A schedule of events at Ilkley Literature Festival

Afghanistan – Why It All Went Wrong: Distinguished veteran TV journalist Sandy Gall opens the 2012 Festival. Few people have a more passionate interest in Afghanistan. Gall’s in-depth knowledge pre-dates the 1979 Soviet invasion and his commitment to ordinary Afghans caught in the conflict is well documented. He offers a penetrating analysis of what went wrong and asks, were the generals or the politicians to blame? King’s Hall, 7.30pm. Tickets £12 and £10.

Saturday, Sept 29

The Long and the Short of It – Getting Fiction Started: A unique opportunity to learn from one of the UK’s most highly regarded writers, award-winning author Michèle Roberts, Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. Take pen and paper. Book in advance. The Manor House, 11am to 1pm. Tickets £15 and £10.

Life to the Page: Once you have an idea, where do you take it and what’s the ‘right’ genre? Explore techniques for getting started and keeping going with Hilary Jenkins. There’ll be a chance to consider work in progress so take along a page of writing or outline of an idea to work on. For all levels. Take pen and paper. Book in advance. St Margaret’s Hall, 11am to 1pm. Tickets £15 and £10.

Press Pack: A chance for young people to learn how to write reviews and tweets with journalist Andrea Hardaker. Visit a Festival event, come back, write a review and see it posted online. £5 includes ‘press’ ticket to afternoon event. Ages 12–18. Bring packed lunch. Book in advance. Church House, 11am to 4pm Curator’s Talk: Jack Gibbon, Director of Antlers Gallery, Bristol and Assistant Director Juliet Burke, talk about their choices and intentions as curators of the Narrative Exhibition and the artists whose work is included. Free with refreshments. Book on (01943) 600066. The Manor House, 1pm to 2pm.

Review Workshop: Tips of the trade, including blogging and tweeting, from journalist Andrea Hardaker to help reviewing skills, whether as a complete beginner or a seasoned critic. Free press ticket to a festival event and reviews posted online. Tickets, £8 and £6, include free ‘press ticket’ to a festival event. Church House, 1.30pm to 3pm.

Games in the Park: Join the games leaders for fun family games, from a zany egg and spoon race to skipping and Kabaddi, and learn new rhymes from poets SilverFinger and James Nash. Free family event. Age 5–11. Bandstand on The Grove, 1.30pm to 3.30pm Bageye at the Wheel: BBC radio producer, Associate Fellow at the Yesu Persaud Centre for Caribbean Studies (University of Warwick) and acclaimed author of Negro with a Hat, Colin Grant shares his memoirs of life in a West Indian household in 1970s Luton. His father, Bageye, was an inveterate gambler at weekend-long poker sessions, in part to fund his dream of private education for his son. Ilkley Playhouse,1.30pm to 2.30pm. Tickets £4 and £3.

Titanic on Trial: Prize-winning author, critic, and journalist, Frances Wilson, goes behind the myths with former editor of Classic Boat magazine, Nic Compton. Ilkley Playhouse Wildman, 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Tickets £5 and £4.

Fragmented Stories: Collage a poem from fragments of memory with Festival Poet in Residence, Seni Seneviratne. An old family story, a character from your family tree, a story from your past – take fragmented stories, old photos, scraps of cloth and we will write poems, make collages using image and text and create miniature poetry boxes to hold them. Boxes, glue, scissors and limited materials provided. Book in advance. The Manor House, 2pm to 5pm. Tickets £12 and £8 Inconvenient People: Historian Sarah Wise provides a unique insight into a hidden aspect of Victorian middle class life, which saw unscrupulous people paying high fees to have ‘difficult’ family members put in lunatic asylums. St Margaret’s Hall, 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Tickets £5 and £4.

India, the Road Ahead: Mark Tully has lived in India for decades. His work as Chief of Bureau for the BBC in New Dehli has made his voice known around the world. No commentator is better placed to reveal what is really happening on the sub-continent. King’s Hall, 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Tickets £12 and £10.

Ignorance and Silence: Michèle Roberts discusses her new novel, a mesmerising exploration of guilt, faith, desire and judgment, set in 1930s France, in the company of novelist Georgina Harding whose Painter of Silence is an intimate and devastating portrait of Romania during and after World War II. Ilkley Playhouse, 3.15pm to 4.15pm. Tickets £5 and £4.

Poetry, Fun and Magic: Best-selling children’s poet Nick Toczek with jokes, poems and magic. At Ilkley Playhouse Wildman from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. Tickets are £5 adults and £3 children, age 5–11. Event begins with announcement of the Children’s Poetry Competition winners.

