Inaugral book festival helps support literacy in the City

The inaugural Stoke Book Festival begins today, bringing together nationally recognised writers, local authors, workshops, performances and family activities at venues across the city.

Data has shown that only 70% of Stoke-on-Trent children meet the expected level of reading by the end of Year 6, compared with 75% nationally, making the city the lowest ranked across the whole of the West Midlands.Stoke-on-Trent crime writer Mel Sherratt, who has sold more than two million books, will discuss her career and recently published 26th novel. Writer and journalist Dave Proudlove will launch his latest book, Street Football: The Real Grassroots of the Beautiful Game, exclusively at the festival.

The programme also includes a concert by the City of Stoke-on-Trent Symphony Orchestra, creative workshops, events across the city’s libraries and a networking and publishing panel for North Staffordshire writers.

The festival is being presented by Stoke Minster in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council Libraries, Visit Stoke, YMCA North Staffordshire and the National Literacy Trust.