Rugby Literary Festival brings joy of reading to the town centre

The third annual festival features a packed programme of free events, including meet-the-author sessions, writing workshops and creative discussions for book lovers of all ages - all taking place at various venues across the town centre.

Launching on Friday 23 October, the Rugby Literary Festival's opening day includes a guided tour of the town centre, celebrating Rugby's links to famous writers, including First World War poet Rupert Brooke and Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland and a former pupil at Rugby School.

Other highlights of the Friday line-up include a hands-on 'create your zine' workshop hosted by the co-founder of the Grasruts zine at Art at the Alex, a children's storytelling session at Rugby Library, a website writing workshop at the Seven Stars hosted by professional copywriter Lindsay Woodward, and an open mic spoken word event hosted by Ian Fisermanis, aka 'BusyMrFizzy', at the Merchants Inn.

Saturday's (24 October) festival line-up features She's Not Done Yet: Celebrating Older (Queer) Women in Fiction at the Rugby Hotel with author Pip Landers-Letts, a Writer's Block Escape Room at Rugby Library, and a Write Your Story workshop at the Percival Guildhouse.

Budding authors can also find out how to plot a romantic novel with best-selling authors Donna Ashcroft, Julie Caplin and Bella Osbourne at the Rugby Hotel on the Saturday, while Art at the Alex hosts a workshop on writing a fantasy novel and the Percival Guildhouse welcomes a workshop hosted by Warwickshire-based author Anna Byk, who reveals how research plays a key role when writing fiction.

The Rugby Literary Festival Family Day takes place on the Sunday (25 October) at the Benn Hall, with a feast of fun on offer, including musical storytelling, character drawing workshops, arts and crafts, face-painting and storytelling by children's author Tanya Rosie.

The Sunday line-up also includes a workshop at the Rugby Hotel to inspire budding authors to write a first book, followed by a Local Author Spotlight where visitors can find out more about Rugby's current generation of scribes.

Art at the Alex hosts a workshop run by Rugby Writers' Café revealing how to set up a writing group, while later on the Sunday the James Street venue welcomes author and marketing specialist Lindsay Woodward, who shares the secrets of successfully marketing a book.

Throughout the three-day festival, Rugby Library has a quiet reading space available for visitors, while the Rugby Literary Festival Book Fair takes place at the library on the Saturday (24 October), which includes a festival book swap.

Cllr Maggie O'Rourke, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for partnerships, health and wellbeing, said: "Rugby has a rich literary heritage and the Rugby Literary Festival embraces the spirit of creativity, offering plenty of opportunities for aspiring writers to learn from established authors, and events tailored for children to discover the joy of reading.

"It's a jam-packed, free programme for book lovers of all ages and we're looking forward to a busy festival weekend across the town centre."

The full Rugby Literary Festival programme has been published on The Rugby Town website, where you can also book places at the festival's free events.

For more information, visit: www.therugbytown.co.uk/whats-on/rugby-literary-festival

Cllr Neil Sandison, Rugby Borough Council's Liberal Democrat group spokesperson for partnerships, health and wellbeing, said: "The joy of reading and writing starts at a young age, so I'm pleased the literary festival caters for all ages with excellent workshops and opportunities to meet authors covering a wide range of genres."