Books News: Gruff Rhys to headline Dinefwr Literature Festival, plus the latest news from the world of literature
GRUFF RHYS & OTHERS CONFIRMED FOR DINEFWR LITERATURE FESTIVAL
Featuring live literature, spoken word, comedy and family-friendly events, the annual Dinefwr Literature Festival (20-22 Jun), takes place in Dinefwr Park and Castle in the heart of the Welsh Carmarthenshire countryside. They have confirmed their lineup this week, including an appearance from Super Furry Animals/Neon Neon main man Gruff Rhys. He will be presenting selections from his new album, book and app project, American Interior, exploring the life and achievements of 18th century explorer John Evans.
Picturesque Newton House Dinefwr in Wales, which hosts the Dinefwr Literature Festival
Also appearing at this year's festival are Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens, who presents an event called Lyricism, celebrating the marriage of spoken word and music; Cate Le Bon, who plays an exclusive gig; and a celebration of the work of Dylan Thomas, in the year of the great Welsh poet's centenary. There is also a strand on feminism featuring talks from Charlotte Church, Kat Banyard of UK Feminista, and Laura Bates, founder of the Everyday Sexism project. There will be appearances, readings and panel discussions featuring authors such as Helen Dunmore, Horatio Clare, Dan Kieran, David Whitehouse and Shaun Usher, among others; comedy from Daniel Kitson, Bridget Christie and others; and poetry performances from the likes of Hollie McNish and Attila the Stockbroker. For full details and tickets, visit the festival's site.
EVENT: COMICS TALK & AUCTION @ STOCKBRIDGE LIBRARY, EDINBURGH
Scottish comics legend Alan Grant is one of the most celebrated writers behind the early Judge Dredd comics; a host of other titles featuring the likes of Batman and Nick Fury; and Kidnapped, an adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel. On 2 April, Grant and artists Liz and Scott Davidson will be at Edinburgh's Stockbridge Library from 6-7pm to discuss their new collaboration, Scott vs. Zombies. The event is in support of National Autism Awareness Day, and will also feature an auction of artwork by Robin Smith, with all proceeds going to autism charities. The event is free – find details here.
EVENT: MEET THE AUTHOR - LOUISE WELSH @ BLACKWELL'S, EDINBURGH
Author Louise Welsh will be reading from her new novel A Lovely Way To Burn, the first part of a trilogy about the outbreak of a global pandemic, at Blackwell's Bookshop in Edinburgh on 3 April. The event is free, and after the reading, Welsh will answer questions from the audience and Claire Black, journalist for The Scotsman. Welsh has previously written five novels, including The Girl on the Stairs and Cutting Room. The event is free – find details here.
ON TOUR: BEN MELLOR'S 'ANTHROPOETRY'
BBC Radio 4 Poetry Slam Champion Ben Mellor will be touring his 2013 Fringe hit Anthropoetry throughout the UK in April and May, with appearances in London, Oxford and Newcastle, finishing up with an appearance at Manchester's Three Minute Theatre event on 31 May. Mellor describes the show as "a stand-up-poetry-and-music-
EVENT: BOTANICAL GARDENS LIBRARY TOUR @ EDINBURGH SCIENCE FESTIVAL
As part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival, Edinburgh's Botanical Gardens are offering a rare opportunity to explore their Library and Archive collection, including more than 60,000 books, manuscript materials and original botanical illustrations. The event is free, but ticketed – check here for details.