Latest News

A world record holding beatboxer, Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, a Multilingual Mushiara, a Poetry Slam and Shakeapeare performed like you’ve never seen before…there is something for everyone at Words in the City! This year, Words in the City is part of Bradford Festival and will bring together local and national…more

Our special afternoon event on Monday 12 October for School groups is open for booking NOW. Steve Cole, will talk to Year 5 and 6 pupils about his books and writing. There will also be a special Twilight session for teachers, librarians and other professionals working with children. Steve is…more

We are delighted to announce that Zaffar Kunial will be the 2015 Poet in Residence and Beverley Nadin the Apprentice Poet in Residence. Zaffar Kunial was born in Birmingham and is a Faber New Poet. His poem ‘Hill Speak’ won third prize in the 2011 National Poetry Competition and he…more

Ilkley Young Writers have two great events coming up in July: The Mighty Write Workshop 1-3.30pm, Sunday 5 July The Space, Hebden Bridge Town Hall FREE As part of the Hebden Bridge Arts Festival, the Young Writers will be running a writing workshop for anyone aged 12-18. A fun and…more

Ilkley Literature Festival confirms first authors for this year’s international programme including a New York Times best seller, Liberty Human Rights Campaigner of the Year and a gluten-free connoisseur from Britain’s favourite baking tent. Thousands of book lovers will once again descend on the spa town for the annual event,…more

After another successful Summer School last year, Ilkley Literature Festival will be running our next residential Summer School  for young people who love writing from Friday 4 September to Sunday 6 September 2015. Based at Lineham Farm, a converted farmhouse near Golden Acre Park just outside Leeds, we will be…more

Schools and individual young people in Years 7–13 (ages 11/12-18 inclusive) are welcome to enter this competition, which is for an original poem or short story. Age Categories Entries will be judged in the following categories: Years 7, 8 and 9 Years 10 and 11 Years 12 and 13 Prizes…more

Schools and individual children from Yorkshire and Lancashire are welcome to enter this competition. Age Categories Reception, Year 1, Year 2 Year 3 and 4 Year 5 and 6 Years 7 – 13 have a separate Young People’s Poetry and Short Story Competition. Prizes A special certificate. Book tokens, kindly…more

Bestselling author of The Other Bolelyn Girl and The White Queen, Philippa Gregory, is coming to the Kings Hall on Wednesday 19 August to talk about her latest book, The Taming of a Queen. Focusing on Katherine Parr, The Taming of a Queen is a deeply intimate portrayal of a…more

We are delighted to announce that the 2015 Ilkley Literature Festival writing competitions are now open for entries. Poet and author of And When Did You Last See Your Father? Blake Morrison will be judging the Adult Poetry Competition, while novelist and Professor of Contemporary Literature at Manchester University Patricia…more