Contemporary Black British Writing: Dorothea Smartt, Associate Editor SABLE LitMag, Sheree Mack, Open University, and Kadija (George) Sessay, Publisher SABLE LitMag, examine ‘Black British’ as opposed to ‘Post-colonial’ and explore writers' movements to more diverse contents, the concerns of Black women writers and the history, development and future of this area of growing literary interest. At St Margaret’s Hall from 4.30pm to 5.30pm. tickets £4 and £3.

Three Houses, Many Lives: Renowned for her meticulous research (The Fields Beneath; Celestine, the vanished world of a French peasant woman), Gillian Tindall illuminates the changing face of England over four centuries through the people who inhabited a Cotswold vicarage, a girls' boarding school and an inner city Jacobean house. At Ilkley Playhouse Wharfeside from 5pm to 6pm. tickets £5 and £3.

Walking the Ancient Landscapes of Britain: Distinguished artist Philip Hughes describes his recording of eleven iconic walks across the length and breadth of Britain, via paintings, sketches, maps and notes. Ilkley Playhouse, 5.15pm to 6.15pm. Tickets £5 and £3.

A Tribute to Philip Larkin: Actors from Ilkley Playhouse with a performance of readings from Larkin's poetry and prose, celebrating a unique, inspiring writer, forever associated with Hull and its university. At Ilkley Playhouse, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £6 and £4.

In the Shadow of the Sword: Drawing on five years of research, Tom Holland, award-winning, best-selling author of Rubicon and Persian Fire, explores the end of an ancient world which encompassed the split between Christianity and Judaism and the complex birth of Islam. Ilkley Playhouse, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £5 and £3.

From Sofia to Sydney: Former British diplomat Sir Roger Carrick offers a, witty, behind-the-scenes look at diplomacy in action. St Margaret’s Hall, 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £5 and £4.

The Writers’ Group: Physical and metaphorical journeys with poetry, prose and electronic literature. A free fringe event. At Ilkley Playhouse Wildman, 9pm to 10pm.

Bambisanani – The First Five Years: How a local Yorkshire school and a school from one of South Africa's poorest regions have worked together. A free fringe event. At Ilkley Playhouse Wharfeside from 9pm to 10pm.

Sunday, September 30

Ancient Tracks: An outdoor masterclass with artist Philip Hughes for everyone from beginners to professionals. Meet at Cow and Calf car park. From 10.30am to 1.30pm. Bring large pads/loose sheets, 3B or 4B drawing pencils, folding chairs and waterproofs. Foam boards provided. Refreshments, parking and toilets available at the Cow and Calf car park. Book in advance. Tickets £15 and £10.

How to Get Published Masterclass: Editor of The Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook , the best-selling guide to publishers and publishing, Alysoun Owen offers practical expert advice on how to get published in the digital age. Book in advance. Rombalds Hotel, 11am to 1pm. Tickets £15 and £10.

Wereworld: Author and illustrator Curtis Jobling and his spooky Wereworld series. All Saints’ School, noon to 12.45pm. Tickets £4. Ages 8-12.

Stella Duffy Masterclass: An excitingly unpredictable workshop from novelist, playwright, comedy performer and experienced workshop leader Stella Duffy, with lots of practical exercises to try. All levels of experience. Book in advance. At Rombalds Hotel, from 11.30am to 1.30pm. Tickets £15 and £10.

Multi-lingual Mushaira: Poets and listeners are invited to the festival’s annual Mushaira, dedicated to the memory of poet and festival board member, Hafeez Johar. Come and enjoy Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, English and Gujarati poetry readings – with English translation. A relaxed, friendly atmosphere, great poetry and delicious Indian banquet. Free event. Ilkley Playhouse, 1pm to 4.30pm.

A Fan’s Guide To Writing About Sport: Ever fancied having a crack at writing about sport, but not sure where to start? Casual fan/participant rather than an ‘expert’ and not sure how to translate basic knowledge into insights and opinions? Dave Simpson, author of The Last Champions, shows you how to produce well-structured, thought-provoking pieces about any sport. Book in advance. Rombalds Hotel, 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Tickets £12 and £10.

What It Is And How To Find One: A practical masterclass with leading crime writer, Jake Arnott, exploring ways into ‘story’ – the most essential element in fiction, but one derided by E.M. Forster as a ‘low atavistic form’. Book in advance. The Manor House, 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Tickets £15 and £10.

The Purple Shroud: Stella Duffy (Stonewall Writer of the Year 2010) lifts the lid on her compelling novel about the extraordinary Empress Theodora: a fascinating exploration of the pleasures and burdens of power. At Ilkley Playhouse, from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Tickets £4 and £3.

