July 2014 ~ Events for Book Lovers, Writers and Curious Souls

There are so many cool events going on in July, it was honestly a nightmare not to get sidetracked. I couldn't help it! The result is a list involving events in Bolton, Bury, Harrogate, Huddersfield, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Preston and Whalley.

I'm also trying something different on the way we publish our event list... this month's events are listed by date and have highlighted tags just in case you are looking for something in particular, for example, a movie screening. Tell me what you think about it and if it makes it easier for you to find what you need when you need it. 

Enjoy your July! :)

COMPETITIONS

Deadline: Fri 28th August ~ Are you an aspiring crime writer? Then The Northern Crime Competition is looking for you. The winning novel will be published on eBook and paper. More information. 

Deadline: Sun 31t August ~ Just the thing for aspiring poets. The Portico Brotherton Poetry Prize is now open for entries. The theme is 'Conflict and Community'. You can focus on particular conflicts and their effect on the community or write from the perspective of an individual experiencing conflict. Check categories and details.

REGULAR EVENTS

Don't forget to check your local library and bookshop for events. Most of them host book clubs and writing groups. Libraries, in particular, are very good at hosting events for young children.

Bookshop Foyles is now offering Literary Tours around England & Wales. If you enjoy exploring the places where literature meets real life, you can check dates and details here.

Tue 22nd July ~ BookMachine London with Sam Missingham. BookMachine is a networking event for anyone involved in the world of book publishing. They also regularly invite speakers to talk about their experience and challenges in the industry - this month's guest speaker is Sam Missingham, Head of Events at HarperCollins. Tickets and info.

Mon 28th July ~ The ScRibble Creative Writing Group meets on the last Monday of every month at The New Continental Inn in Preston. It's free to join and it offers a monthly challenge, writing exercises and constructive feedback on your writing. Ideal if you want to strengthen your writing or build your confidence in your writing skills. Location and more info. 

THIS MONTH...

Until Sat 12th July ~ Love Story by Erich Segal, Octagon Theatre, Bolton. The stage adaptation of Erich Segal's best-selling novel by the same name leaves the London West End for the first time and gains a new musical score by Howard Goodall. Tickets and times here. Tags: THEATRE, STAGE ADAPTATIONS

Sun 13th July ~ Book Signing by Abbi Glines, the self-published author who has become a phenomenon in the US. She comes to the UK to sign copies of her book Sometimes it Lasts at Waterstones Arndale Centre, Manchester. Arrive early to avoid disappointment. More info. Tags: BOOK SIGNINGS

Until Sun 13th July ~ Joga Bola! A Free Brazilian Cultural Festival takes place at the Rich Mix Art Centre in London. Experience Brazilian music, film and culture by top artists from the UK, Brazil and Europe, all of which are in the forefront of the contemporary Brazilian scene. Check dates and the line-up. Tags: FESTIVALS, BRAZILIAN CULTURE, MUSIC, FILMS

Until Sun 13th July ~ Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival takes place at the very Edwardian St George's Hotel in Harrogate. Meet fellow book lovers, relax and soak up the eclectic programme. Details and line-up here. Tags: LITERATURE FESTIVALS, FESTIVALS

 
Mon 14th July ~ An Evening with M.R. Carey, when he celebrates the paperback publication of his book The Girl With All the Gifts by reading and discussing deleted scenes as well as reading exclusive extracts from his next novel. All taking place at the Motel Bar in Liverpool, who has even created an exclusive cocktail for the event! Check details and purchase tickets. Tags: BOOK SIGNINGS

Until Mon 14th July ~ The Amazon Film Festival continues to bring something new and exotic to the Rich Mix Art Centre in London, providing you with a taste of Amazon's culture, religion, society, environment and social-political issues. Photo exhibition Visions of the Amazon will follow the festival showcasing the work of Amazonian photographers until Thu 31st of July. All film screenings are followed by a grand Amazonian Party. More details. Tags: ART, BRAZILIAN CULTURE, FILMS, FESTIVALS, PHOTOGRAPHY

Tue 15th July ~ The Multiplatform Premiere Movie Screening is not only FREE, it also provides the nibbles! Indie movie The Knife that Killed Me is the story of teenager Paul Varderman as he reflects on the events leading to his death. It'll be screened in the 50-screens media wall of the Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester. Super cool! There are only 150 tickets so if you want to attend you must RSVP to guarantee your space. Find out more and RSVP here. Tags: FILMS, MOVIE SCREENINGS
 

Tue 15th - Wed 16th July ~ Brazilian Jazz singer Leny Andrade performs at Ronni Scott's in London. Check times and purchase tickets. Tags: BRAZILIAN CULTURE, MUSIC

