Award-winning authors at Prestwich Book Festival

Literature lovers from far and wide are invited to the second Prestwich Book Festival which runs from 12 May to 16 June.

The festival has been organised in conjunction with Bury Library Service, with funding from the Arts Council “Grants for the Arts” programme and support from local businesses.

It includes some high profile events at Prestwich Library and Adult Learning Centre:

* Booker Prize shortlisted author Alison Moore, who is originally, from Whitefield, on Saturday 15 June

* Ukulele-playing poet Paul Cookson on the morning of Saturday 25 May, accompanied by inflatable goalposts and artefacts from the National Football Museum where he is poet-in-residence

* Award-winning young adult writer Melvin Burgess with his spooky vampire novel “Hunger”, set in Manchester (Tuesday 14 May)

* Jenn Ashworth, one of the North West's most acclaimed authors, with her latest novel “The Friday Gospels” on Wednesday 12 June

Festival director Ebba Brooks said: “If you need food for thought, drop into Prestwich Library and Adult Learning Centre on Saturday 11 May and Monday 13 May – there will be a display of cupcakes adorned with poetry for people to eat, the results of an #ediblepoetry competition I’ve been running.

“We’re also launching a book review writing competition in Bury schools for kids in Years 6, 7 and 8 in memory of Hazel Townson, who was a librarian in Bury for many years and a well known children's writer who died last year. Her daughter Cath Atherden is going to be involved, and the competition will run until mid-November.

“There are lots more events going on in local venues including the Church Inn, Ellie Magpie craft shop, Time for Tea, The British Legion, the Maccabi Centre and Heaton Park Sports and Social club, as well as at the Manchester Jewish Museum. Come along and have a great time!”

The festival website, with lots more info, is at: http://www.prestwichbookfestival.net/

ENDS

Press release issued: 7 May 2013.

Picture attached: Alison Moore.