2022 over 13s programme now complete!

We’re utterly thrilled to say that the two over-13s tents are now fully programmed for Wild Words Festival 2022. If you’re hoping to appear, please do consider sending us a proposal in August, when we’ll be programming 2023!

Watch this space for a proposal form later in the year.

Wild Words Fest & Covid Safety

So many of us have had to cancel plans since the beginning of 2020 – it’s natural to feel cautious about booking for an event. Here’s what we’re doing at Wild Words Fest to keep you (and your booking) safe.

Full Refunds until May 27th – Whatever your circumstances you can cancel, no questions asked, up to a week before the event. You will recieve a full refund of your ticket price.

Covid-insurance included – if you need to self isolate and cannot attend the event then send details to us at info@wildwordsfest.com with the subject line Covid Refund for a refund (minus a £7.50 per ticket excess.) You’ll also receive a discount code for priority booking for the 2023 event.

Covid-Safe event structure: We have marquees for shelter, but in the event is classed as an outdoor event as long as 50% of the side panels are open. That means that – should circumstances dictate that outdoor-only events are mandated or just a good idea – we can keep you safe with plenty of fresh air.

Full Covid risk assessment: We’ll be taking the measures that have been shown to reduce transmission – ventilation, limiting numbers, using masks in enclosed spaces, getting our vaccines. We will also encourage everyone to do their part to keep the festival healthy and safe. Depending on the prevailing circumstances we may carry out temperature checks on arrival. We encourage the use of LFTs before attending. Don’t forget, if you get that dreaded double, send us proof of your Covid status to get a ticket refund (minus £7.50 excess) plus a discount on the 2023 event. And our wishes for a speedy recovery!

Françoise Hélène

Next on our lineup is Françoise Hélène, a poet and a Forest School educator who loves unlocking imaginations by bringing stories to life and teaching in the most creative ways. Winner of the Canada Book Awards and the White Label Prize, Françoise Hélène weaves magic and creates space for growth for adults and children alike.

At#WildWordsFest, Françoise is leading workshops on poetry and storytelling.

Book early for the best discounts!
https://wildwordsfest.eventbrite.com

Paul Kenney

Biographer Paul Kenny is proof that non-fiction is full of engrossing stories. He is coming to #WildWordsFest to tell us about Amherst Villiers, otherwise known as “The Man Who Superchargerd #Bond.”

He now turns his pen to another polymath, Whitney Straight, who was a racing driver, fighter pilot and industrialist.

On Friday 3rd June 2022, Paul will talk about these extraordinary innovators, bringing their place in history to life.

Book early for the best discounts!
https://wildwordsfest.eventbrite.com

Nicola Penfold

We’re so excited to have Nicola Penfold at Wild Words Fest 2022. She writes incredible environmental fiction for young people, and will be joining us for a nature walk, and as part of our panel on whether SciFi can change the world.

Nicola’s debut novel Where the World Turns Wild was chosen as a Future Classic for the BookTrust School Library Pack, and shortlisted for several regional awards. It won the Redhill Academy Trust Book Award. Her latest book Between Sea and Sky has been shortlisted for the Teach Primary Book Awards 2021.

Book before the end of October for a 20% discount!
https://wildwordsfest.eventbrite.com

Jeevani Charika

Jeevani Charika (“For the record, it’s pronounced Jeev-uh-nee.”) writes women’s fiction, usually featuring heroines of colour. “A Convenient Marriage” was shortlisted for the RNA Contemporary Romance Novel in 2020.

She also writes contemporary romantic comedy with a hint of British cynicism under the pen name Rhoda Baxter. Jeevani writes insightful guides on writing and publishing including “How to Write Romantic Comedy” (with Jane Lovering) and “Getting Published is Just the Begining.”

Jeevani describes herself as “a former scientist, a fan of Lego, an embarrassing mum, a part time geek (see ’embarrassing mum’) and a very short person.”

At the festival she’ll be sharing what she’s learned about the psychology of fiction, how to write romantic comedy, and the difference between traditional and self publishing.



Book early for the best discounts! Super early bird ends on Oct 31st!
https://wildwordsfest.eventbrite.com

Vaseem Khan

International bestseller Vaseem Khan is joining Wild Words Festival to talk about the psychology of fiction, and about the history of India.

Vaseem is the author of two crime series set in India, the Baby Ganesh Agency series set in modern Mumbai, and the Malabar House historical crime novels set in 1950s Bombay.

Cover of Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan

His first book, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra, was a Times bestseller, now translated into 15 languages. The second in the series won the Shamus Award in the US. In 2018, he was awarded the Eastern Eye Arts, Culture and Theatre Award for Literature. 

Vaseem was born in England, but spent a decade working in India. In 2021, the first in his Malabar House series, Midnight at Malabar House won the Crime Writers Association Historical Dagger, the world’s premier award for historical crime fiction.

Book now for the best discounts! Early bird prices end on October 31st.

Book now on eventbrite

First Site Visit

Today, the Wild Words Festival team met at Colesdale Farm, just outside Potter’s Bar, to start imagining how the site will come together. This beautiful grassland is great for wild-style camping, and it feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere: you would hardly believe you can get here with an Oyster Card!

Picture of a meadow and woodland under stormy skies
Would you believe this is accessible by Oyster card?

We’ve also started reacking out to potential stars of our show. If you have a new book coming out in spring/summer 2022, or you’re a poet or performer who thinks you’d fit our inspiting, insightful, and inclusive bill, please let us know!