[L]ibraries across Cumbria are looking forward to welcoming authors from the ‘Read Regional’ 2017 campaign throughout June and early July.
Read Regional is a celebration of new books from across the North of England, run in partnership by New Writing North and local authorities across the region. Founded in 2008, the campaign aims to connect authors with readers in libraries across the North. It has previously promoted authors including Melvin Burgess, Ann Cleeves, Kim Moore and Mari Hannah.
The 2017 campaign encourages readers to take a risk with their reading – by picking up a book by a new writer or by reading a different genre. Ten of this year’s selected titles are debuts, and the wide variety of literary fiction, crime fiction, memoir, creative non-fiction, poetry and writing for children offers readers the chance to try something different.
Six writers will be visiting libraries in Cumbria during June 2017:
- Monday 12 June, 2pm: Penrith Library – John Donaghue and Naomi Booth
- Friday 16 June, 2pm: Kendal Library – Jack Mapanje + Exploring Poetry workshop with Anna Woodford (part of Kendal Poetry Festival)
- Monday 19 June, 1.30pm: Barrow Library – Kathleen McKay
- Friday 23 June, 10.30am: Workington Library and 2pm: Whitehaven Library – Margaret Mulligan (for school pupils and staff only)
- Tuesday 4 July, 7pm: Carlisle Library – Gulwali Passarlay
Cumbria Libraries will create special displays of the books, while readers can also download a reading guide for each title and follow the authors as they write about their experiences on the New Writing North blog – www.newwritingnorth.com
Claire Malcolm, Chief Executive, New Writing North, said: “We are excited to announce this year’s Read Regional list, which must be one of our strongest yet. Read Regional is all about celebrating new books by authors in the North, and encouraging readers in the region to pick up a new title and perhaps come and meet the author in their local library. Libraries are the perfect places to challenge your reading, and we are fortunate to work with librarians who are passionate about promoting new authors and helping readers to find books they will love. We hope all readers will add a Read Regional title to their reading list.”
Helen Towers, Reader Development & Stock Manager for Cumbria Library Service said: “This is the second year Cumbria Libraries have taken part in Read Regional, and we are delighted to be hosting events with some of the best contemporary writers in the North of England, as well as offering our readers the exciting selection of featured books, and the opportunity to enjoy the work of our home-grown talent.”