Nutcracker – Ballet Workshops: Follow Northern Ballet’s dance artist into the exciting story of the Nutcracker. All Saints’ School, 2.30pm to 3.30pm and 3.45pm to 4.45pm. Tickets £5. Age 5 to 7 and 8 to12 respectively.

Prisoner of Paradise: Acclaimed UK-based writers Romesh Gunesekera and Roshi Fernando, with their roots in Sri Lanka, share the themes which infuse their work, from the unexpected connections people make, fine lines of politics, tradition and community to the pull of ‘home’. St Margaret’s Hall, 3pm to 4pm. Tickets £4 and £3.

Little Princess Doody: Should she let the rhinoceros out? Fun ethical dilemmas for children. A free fringe event. All Saints’ School, 3.45pm to 4.45pm. For ages 5–9.

Books v Kindles – The Debate: Love them or loathe them, do Kindles open new possibilities or spell the end of the book? In this open debate chaired by Andrew Wilson (pictured), poet Andrew McMillan (against) argues the case with Alysoun Owen, editor of the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook, and author and technology fan, Colin Grant. Ilkley Playhouse, 4pm to 5pm. Tickets £4 and £3.

Bringing the Story to e-book: The Medium, by Andrew Wilson, is available in the new medium of the e-book, but has all the traditional virtues of great storytelling. Steve Dearden reads from a new, mesmerising e-book collection of short stories, Single Skin. A former director of ILF, Dearden’s work includes Interland, a collaboration with Finnish writers. Ilkley Playhouse, 5pm to 5.30pm. Tickets £2.

House of Rumour: Best-selling author of The Long Firm, Jake Arnott, introduces his highly praised new novel, House of Rumour. A thrilling, mind-bending journey into 20th century history and up into the galaxy. Ilkley Playhouse, 5pm to 6pm. Tickets £5 and £4.

The Last Champions: Guardian journalist Dave Simpson discusses his revelatory exploration of Leeds United and the glory years of the 1990s. After 1992, he argues, football changed beyond all recognition as the Premier League saw sky-rocketing wages and billionaire owners and the dictates of television took the game away from the fans. At St Margaret’s Hall, 5pm to 6pm. Tickets £5 and £4.

The Science Delusion: Scientist Rupert Sheldrake refuses to bow to the rules (witness his controversial study Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home). A Cambridge and Harvard biologist, he’s a TV and radio regular, writing for the Guardian, Sunday Telegraph, Daily Mirror and New Scientist. He challenges the view that everything is mechanical, arguing for a more mysterious universe, able to interact with the mind in unimagined ways. St Margaret’s Hall, 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £5 and £4.

Benjamin Zephaniah: One of England’s best-known and best-loved poets makes a welcome return to Ilkley. A master of oral and performance art, Zephaniah has been heard in readings from Palestine to Argentina. He is Professor of Creative Writing at Brunel University, London. King’s Hall, 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £12 and £10.

Monday, October 1

The Harewood Library: A unique opportunity to enjoy a private visit to the imposing library at Harewood House. The morning begins with coffee, followed by a talk from Harewood’s specialist librarians about the rare books, first editions and important inscriptions found in the collection and ends with a chance to ask questions and view some of the volumes more closely. Tickets £15, includes coffee, biscuits and entrance. Harewood House, 10.15am to noon.

Young Writers Group: A free session for young people who love writing and to see if they would like to join the weekly group. No experience needed. Free with juice and biscuits. Christchurch on The Grove, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Age 12–17.

Bold as Brass: Known for her unflinching role on Dragon’s Den and her steely determination as a business woman who has overcome all the odds, Hilary Devey talks about her extraordinary life with candour, bravery, warmth and humour. King’s Hall, 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £12 and £10.

Dombey and Son – Guided Reading Group: Dr Richard Salmon, from the School of English at the University of Leeds, offers an expert guide to Dickens’ complex masterpiece, Dombey and Son. Details of key chapters to study will be posted on the literature festival website for all four sessions. The Manor House, 6pm to 7pm on Monday, October 1, Monday, October 8, Wednesday, October 10, and Monday, October 15. Tickets £15 and £10 and include all four sessions.

Cricket and Sequins: Once the Yorkshire dressing room was the exclusive preserve of ‘men’s men’ like Fred Trueman and Brian Close. Then along came Darren Gough and Strictly. Critic, novelist, sports and travel writer, the Daily Telegraph’s Max Davidson explores changing perceptions of manliness, via some iconic Yorkshire cricketers, in this witty social history. Ilkley Playhouse, 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £5 and £4.

Red Laal: Bradford-based crime writer MY Alam, author of Annie Potts is Dead and Kilo, is back. Kilo has fallen down the criminal ladder, reduced to dealing small time. Then along comes Red Laal with other ideas. Alam reflects on his writing’s connection to his home city and his new tale of survival, honour and family values. Ilkley Playhouse, 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £4 and £3.

