We are aiming to deliver Quay Words 2021 as a blended programme, live streaming events and having small, socially distanced groups and audiences at Exeter Custom House.

We have an exciting programme of events and opportunities in 2021, highlights include our first author event of the year on Wednesday 10th February with Chris White, spoken word poet, performer and former Bard of Exeter. For February half term, we have two zine-making days for young writers, with zine-maker Laura Moseley.

We will be celebrating World Book Week on Saturday 6th March with a family event with children’s author Tom McLaughlin who will be telling us about his books and doing a live illustration demonstration. Our spring season will be all about Exploration and we’ll be featuring some great travel writers and Elizabeth-Jane Burnett will launch her next poetry collection, Of Sea on 12th May.

In the summer we’ll be bringing storytelling and performance outside to the Quayside, the theme of the season is Nature and we have some evocative readings from poets John Wedgwood-Clarke and Richard Skelton. Our autumn season is all about Heritage and we’re excited to welcome Nikesh Shukla who will be talking about personal heritage and identity in his latest book Brown Baby and running a masterclass on memoir writing on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th November. And much, much more!

These events will take place according to Government Covid-19 guidance at the time. Keep an eye on our website for more workshops and events that will be announced as they become available.