Word Fest Is Coming To Blackpool
26 August 2022
by Visit Blackpool
The organisers of Word Fest. have added to the already packed line up with a host of celebrity authors that will attend the festival taking place from Friday 7th until Monday 10th October 2022 at Winter Gardens Blackpool.
A trio of ‘in conservation with’ events will welcome comedian Lenny Henry, presenter Paul O’Grady and professional ballroom and Latin dancer and BBC’s Strictly judge, Anton Du Beke, to chat to fans about their new books and their love of writing.
Lenny Henry’s new book ‘Rising to the Surface’ traces his career through the eighties and nineties from a sixteen year old winning a talent competition and his navigation through the seas of professional comedy, learning his craft through sheer graft and hard work. In Conversation with Lenny Henry will take place on Sunday 09 October at 8pm, with all tickets including a signed copy of Rising to the Surface and a meet and greet.
Children and families will get the opportunity to meet Lenny Henry in person as he signs copies of his two children’s novels The Boy With Wings and The Book Of Legends, on Sunday 9 October at a once in a lifetime free event.
Paul O’Grady will be talking about his children’s book ‘Eddie Albert & the Amazing Animal Gang’ which tells the story of 10 year old Eddie who can talk to animals. This story of Eddie’s dispatch to stay with his eccentric aunt in Amsterdam is packed full of friendship, animals, action and of course a wicked sense of humour. In Conversation with Paul O’Grady will take place on Sunday 09 October at 4pm, with all tickets including a signed copy of the latest in the Eddie Albert and the Amazing Animal Gang series The Curse of the Smugglers’ Treasure (RRP £12.99, HarperCollins Children’s Books).
A firm Blackpool favourite and Sunday Times Bestselling Author, Anton Du Beke will be previewing his stunning new tale of dance (release date 13th October 2022) during the blitz centred around the Buckingham Hotel in London. The book tells the story of Raymond de Guise who is on leave from Dunkirk and struggling to find his place in the world. In Conversation with Anton Du Beke will take place on Monday 10 October at 8pm, with all tickets including a signed copy of The Ballroom Blitz and a meet and greet.
The four new events have been added to the already announced programme for Word Fest. including Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE presenting War Horse Live in Concert. War Horse will be joined by events with bestselling authors Milly Johnson, Saul David and Scott Mitchell.
A very special Seasiders Podcast will also take place live at 8pm on Saturday 08 October with special guest, former Blackpool legend Gary Taylor-Fletcher, joining the Seasiders’ podcast team to talk all things Tangerine, past, present and future. Anecdotes and Timisms guaranteed!
The Seasiders Podcast is the second live podcast event scheduled for the weekend, following the announcement that Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell will host a live version of their podcast ‘The Rest is Politics’ on Saturday 8th October.
The Festival is being co-produced by the Winter Gardens Blackpool and local independent bookstore Book Bean & Ice Cream and will see celebrated authors talk about their love of writing, their books, answer questions and sign books for fans.
Elaine Silverwood, owner of Book Bean & Ice Cream and co-producer of Word Fest. said: “This is the first ever Word Fest. and ticket sales have got off to a flying start. It is the first new literary festival to be scheduled in the north for many years and we are thrilled at the confirmed line up. We can’t wait to welcome the authors and guests to the Winter Gardens Blackpool for a weekend of words.”
Many of the tickets include the gift of the author’s book and are now on sale priced from £20.00 on the Winter Gardens official website.