York St John University proudly sponsors York Literature Festival’s celebration of the written and spoken word

This year’s York Literature Festival is one of its most ambitious yet with 38 events being held across the city centre. 

York St John University is proud to be the festival’s main sponsor, supporting its mission to promote local writers, groups and performers, as well as providing the community with an annual programme of engaging literary events.     

Events will run from Wednesday 28 February to Saturday 30 March across numerous venues in the city, including York St John University, Grand Opera House York, The Crescent, Theatre@41 and York Explore Library and Archive.  

Now in its 17th year, the festival launches with actress, broadcaster and television presenter Caroline Quentin discussing her life-long passion for gardening in her latest book, Drawn to the Garden.  

Other prominent festival guests include: 

• Miki Berenyi – former lead singer with the band Lush, discussing her autobiography with Dr Fraser Mann from York St John University 
• Natalie Haynes – best-selling author, broadcaster and comedian who will introduce us to stories of Greek goddesses 
• Grace Dent – food critic, columnist and presenter, talking about all things food in her memoir, Hungry 
• Lemn Sissay – BAFTA-nominated, award-winning writer and broadcaster, who will recite a selection of his life-affirming short poems. 

The York St John University campus plays host to a number of eclectic events, including: 

• Folk Horror Day on Saturday 2 March, an event that is proving to be so popular the venue has been changed to accommodate demand 
• Writing the Future on Tuesday 5 March, a celebration of science fiction and speculative fiction 
• A panel discussion on how to get published with 6 UK agents on Wednesday 6 March 
• York St John lecturers Dr Adam Smith and Dr Jo Waugh bringing their podcast ‘Smith and Waugh Talk Satire’ live to the stage on Sunday 17 March. 

The festival has a large input from York St John students, with MA Publishing students planning and hosting the Polari Literary Salon on Thursday 7 March, the International Women’s Day Poetry Showcase on Friday 8 March and a Zine Fair and Workshop on Tuesday 19 March. 

Creative Writing students will also run the Beyond the Walls Student Showcase on Monday 11 March, where members of the University community will be reading out their own creative pieces. 

Dr Rob O'Connor, York Literature Festival Director and Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing and Creative Industries at York St John University, said:    

“We are delighted that York St John University is sponsoring the York Literature Festival again in what promises to be another exciting and diverse programme of events.  

“We really do have something for everyone – from nationally recognised names in the world of literature, politics, music and broadcasting to local poets and authors.  

“It is such a joy to see this festival become more ambitious each year that it runs, attracting visitors to York from all round the UK, and it’s wonderful to see our own students benefit so much from taking part and engaging with such high-profile literary figures and events.” 

Tickets are on sale through the York Literature Festival website.