Here’s booking at you, kid

Having turned pages on Leeside for two decades now, a very special literary festival is beginning its 21st chapter this week.

Cork World Book Fest is back for its twenty-first anniversary and runs from now until this Sunday at various venues across the city.

The festival will bring close to 100 Irish and international writers to Cork for an extravaganza of books and writing with over 40 free events planned over the coming days.

Patricia Looney, Senior Executive Librarian in Cork City Libraries, said: “Every April, we look forward to bringing Irish and international writers to Cork. We’re delighted to facilitate events free of charge or at a nominal fee, ensuring they are accessible to everyone.”

Acclaimed literary coach Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin along with literary agents Simon Trewin and Nicky Lovick will facilitate the popular First Page Pitch event, where ten writers get the opportunity to read the first page of their book to the room and get feedback. They will also be panellists for Meet the Agents, where they share their knowledge and advice. O’Loughlin (under her Sam Blake pseudonym) will also chat with crime writer Amy Jordan about her experience of becoming a published author.

Events for this year’s festival will take place in the Cork City Library, Triskel Arts Centre, Cork Public Museum, the River Lee Hotel, Plugd Records and Café and more. The Book Market will be back on Grand Parade on this Saturday.

Cork World Book Fest was created in 2005 by former city librarian Liam Ronayne and Ann Luttrell, former literature officer at Triskel Arts Centre who decided to mark UNESCO World Book Day, 23 April, with Cork’s first ever World Book Day.

World Book Day falls every year on 23 April, the date on which both Cervantes and Shakespeare died.