Martyn Bedford - Writer

The marvellous Ilkley Literature Festival is almost upon us and, having not taken part for a couple of years, I’m delighted to be involved in two events this time round.
On Saturday October 8th I’ll be sharing a stage with the American novelist Jennifer Donnelly, which is real privilege. She writes for adults and teenagers and will be reading from her new teen/YA novel, Revolution, at this event. It’s on my “to read” shelf and if it’s even half as good as A Gathering Light, her first novel for younger readers, it promises to be a treat. I’m very much looking forward to meeting and working with her. The event, where I’ll be reading from Flip, of course, is at the Ilkley Playhouse – click here for a link to the ILF webpage for more details and ticket/booking information.

Then, the following day, I’ll be running a couple of creative writing workshops in Otley Courthouse Arts Centre as part of ILF’s third annual WordsFest for budding writers aged 12 to 18. Click here for more information about this event and the rest of the young people’s programme.

The 2011 Ilkley Literature Festival has a stronger, more varied and more interesting line-up than ever – which is saying something because, in recent years, the festival has gone from strength to strength under the brilliant directorship of Rachel Feldberg.