Wrexham Carnival of Words 2021 – Review
Wrexham Carnival of Words is a non-profit organisation that provides a week-long festival for the written and spoken word. It was online this year and ran from 17th to 24th April 2021.
Seven Years!
This year was the festival’s seventh. There was the usual range of literary-related events and this time, it was all available on their own YouTube channel!
Waterstones have all the participating authors’ books on display from early April so you can always read the featured books beforehand.
The format is quite simple. Every day, there are workshops with a selected author talking about their background and latest novels. There are also quizzes, literary history sessions and a special event celebrating the Welsh and English language in Wrexham called “Vica Voce”. There are also a series of writers’ workshops in which selected authors take you through the various aspects of the life a writer leads. You can learn about anything from how to get a book published to dealing with writers’ block. There’s even an associated walk around Moss Valley with stops for readings from local storytellers!
Highlights From 2021
Julia Forster
After her parents’ divorce, Harper Richardson’s (age 12) mum won custody of her, the Mini, and 500 tins of baked beans! Julia Forster, the award-winning author, talked about What A Way to Go, a warm, wise and witty tale of one girl tackling the business of growing up while those around her try not to fall apart.
Aled Lewis Evans
Aled is a prolific author and poet, broadcaster, former primary and secondary teacher and Welsh for Adults tutor. He was born in Machynlleth and now lives in Wrexham. He is the minister at Capel y Groes Ebeneser and Capel St John Street, Chester. Aled read excerpts from Tre Terfyn, a song of love and celebration to the poet’s home region.
Clare Mackintosh
Clare (featured in the main image) is the author of I Let You Go and Let Me Lie. All her books have been Sunday Times bestsellers and have sold more than two million copies worldwide. Her books have been published in more than 40 countries. Clare talked about her latest novel, the deeply moving and life-affirming After the End, as well as her other hugely successful books, before taking questions from the virtual audience.
Quote from Instagram: “What a fantastic session with today talking about her books #AftertheEnd and coming soon: #Hostage. The carnival has a soft spot for Clare who was with us in 2016 and lives in North Wales. Thank you again for joining us.”
Luke Gallagher
During his eight years of gigging and recording, Luke has drawn inspiration from the people he meets and the stories he hears. For one extraordinary evening, we found out first-hand about the stories behind his songs – and heard them from a whole new perspective!
Nell Grey (Carys Davies)
Glyn Ceiriog’s own romantic thriller writer, Nell Grey, talked about the background to her widely acclaimed debut novel, Trust Me, and its sequel, Find Me. Each of them an addictive exploration of love and betrayal.
We hope you enjoyed Wrexham Carnival of Words 2021. For other book-related articles, please click here.
