac.uk/literarydundee/.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277