The festival, the first of its kind in Sutton Coldfield, will bring together more than 20 poets, authors, performers and creatives for a free weekend of talks, workshops, readings and live performances celebrating the literary and creative arts in the heart of the West Midlands.

The festival’s free daytime programme spans two full days and includes something for all interests and level of experience – from complete beginners to seasoned writers and lifelong book lovers.

Highlights include a live TV theme music composition workshop with David Lowe, the acclaimed composer behind the BBC News theme, alongside poetry readings, comedy writing workshops, nature writing, memoir writing, ghost story talks, fairytale writing for young people and much more.

Notable names on the programme include Tracy King, critically acclaimed memoirist and co-author of The Cost of Trust – the story of rogue Birmingham surgeon Ian Paterson – alongside Birmingham-based poet Saida Chowdhury, debut novelist and local author Anna Byk, and speculative fiction author A.R. Lerwill, whose talk explores the role of literature in providing healthy role models for young men.

Birmingham author and editor Kasim Ali will appear in conversation about his latest novel Who Will Remain – a blistering story set in Birmingham’s Alum Rock neighbourhood – and award-winning comedy writer Rach Sambrooks, runner-up in the 2025 Comedy Women in Print Prize, will lead a comedy writing workshop.

Several sessions will also be hosted at Harvey Norman’s Sutton Coldfield store in the Gracechurch Centre, Sutton Coldfield, as part of the festival’s partnership with the global retail brand, one of the festival’s key sponsors.

As the sun goes down on Saturday 12th September, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall will host a spectacular ticketed Evening Show – a variety showcase featuring a live TV theme music composition performance by David Lowe, vibrant bhangra dancing and a live jazz quintet.

Evening Show tickets are priced at £10 per adult and £5 for under 16s.