News

Our 2021 International Competitions got off to a racing start on 1 April with over 30 entries arriving in the first couple of days. Yet again it looks as though the adjective ‘international’ was aptly chosen: there are poems, short stories and books for children coming from all over the place – and covering a […]

Ever since 2014 the Wells Festival of Literature has been recognised by its iconic green and yellow apostrophes.  Now the Festival has reinvigorated those well-known literary markers, making them bolder and brighter yet still a perfect reminder of what our Festival is all about: namely a celebration of the written word. This innovative departure for […]

With the 2020 Festival over, and the streamed events all watched, our other book business began: the business of inspiring a love of literature in the younger generation. Funding virtual author talks in local schools has been an important feature of our work this year – but there was nothing virtual about the books we […]

Professor Helen Taylor was a speaker and an interviewer in Wells this year. She describes the experience: As I struggled into a pair of sleek satin tights on a Tuesday morning, I realised I hadn’t worn a skirt or dressed smartly for over eight months. It was a wet October day and I was off […]

Iain Dale, opening our 28th Festival on Friday 16 October, related how delighted he was to be in Wells – live. Out of some 36 or more literary festivals throughout the country this year, a mere handful were running any live events, Wells being one of the fearless few! By the time it ends on […]

We are very sad to report that, in view of the new Covid restrictions announced for London, Gina Miller has decided it would be imprudent to travel to Wells. She will now be speaking to the Festival ‘virtually’, and we are confident that her talk will be as inspirational and entertaining as originally planned for Friday […]

The countdown to the first event of the Festival has begun and with it a last-minute change to the programme which might make you shudder with fear, especially if you are a novelist! Elly Griffiths, who was due to be discussing dangerous women in crime with fellow author Lucy Atkins, will be appearing completely alone […]

Several Festival events have already sold out, but don’t despair! You haven’t missed seeing the sell-out speakers because this year we will be live-streaming every single event. Which means you can enjoy it at home at the same time as our audience in Cedars Hall. Of course you might still prefer to come to the […]

You may have been concerned that our Festival in October would be affected by the Government’s most recent announcement on social gatherings. Please be assured that this is not the case. Our plans regarding putting on our 28th Festival remain the same and we will continue to adhere to the regulations that ensure venues such […]

Tickets for our 28th Festival have been on sale for a very short time and yet events are already beginning to sell out. Luckily, there are 33 events lined up over the nine days. So you still have plenty to choose from: events of such great variety that a week in Wells will feel more […]