Ludlow’s very own literary festival, Lit Bits is a brand new weekend of words with a difference, centring on play and interaction with workshops and events for all ages.
From children’s writers Tom Percival and Sita Brahmachari to best-selling author Michel Faber, from renowned memoirist Tiffany Murray to comedian and bookworm Robin Ince, there’s something for everyone!
Created by Jess Laurie (Ludlow Assembly Rooms), Rachel Buchanan (Arvon Foundation and previously Free Word, London) and Ludlow writer Liz Hyder (recent winner of the Nero Book Award for Children’s Fiction), Lit Bits brings award-winning, best-selling writers to the Marches on a mission to encourage, inspire, and entertain.
Liz Hyder said: “We’re really excited to be bringing such a great range of writers – some with local connections and others who haven’t been here before – to our lovely town. We’ve got family-friendly workshops, masterclasses for grown-up and aspiring writers, and even a comedy show celebrating all things books! Lit Bits is going to be great fun!”
Friday 14th February sees acclaimed children’s writer Tom Percival (from Bishops Castle) and Sita Brahmachari (educated in Shropshire) running workshops in local Ludlow schools whilst Hebridean poet and creative writing tutor Kevin MacNeil hosts a full day workshop at Ludlow Assembly Rooms on how to harness your creativity through calm.
Saturday sees further workshops for children and families from both Tom and Sita alongside a memoir-writing workshop from the best-selling Tiffany Murray whose own memoir, My Family and Other Rock Stars, was a book of the year in five national papers.
In the afternoon, Tiffany is joined by Michel Faber, best-selling author of The Crimson Petal and the White and Under the Skin which was adapted into an acclaimed film starring Scarlett Johannsson. His latest, Listen, is about why we love and listen to music. Tiffany and Michel will be discussing music and writing alongside books and creativity. Later in the day, Kevin MacNeil will run a workshop for adults using alphabet pasta to make poetry!
On Saturday evening, Radio 4 favourite comedian, writer and bookworm Robin Ince will take to the stage having rummaged for second-hand books in Ludlow earlier in the day. Come and find out what strange, wondrous and downright peculiar books he’s unearthed and don’t forget to bring along your own book gems to celebrate too!
Tickets are on sale now and the full line-up is on the Ludlow Assembly Rooms website at ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk.
The organisers would like to thank our funders: Ludlow Town Council (supporting young people in the town to access creative activities through subsidising the family and school events), Arvon Foundation (supporting Sita’s school event as part of their outreach programme bringing creative writing to young people in Shropshire), and Friends of Ludlow Library (sponsoring one of our main adult events).
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