The WORD Festival got a boost this week after its Artistic Director came to the rescue of one of this year’s events.
Alan Spence, the University of Aberdeen's Professor in Creative Writing, has become the latest celebrated author to join the WORD line up for 2008.
He answered an S.O.S from the WORD team after Gwyneth Lewis, the Welsh National Poet, had to pull out of her planned appearance alongside Edinburgh Poet Laureate Valerie Gillies on Saturday, May 10 at King's College.
WORD Festival Manager Karen Weiniger said: "While we were all naturally disappointed that Gwyneth had to cancel her appearance, we're very fortunate in being able to call upon such a fantastic replacement in Alan, who has kindly agreed to read from a selection of new and unpublished work. He really is our WORD super-sub!"
Alan Spence is an award-winning novelist, poet, playwright, and short story writer. His most recent novel, The Pure Land, was a huge success and is being translated into 20 languages.
At his event with Valerie Gillies, he will read a selection of brand new verse, some of it in the same mode as Glasgow Zen, his ever-popular collection of poems.
Added Alan: "WORD is always a wonderful weekend, and so when the opportunity to step into Gwyneth's shoes arose it was an easy decision to make. The excitement and anticipation around the festival is really starting to build now and everyone involved here can't wait for next week when things kick off with the Schools Festival (May 6-8) before the main WORD programme gets underway on Friday. It's a great feeling to have another WORD Festival very nearly upon us for another year."
WORD 08 will take place from May 9-11, 2008 in the grounds of the University of Aberdeen and at some of the major arts venues throughout The Granite City.
An expected 11,000 visitors will be treated to a packed weekend of readings, music, art exhibitions, and film screenings from around 50 authors, poets and artists.
Tickets are still available for a number of events and can be booked by contacting Aberdeen Box Office on 01224 641 122 or online at www.abdn.ac.uk/word/tickets