Top names from Liverpool and the UK will be appearing at events in South Liverpool this September as part of the annual literary festival – the Smithdown Litfest.
Now in its sixth year, The Smithdown Litfest hosts author talks in community venues along the Smithdown Road corridor ‒ from Toxteth to Allerton. The authors chat about their writing lives and books, answer questions from the audience, and sign copies of their books.
This year’s Litfest takes place from Thursday 22nd to Wednesday 28th September 2022 with these special guests:
GEORGE SEPHTON: LEGENDARY LFC STADIUM ANNOUNCER on being the “Voice for Anfield” for half a century;
KEN PYE: RESPECTED LOCAL HISTORIAN exploring historical Merseyside Murders and Misdemeanours;
C L TAYLOR: PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER AUTHOR, Sunday Times bestseller and Richard & Judy pick talking thrillers and crime;
PADDY SHENNAN: FORMER ECHO FEATURE WRITER sharing stories about the fascinating famous people he’s met and interviewed from Liverpool and around the country;
BROOKSIDE CELEBRATION: celebrating Brookie’s 40th anniversary with a Corkhill family cast reunion and more;
ANYIKA ONUORA: LIVERPOOL’S OWN OLYMPIC MEDALIST revealing the ups and downs of her glittering career.
Children’s authors Jude Lennon and Susan Brownrigg will be appearing at special events at two local schools, and there will also be a free Poets for Peace poetry event in Greenbank Park.
Litfest patron and award-winning crime fiction author Margaret Murphy, who was born just off Smithdown Road says: “The Smithdown LitFest is for those who are passionate about books and those who are just starting on their journey as readers, it is for proud locals, and for visitors exploring our special corner of south Liverpool. So get inspired, have fun, bring your friends.”
Litfest founder and director Ian Skillicorn, a local publisher whose family connections to the Smithdown Road area go back to the 1800s says: “The Smithdown Litfest has something for everyone and it’s all on your doorstep! We look forward to seeing you there.”
The Smithdown Litfest raises funds for Al-Sabeen Children’s Hospital in Sana’a, Yemen to support health workers at the hospital to do their work, purchase vital lifesaving medicines, PPE, basic medical equipment and to pay for tests and investigations for families that cannot afford treatment for their child. The hospital treats children affected by war, severe and acute malnutrition, cholera, diphtheria, malaria, dengue and COVID-19.