festivals, and writing events

(in person and online)

Books, whilst usually enjoyed individually, bring people together. There are hundreds of book and literature festivals across the UK, and many more bookshops running events as well. You can certainly seek them out and volunteer to help out, or even just attend to see what the events are like and if you’d like to be part of that side of the industry.

Becky Shaw Ledbury Poetry Festival

Becky works at Ledbury Poetry Festival as well as St David’s Cathedral Festival. She has 30 years of experience in publishing.

“I was not sure what I wanted to do after uni. I had no contacts of any kind or any relations in London. But knew I wanted to expand my horizons and go there. So I managed to get some odd jobs, and that led to hearing about a job packing books in a warehouse under a church…. I was asked to help out ‘upstairs’ which was a publishing company in this converted church. That led, eventually, to an entry-level job in publishing.

Take every opportunity you can. You never know what it might lead to!”

Kurly Mcgeachie Schools And Community Workshop Leader

Kurly McGeachie is an experienced poet and community workshop leader, working in schools with children of all ages, as well as in Pupil Referral Units and prisons. Kurly’s company, Memorhyme, provides young people and adults alike with workshops where language and performance allows them to explore experiences, feelings and issues they might not otherwise be able to. Kurly’s work support social change through action, and was developed after years of his work in schools and communities which didn’t feel that the arts, poetry and performance were “for them”.