26 October - 5 November 2006
London and the south-east
24-29 Oct: Poetry International Britain's largest poetry festival gathers 40 international poets for a series of readings, workshops and discussions, featuring the likes of Paul Muldoon, Kwame Dawes and new work created by the festival's resident poet Lemn Sissay. Various South Bank Centre venues.
30 Oct: The Atrocity of War Speakers including Joanna Bourke, author of An Intimate History of Killing, and Moazzam Begg, former Guantanamo Bay detainee and author of Enemy Combatant, debate the nature of warfare and atrocity in the era of collateral damage, media saturation and humanitarian intervention. ICA, 7pm.
East and Midlands
27 Oct-5 Nov: Countrybookshop Peak festival The Great Outdoors is the a Derbyshire literary festival with events featuring Ben Fogle and Everest climbers Jo and Rob Gambi, a literary dinner at Chatsworth House, and speakers including MPs David Blunkett and George Galloway. Various venues.
3-5 Nov: Aldeburgh International Poetry festival A record-breaking 44 events this year include readings, exhibitions, masterclasses and children's prizes, featuring a host of international poets including Vicki Feaver, Choman Hardi and writer-in-residence Tim Turnbull. Various venues.
North
27 Oct: Don Paterson Live reading by prize-winning Scottish poet and musician Don Paterson, whose translation of Rilke's Sonnets to Orpheus will be published in October. Alington House, Durham, 7.30pm.
West and Wales
27 Oct-9 Nov: Dylan Thomas festival, Swansea An exhibition on Samuel Beckett, a celebration of the centenary of Thomas's friend Vernon Watkins and the announcement of the first Dylan Thomas prize for writers under 30 are among the attractions at the annual celebration of Swansea's favourite son. Various venues.
Ireland
21 Oct-4 Nov: Belfast festival A host of live events and talks featuring authors Sue Townsend, Jeanette Winterson, Michael Longley and Sebastian Barry. Queens College.
Scotland
30 Oct: Ian Rankin The crime writer discusses his new novel, The Naming of the Dead, the latest outing for the redoubtable Edinburgh detective John Rebus. Charles Wilson Building, University of Glasgow, 7.30pm.
Got a books event you'd like to see listed here? Please send press releases to: literary-listings@hotmail.co.uk
