The word is you are wanted for new book

THE imaginations, ideas and thoughts of talented poets and writers from across south Warwickshire will soon be published in a professional new book.

This year Warwick Words Festival celebrates its tenth anniversary, so to mark the occasion, committee members wanted to do something a bit different.

Festival director Helen Meeke said: “We have some of the country’s finest writers visiting the festival every year to discuss their books and we thought it would be a great idea to celebrate the talent we have locally.

“Both children and adults love the festival, so we thought it appropriate to make this a true community venture by working with local schools, writers’ groups and the wider population of the Warwick area.”

With an introduction written by festival patron and renowned scriptwriter Andrew Davies, the publication, Warwick Words, will include around 140 selected comtributions from children and adults - whether previously published or not - who are free to choose what they write about.

Andrew Maiden, of the festival committee, said: “It could be 20 lines of poetry, a 200-word short story or fiction piece. There is no criteria or theme people must stick to, but they must be from Warwick or surrounding areas. It’s to get people celebrating books and enjoying the festival.

“There is lots of talent in the area but it’s very difficult to get something published. We want to have a book that looks really good so people can get a real sense of pride.”

Committee members and volunteers will choose what they judge to be the best entries, then the book will be compiled, printed and bound at the Warwick Printing Company and officially launched at a special event at the start of the festival in October.

Copies will be available to buy throughout the festival and at Warwick Books in Market Square, Warwick, and through Amazon.

Short stories and non-fiction pieces should be no longer than 200 words and poems no longer than 20 lines. Submissions, along with the writer’s name and contct details, can be made online or sent to the Tourist Information Centre in Jury Street, Warwick CV34 4EW.

The festival takes place from October 1 to 9, but there is also a programme of Warwick Words Xtra events taking place throughout the year, starting with An Evening with Lord Digby Jones at the Bridge House Theatre on Tuesday April 12. Further details are available online.