Dark Tales from the Dales: Eerie tales from Vickie Orton, inspired by local legends. A free fringe event. Ilkley Playhouse, 9pm to 9.45pm.

The New Black Magic: How fashion weaves its dreams and casts its spells. A free fringe event. Ilkley Playhouse, 9pm to 9.45pm.

Tuesday, October 2

Brazil: Best-selling author, broadcaster, award-winning performer and former Monty Python member, Michael Palin comes to Ilkley to talk about Brazil. Half a continent in size, it’s one of the four new global superpowers, with vast natural resources, burgeoning industries, modern cities and unexpected wilderness: a potent mix of races, religions and cultures. King’s Hall, 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Tickets £15 and £12.

Darren Shan: Meet the Master of Horror as he reveals his brand new series Zom-B. Featuring a grisly zombie apocalypse with classic Shan action, a fiendishly twisting plot and hard-hitting storyline, this is a book where a high body count is guaranteed. King’s Hall, 7pm to 8pm. Tickets £6. Age 13 plus.

You Should’ve Seen Us: Celebrated poet Ian McMillan launches his brand new Smith/Doorstop pamphlet, Variations on a theme of Uncle Charlie. McMillan then introduces You Should’ve Seen Us, a striking film-poem by Paul Mills, which uses archive footage to bring the Yorkshire of yesteryear to vivid life. All Saints’ Church, 7.30pm to 9.30pm with an interval. Tickets £7 and £5.

Ocean of Life: Distinguished Professor of Marine Conservation at the University of York, Callum Roberts, explores the remarkable story of humanity’s relationship with the sea, from the first seafood dinner 140,000 years ago. He argues for a new deal for the world’s oceans and explains why, to survive on land, we need to save the seas. Ilkley Playhouse, 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £5 and £4.

Dark Winter, Cold Season: Two Yorkshire-based crime writers explore the impact of the region’s landscape on their work. David Mark walked the streets of Hull during his years as a crime reporter and discusses the effect of the cityscape and grim, urban environment on his gritty debut novel, Dark Winter. Alison Littlewood’s A Cold Season was a Richard and Judy pick for 2012. Written during a winter of commuting across the Pennines, she reveals how the landscape influenced her sinister tale of isolation and loss. At Ilkley Playhouse, 7.45pm to 8.45pm. Tickets £4 and £3.

The Humber Beat: Two Humberside crime authors look at a region on the cusp of change. A free fringe event. At Ilkley Playhouse, 9pm to 10pm.

The Boy who Loved Simone Simon: Strange tales read by actor-author Stephen Mosley. A free fringe event. At Ilkley Playhouse, 9pm to 9.30pm

Wednesday, October 3

Vintage Afternoon Tea: Wear a favourite frock or dashing jacket to listen to the sounds of a string quartet and enjoy a delicious Yorkshire afternoon tea in The Wheatley’s Garden Room. Elaine Lemm, former chef, respected food writer and author, will talk about the history of tea and other fascinating facts from her The Great Book of Tea. The Wheatley, 3.30pm to 5pm. Tickets £16 includes afternoon tea.

SI Leeds Literary Prize 2012: Join Bonnie Greer and Margaret Busby and six shortlisted writers, for the announcement of the winner of this new award for unpublished fiction by black and Asian women. Prize Patron Bonnie, pictured, playwright, author and critic, and chairwoman of the judges, and publisher Margaret discuss the need for the competition and the exciting future for writing by black and Asian women. Busby will then introduce readings from three of the shortlisted authors before announcing the winner, who will take home a cheque for £2,000. Ilkley Playhouse, 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Tickets £5 and £4.

The Psychopath Test: Writer and documentary film-maker, Jon Ronson, invites all to his world of weird happenings. Ronson’s The Men Who Stare At Goats (which became a major film) and Them: Adventures With Extremists were international bestsellers. He shares the stories behind his latest book, The Psychopath Test: A Journey into the Madness Industry. Craiglands Hotel, 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £6 and £4.

Daughter of Bluebird: Following a delicious Bettys’ two-course Yorkshire supper, sit back as Gina Campbell, daughter of the legendary speed record holder, Donald Campbell, talks about living with the Bluebird legacy. A women’s water speed record holder in her own right, Gina was just a child when her father was killed while attempting to break the water speed record at Lake Coniston in 1967. She has been a key mover in the project to restore Bluebird K7. Bettys Café Tea Rooms, 7.30pm to 10pm. Tickets £30, includes a two-course set meal, followed by tea or coffee. Tickets only from Bettys Café Tea Rooms Ilkley on (01943) 608029.