Dear Wiganer,
Let me start with an apology, it’s been nearly a year with no updates. I’m sorry.
My name is Antony Simpson and I am an Author from Wigan.
In late 2024, I attended a Christmas Book Fair organised and delivered by the wonderful Transformation Team within the Libraries Department of Wigan Council.
The Christmas Book Fair was held a Wigan Library on a Saturday and was well attended by families with young children. There were around 30-50 Wigan Authors at this event, each with a table to promote and sell their books. Their books covered a wide spectrum of genres, some written for children and some written for adults.
For the authors that write for adults, most of the adults at the Christmas Book Fair had young children and therefore little time to read for pleasure, enjoyment or learning.
I suggested that an event for adult readers and authors of books for adults, with the aim: To connect local #writers and #readers together. Before the Christmas Book Fair, I hadn’t realised how many incredibly talented Authors Wigan had. I suggested calling the event Wigan Literature Festival and that if there was interest, it could be repeated on an annual basis.
But would anyone be interested? I imagined that if there was interest, it could grow and develop with author readings, Q&A panels, poetry performances, etc.
At the time, there hadn’t been any sort of literature festival in Wigan for over a decade. I was struggling to convince organisers that there would be interest. So I set up the Facebook page, this website and a newsletter. I was facing the possibility that I might have to organise the event on my own, with little support and no money.
Then the Transformation Team within the Libraries Department of Wigan Council decided to host Book Fest in Leigh Library in June 2025. It was a 2 hour event on a Thursday evening. It was a huge success and they have decided to host it again this year:
Book Fest 2026 at Leigh Library
- Date: Thursday 11th June 2026.
- Time: 6:30PM-8:30PM.
- Location: Leigh Library.
- Event Details: Over 30 Wigan authors promoting and selling their books.
- Booking Link: Event Bright.
The Future of Wigan Literature Festival
The purpose behind Wigan Literature Festival was: To connect local #writers and #readers together. Although I am highly relieved that I didn’t have to organise an event, I still see a role for the Facebook page, this website and newsletter in helping the readers and writers of Wigan to connect with one another.
If you are a Wigan Writer and are not on this page, please get in touch so I can add you. Please also consider participating in an Author Interview.
Although I set up the Facebook page, this website and newsletter, it doesn’t really belong to me but is for the readers and writers of Wigan. I welcome suggestions and ideas about and for the future of the Wigan Literature Festival community.
Best Wishes,
Antony