Dudley hosts its first ever Writer’s Festival
Celebrate the award-winning writing talents of the west midlands at Dudley borough libraries this June.
The new book festival, based in the heart of the Black Country, will see debut, up-and-coming and established West Midlands authors joining up and performing at libraries across the borough. For those that can’t get to the venue, some of the talks will be virtual. They'll be sharing the behind the scenes of what it's like to become a published author, what inspires their work, and how they keep the west midlands at their hearts.
Running from 8 until the 22 June, the festival will feature crime and thriller authors Lindsey Davis, Priscilla Masters, Natalie Marlow, Caz Frear and Angela Marsons; family saga authors Annie Murray and Joanna Toye; romance writers Miranda Dickinson, Sally Jenkins and Suzan Holder and fiction writer Mike Gayle among others.
Stephanie Rhoden, Dudley partnership manager at GLL, said:
“We’re so proud to be hosting the borough’s first ever Writer’s Festival. We have a host of writers from many different genres coming to talk about their work and their process.
“All of our libraries are taking part, so wherever you live in the borough you’ve the chance to attend an event at your local library. All events are free and tickets are going fast so make sure you book yours ahead of time either at your local library, over the phone or online.”
The line-up includes:
Angela Marsons
The bestselling author of the DI Kim Stone series, Angela’s infamous crime novels have sold more than 5 million copies, been translated into 30 languages, and have just been optioned by the BBC for television.
Wednesday 12th June, 7:00pm – Online. Reserve your seat or Call 01384 812980
Lindsey Davis
Mutli-award winning historical crime novelist Lindsey Davis is best known for her novels set in Ancient Rome, including the much-loved Marcus Didius Falco and Flavia Albia series.
Saturday 22nd June, 6:00pm - Halesowen Library. Reserve your seat or Call 01384 812980
Priscilla Masters
Priscilla Masters is a celebrated author of crime and mystery novels. Her iconic characters 'Joanna Piercy' and 'Martha Gunn' unravel the complex crimes and mysteries in many of her stories.
Wednesday 12th June, 10:30am - Lye Library
Reserve your seat or Call 01384 812835
Wednesday 12th June, 2:00pm - Wordsley Library
Reserve your seat or Call 01384 812765
Natalie Marlow
The author of 2023's Financial Times Best Summer Thriller and Val McDermid's New Blood Pick at the Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival, Needless Alley,
Thursday 13th June, 2:00pm - Stourbridge Library
Reserve your seat or Call 01384 812945
Caz Frear
A major new voice in crime fiction Caz Frear's debut Sweet Little Lies went on to be a number one bestseller. Since then she's added two more books to the DC Cat Kinsella series
Wednesday 19th June, 2:00pm - Stourbridge Library
Reserve your seat or Call 01384 812945
Mike Gayle
Twenty-five years after his debut Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller My Legendary Girlfriend and eighteen novels later Birmingham based Mike Gayle is coming to Dudley Library. His latest work A Song of Me and You is sure to be a huge hit.
Thursday 20th June, 7:00pm - Dudley Library
Reserve your seat or Call 01384 815560
Annie Murray
A Top Ten Bestselling Author she has recently seen her third book in the Cadbury Trilogy Homecoming for the Chocolate Girls published, and will be telling you all about the inspiration behind her work.
Monday 10th June, 11.00am - Cradley Library
Reserve your seat or Call 01384 812885
Monday 10th June 2:30pm - Brierley Hill Library
Reserve your seat or Call 01384 812874
Joanna Toye
After a career in radio and TV, producing and writing for programmes ranging from 'The Archers' to 'EastEnders' , Jo turned to historical novels to create her very own fictional world. Her bestselling Shop Girls and Victory Girls novels were inspired by the much-loved Beatties of Wolverhampton. 'The Little Penguin Bookshop' is the first novel in a brand new series.
Monday 17th June 2:00pm - Long Lane Library
Reserve your seat or Call 01384 812880
Monday 17th June, 7.00pm - Gornal Library
Reserve your seat or Call 01384 812755
Tuesday 18th June, 10:30am - Cosley Library
Reserve your seat or Call 01384 812775
For details of the whole programme head to
https://www.better.org.uk/library/dudley/dudley-library/whats-on/dudley-writers-festival