Peckham Poetry, Night Walking And The Future Of Print Magazines

By Kyra Hanson Last edited 100 months ago
Peckham Poetry, Night Walking And The Future Of Print Magazines
Photo courtesy of Review Bookshop

Whether you enjoy wandering in the seclusion of overgrown Nunhead Cemetery, or among the plastic Tupperware and fruit n’ veg of Khan’s Bargain shop on Rye Lane, it's exactly these “contrasting pockets of atmosphere” that author Alice Stevenson explores on her tour of the area specially curated for Peckham Literary Festival.

Stevenson's eye for unusual architectural details can be seen in her intricate illustrations of London boroughs for her book Ways to Walk in London (one of our recommended London reads).

The 45 minute tour kicks off with an extract from the book and ends with an informal chat about night walking, plus a glass of wine in the cosy surroundings of Review Bookshop — which celebrates its tenth birthday this year.

Night walking in the city. Illustration by Alice Stevenson

This year's organiser Katia Wengraf said: "we really wanted to use the Lit Fest to promote how many amazing local writers there are, pretty much everyone performing is either from or lives in the area."

Evie Wyld, author, and co-owner of Review won the Miles Franklin award (Australia's equivalent of The Man Booker) and was named as one of Granta’s Best Young British Novelists in 2013. You'll be able to hear a flavour of her literary prowess on the opening night.

On Thursday evening Peckham's poetic seams will be bursting with the quality line up that The Morning Star’s Jody Porter has put together.

Host Niall O’Sullivan (of Poetry Unplugged fame) will introduce a range of talented poets including Amy Key, Alex Bell, AK Blakemore and Poetry Slam 2015 winner Caleb Oluwafemi.

Oluwafemi's winning performance at Roundhouse was dedicated to Peckham. Children of the 'Narm (see video below) tells the stories of the area’s black residents.

Don’t forget to pick up your FREE limited edition mini-book created by Tangerine Press (also worth checking out if you're in need of bespoke book binding services) featuring work from all the poets involved.

The Friday night finale features Steven Watson, founder of Stack Magazines (a service delivering high quality, indie mags to your doorstop) who will be in discussion with Ruth Jamieson, author of Print is Dead about the future of print magazines, which, if Stack is anything to go by, have life in them yet.

Peckham Literary Festival takes place 10-13 November at Review Bookshop, 131 Bellenden Road. All events are free but book buying is encouraged. Tickets can be booked via the website.

Last Updated 08 November 2015