Forthcoming BBC events for book-lovers
Radio
4 Bookclub 20th Anniversary
The early summer sees the 20th anniversary of
Radio 4’s Bookclub, the original BBC Bookclub, presented by James Naughtie on
the first Sunday and following Thursday of every month. Jim has presented every one of over 200
episodes, interviewing, along with a select group of readers, a vast range of
novelists, the occasional poet, children’s writer and non-fiction author. Every single programme is available to
download and keep via: www.bbc.co.uk/bookclub
It’s free and a
great opportunity to meet a writer at close quarters and hear them dissect a favourite
work. There’s wine too! Details of forthcoming recordings are always
on the website along with how to get in touch.
We are always keen to have new listeners along though places are
limited.
Highlights this year:
#LovetoRead is celebrating book clubs this year and Radio
4 Bookclub will be at the heart of this.
From our May programme through to July we will be
celebrating with some special authors – and hopefully some special readers in
the audience.
As part of #LovetoRead on R4Extra and BBC Arts
online, we highlight Bookclub’s magnificent roll call of writers with five
authors from our list introducing their favourite programme from the archive.
And we’ll have a specially commissioned animation to share pointing
to the many joys of the archive.
And in early November we hope to have a truly global
Bookclub to celebrate the annual #LovetoRead weekend, when Jim will come
together with Harriet Gilbert and our World Book Club audience from World
Service – of upwards of 20 million listeners – in a unique joint Bookclub. Details to be announced.
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The BBC Short Story Awards – bigger
than ever with new partners Cambridge University and First Story.
The
BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University. This year’s judges are TV’s Mel Giedroyc, multi
award- winning writers Ben Markovits, K J Orr, Sarah Howe and the Books Editor
Di Speirs. The #bbcnssa is currently
open for entries from published writers who are British Nationals or UK
residents. Full details on how to enter
and eligibility are here and the closing date March 12th.
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The Student Critics Award with Cambridge University
and First Story, to foster the nation’s next generation of critical
readers. Over 20 schools will
participate directly in reading the NSSA anthology and learning some key
critical tools. Schools can apply in April
via the website. And in September there
will be a huge set of online resources available for schools, libraries, young
readers groups, online. Full details of
how to apply to take part or simply use the resources soon.