2024 FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
Wednesday 5th June, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Festival Reading Group
On the eve of the festival we have a special Women in Word reading group led by Alice Mount looking at the theme of home and displacement in the short stories of Jean Rhys.
Thursday 6th June, 11am to 1pm
Writing workshop with Linda Cleary
Looking at both interior landscape (of self) and exterior location in relation to: (dis)place(d). In this psychogeographical exploration we will create short narratives and fragments of writing; whether poetry, fiction or narrative non fiction.
More on Linda here: https://www.freewriterscentre.org/about.html
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR TICKETS
Thursday 6th June, 2pm to 3pm
The Starting Point – a roundtable discussion with new and emerging writers
Featuring two local writers: Nancy Thompson will discuss her debut narrative non fiction work Child of the Commune and Sheelagh Barton will talk about working with near future dystopia in her novel Chip. Hosted by writer and festival director Linda Cleary with Q&A open to the floor.
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR TICKETS
Thursday 6th June, 7pm to 9pm
Screenings of short poetry films
Our second year of showcasing poetry films made by Cornwall connected women. Come along to this inspiring evening of fresh work from the region. Introduction by prize-winning poetry film-maker, poet, and theorist, director and editor Sarah Tremlett.
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR TICKETS
Friday 7th June, 12 noon to 2pm
Poetry Film Roundtable
For poetry film makers and all those interested. Prize-winning poetry film-maker, poet, and theorist, director and editor Sarah Tremlett will lead this discussion looking at the process and practice of creating a poetry film; its component parts and the differences in approach. Films from the previous evening's screening will be highlighted and the filmmakers encouraged to take part in the discussion, as well as everyone attending. The event allows for brainstorming, valuable tips and sharing of ideas, as well as a Q&A.
More on Sarah here: www.liberatedwords.com www.sarahtremlett.com
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR TICKETS
Friday 7th June, 7.30pm to 9pm
Ella Frears poetry reading and in-conversation with Q&A
We are so pleased to have Ella Frears at this year's Women in Word literary festival. Ella is an exciting, modern poet and writer with acclaimed published works. Her new book, Goodlord, is due to launch soon with Rough Trade Books and she is currently the Royal Literary Fund Fellow for the Courtauld Institute of Art. Ella will be reading from a selection of her work, followed by a short interval and then an in-conversation with Q&A.
More on Ella here: https://ellafrears.com/biography/
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR TICKETS
Saturday 8th June, 11am to 1pm
Literary Crafting with Maggi Livingstone and crafters
Join us at The Hypatia Trust to stitch some of the words we are in danger of losing. In their book, The Lost Words, Jackie Morris and Robert MacFarlane highlighted words of the natural world such as bluebells, dandelions and acorns which are being replaced by technical words such as blog, broadband and many others. We will provide material and thread for the event.
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR TICKETS
Saturday 8th, 2pm to 3.30pm
‘A Whole Lot of Rather Scummy Literary History that Hasn't Yet Come to Light'. A two part event with Dr Jen McDerra and Sue Hill
Dr Jen McDerra will share the findings of her work recovering women's hidden contributions to books and broadcasting. Jen will then be joined by Sue Hill where they will talk about their shared commitment to unearthing and prioritising the lives and words of women in Cornwall.
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR TICKETS
Saturday 8th, 7pm to 9.30pm
The Big Finale Party with DJ Nina, at The Union ballroom
Our Women in Word festival ends with a celebration! A grand finale in the Georgian lounge and ballroom with DJ La Niña - a Brazilian British DJ, resident in Penzance, playing a bespoke international mix of women singers and musicians on vinyl ranging across genres from salsa to samba via soca, reggae, disco and jazz, and spanning the second half of the 20th century. A celebration of women's voices, musicianship and resilience, all on vinyl. A unique cultural experience.
Last year we had a costume theme, this year it is 'come as you are' – so the only dress code is whatever you decide! Grab a ticket before they go!
Full Festival Pass - Get a discounted pass allowing you to go to all events on the programme!