Wed 16th July ~ Vixen Book Launch, author Rosie Garland signs and launches her new book Vixen at the beautiful Portico Library in Manchester. Honestly, the library alone is worth the visit, but if you can team it up with a book launch... Bingo!!! Tickets and times here. Tags: BOOK LAUNCH, BOOK SIGNINGS

Thu 17th July ~ An Evening with Terry Hayes, author talk, Q&A and signing at Waterstones Deansgate, Manchester, celebrating his newest book I am a Pilgrim. Tickets and details. Tags: BOOK SIGNINGS

Thu 17th - Sun 20th July ~ The Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival returns to Harrogate bringing a fab programme including crime authors talks, a murder-mystery evening, discussions on the importance of the "twist" in crime writing and the route to publishing, the debut of exciting new authors, and the Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Awards. Tickets and events guide. Tags: LITERATURE FESTIVALS, FESTIVALS, WRITING

Thu 17th, 24th and 31st July ~ Screenfields is the al fresco cinema at Spinningfields, Manchester, screening classics from different eras. Relax on the yellow deck chairs and don't forget to take advantage of the full array of restaurants and bars all around before, after or during the screenings. Tickets and showtimes. Tags: MOVIE SCREENINGS

Thu 17th July - Sat 16th August ~ The stage adaptation of Jules Verne's classic novel Around the World in 80 Days debuts at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Tickets and performance times. Tags: THEATRE, STAGE ADAPTATIONS

Fri 18th - Sun 20th July ~ Shakespeare on The Lawns is the al fresco performance of two of Shakespeare's most famous plays celebrating the 450th anniversary of his birth. It takes place at the same location as the Screenfields listed above. Tickets and performance times. Tags: THEATRE

Fri 18th - Fri 25th July ~ 24:7 Theatre Festival takes place in Manchester and showcases emerging artists from the region. Expect readings, scripts in development, world premiere productions and much more. Tickets and festival guide. Tags: THEATRE, WRITING

Sat 19th July ~ Brazilica Festival & Carnival is the UK's only annual Brazilian festival and samba Carnival. The festival actually starts on Fri 11th of July, but it's main event takes place on Sat 19th and includes a Carnival parade, a Brazilian Market, and a line-up of music performances at its main stage at Williamson Square in the heart of Liverpool. Definitely not to be missed! Event overview here and festival guide here. Tags: BRAZILIAN CULTURE, CARNIVAL, FESTIVALS, MUSIC

Sat 19th July ~ Poets and Troubadours is the National Trust event at Marsden Moor Estate, Huddersfield, that connects locations in the estate with almost 200 years of literary history, including poets Samuel Laycock, Ammon Wrigley and Simon Armitage. This event is free and includes poetry performances when the weather permits. For more information and dates contact the Estate directly by phone: 01484 847016 or via email: [email protected] Tags: POETRY, NATIONAL TRUST, DAYS OUT, HISTORY

Sun 21st July ~ Whalley Market takes place at the Swan Hotel Car Park in Whalley, Near Clitheroe, with a selection of food and craft goods. I always spend too much money when I go. Too many beautiful things! :) More info.  Tags: MARKETS, LOCAL EVENTS

Wed 23rd July ~ An Evening with Michelle Magorian, the author of the heart-breaking classic Goodnight Mister Tom spends the evening at Waterstones Piccadilly London talking to readers about her inspiration, the ongoing exhibition about her work, and singing books. For more details contact Waterstones Piccadilly directly by phone: 0207 851 2400. Tags: BOOK SIGNINGS, EXHIBITIONS

Wed 23th July - Sat 20th September ~ Michael Morpurgo's War Horse award-winning stage adaptation arrives at The Lowry in Manchester as part of its first UK tour. Tickets and performance times. Tags: THEATRE, STAGE ADAPTATIONS

Thu 24th July ~ The Unlikely Settler, an author event with Lipika Pelham is part of The Portico Library's Conflict and Community Programme. Pelham, a Bengali BBC Journalist, discusses her memoir of the Middle East conflict. More information here. Tags: BOOK SIGNINGS

Until Sat 23rd August ~ The Text Festival exhibitions continue to be displayed at the Bury Museum in Bury. The idea was to find new ways to mix language and art. If like me, you are a linguistic nut, you might particularly enjoy the Polari Mission exhibition, which basically documents the dying of a language about to become extinct. There are, of course, other two exhibitions on display just in case you are not a nerd. :) Find out more. Tags: ART, FESTIVALS, EXHIBITIONS, LINGUISTICS, WRITING