The Finchley Literary Festival is under way - remaining events

Thursday 29th May

1pm The Reader Organisation - With Ruth Cohen - North Finchley Library N12 9HP

Try coming to a taster “Get into Reading” group, being developed across Barnet. This is an innovative shared reading model, bringing people together in weekly groups to listen to poems and stories read aloud. Thoughts and experiences are shared; personal and social connections are made. There will be two sessions lasting one hour, max. 9 people each, and  starting promptly at 1.00 pm and 2.30pm.

2-4pm - How to get your poetry published - Maggie Butt

Maggie Butt takes you through the things she wishes she'd known when she started out in the curious world of poetry publishing, from magazines and competitions to pamphlet and book publication, readings and festivals. Using the story of her own experience, she takes you through the highs and lows, the mistakes and successes and reads a few poems from her books. The workshop will be followed by an Open Mike. Poets welcome to read one poem of up to 40 lines. Click here to register.

7pm Ally Pally Prison - Friern Barnet Community Library, N11 3DS Maggie Butt 

A multi-voice, illustrated presentation from Maggie Butt’s surprising and moving first world war history, 'Ally Pally Prison Camp'. Maggie Butt’s book and presentation combines the prisoners’ own words from letters and memoirs, with evocative photographs, full colour paintings by internee George Kenner and her own poems plus The Story of Private John Parr with Mick Crick.

Friday 30th May

10.30am - Walk 'Literary Finchley' - Guide: Paul Baker - meet Finchley Central Station

An ancient road links two villages, Church End and East End, better known today as Finchley Central and East Finchley. Along the way, you'll see lands once owned by the Knights Templar, and a former Manor House which is haunted by a suspected lover of Anne Boleyn. You'll also see Finchley's connections to famous writers -- Charles Dickens, Sir Edmund Gosse and Will Self, amongst others -- and painters -- William Hogarth, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and Ford Madox Brown. We'll also hear about the writings of Inky Stephens, and the close connection between his father and one of the greatest and most dearly loved of the Romantic poets. £5.00 - pay on the day. 

2-4pm – Dragon’s Pen – Church End Library, N3 1TR

Pitch your novel or story in five minutes to literary dragons for instant feedback and a chance to win mentoring sessions. FULLY BOOKED

4-6pm - Getting Started - North Finchley Library, N12 9HP

With Allen Ashley FULLY BOOKED

7-10pm - Spoken Word

Friern Barnet Community Library, N11 3DS

Donation of £3 requested for this event. “Spoken Word Showcase” hosted by Allen Ashley. Including readings from Amy Bird, Andrea Michael and Bill Todd. Come along and hear a great range of fiction, poetry and non-fiction. Reading spots allocated on strictly first come, first served basis. Enquiries to: greenacrewriters@gmail.com

Saturday 31st May Stephens House & Gardens*, N3 3QE

10.30-12.30 - Blogging & Twitter Workshop - With Emily Benet

Workshop: Developing Your Online Author Profile - Blogging & Twitter

The workshop will explore ways of developing your online presence to build a readership and increase your chances of publication. It will focus on blogging and using Twitter to best effect. There will be plenty of tips and advice! To reserve a place at this workshop see link below or email: greenacrewriters@gmail.com Tickets £15.00

2-4.45pm Main Festival Event - Tickets for this event are £5.00 and include a delicious tea or coffee and Danish pastry. Click here to book ticket

Caitlin Davies is the author  of five novels, including The Ghost of Lily Painter (2011), which is is based in part on a true story - two Edwardian baby farmer who were hanged at Holloway Prison in 1903. Caitlin has also written five non-fiction books, and several short stories

Alex Wheatle (MBE) is the author of several novels. His first book, Brixton Rock (1999), tells the story of a 16-year old boy of mixed race, in 1980s Brixton. Its sequel, Brenton Brown, was published in 2011. In 2010, he wrote the one-man autobiographical performance, Uprising.Alex Wheatle was awarded an MBE for services to literature in 2008.

                    

Rosie Fiore is the author of two bestselling novels and a novella, all published by Quercus, and two novels published by Struik in South Africa. Her novels This Year’s Black and Babies in Waiting were both long-listed for the Times Literary Awards in South Africa. She also works as a blogger and copywriter. Rosie lives in Mill Hill with her husband and two sons.

Greenacre Writers

Will be reading from their writing as well as Greenacre Guests: 

Emily Benet and Andrea Michael

4.45-6pm - Panel

Men Writing as Women and Women Writing as Men

Panellists: 

Alex Wheatle, Caitlin Davies, Rosie Fiore, Miriam Halahmy.  

Chaired by Allen Ashley. 

There will be an opportunity for audience questions also.

*Formerly Avenue House