Anguilla Lit Fest 2016

It is time for the Anguilla Lit Fest again and this year I am going to be a speaker!

Let’s rewind a little bit. Last year, I took a publishing class at the Anguilla Community College in May/June taught by Mrs. Stephanie Stokes Oliver. I truly enjoyed the class and loved interacting with other like-minded students who were interested in or had published books and poetry.

I was 7-8 months pregnant and about to go on maternity leave. The certificate ceremony above is after I had the baby! I had the grand thought that I would be able to find time to write a book in the next year. I declared in the class – ‘next year I will be presenting at the Anguilla Lit Fest!’

Now back to the present. I had a baby and I did not write a book ha ha – but I still plan to. In a perfect twist of fate, the Anguilla Lit Fest committee invited me to present as a blogger and vlogger for my work with My Anguilla Experience. Shout out to the hardworking committee for Lit Fest for this opportunity. I will join the other Pride of Anguilla writers and poets on Saturday May 21 at 8:45am.

There is an exciting lineup of headliners and events for the Anguilla Lit Fest this year. See below press release from the Anguilla Lit Fest committee which provides all the details you need to know about the Lit Fest. For more details visit the website for the Anguilla Lit Fest.  I hope all of you can make it to Paradise Cove 19th – 22nd May. There is a special rate of US100.00 for locals. I look forward to seeing you there. Do stop by and say hello.

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ANGUILLA LIT FEST PRESS RELEASE 18^TH April 2016

PAUL KEENS-DOUGLAS, THE CARIBBEAN’S MOST BELOVED STORYTELLER JOINS LIT FEST 2016 LINE-UP FOR SHOWCASE EVENT. SPECIAL PRICED RESIDENTS TICKETS AVAILABLE.  
Fans of Paul Keens-Douglas will be happy to hear that he has joined the line-up of international literary icons scheduled to appear at the 5th Anguilla Lit Fest: A Literary Jollification. The Festival takes place at Paradise Cove from 19^th to 22^nd May 2016, and pays homage to Anguilla’s literary heritage. Residents of Anguilla can benefit from significantly discounted tickets if they purchase tickets in advance.

Organisers of the festival are keen to point out that Lit Fest not only appeals to writers – but also lovers of the spoken word, avid readers and those looking to enjoy presentations from thought leaders. The format is an enticing mixture of keynote presentations, lively panel discussions, author workshops, book signings, and of course, “Jollification.” Breakfast and lunch are included in the ticket price and in the evenings delegates mingle at elegant cocktail parties and showcase events, including an “Evening of Caribbean Storytelling” with Paul Keens-Douglas on Saturday, the 21^st of May.

 This year’s headliners include:

Alafair Burke — New York Times best-selling author and professor

Colin Channer —Author, professor and co-founder of the Calabash International Literary Festival

Paul Keens-Douglas – The Caribbean’s most beloved raconteur and storyteller

Christina Baker Kline — New York Times best-selling author, lecturer and philanthropist

Valerie Wilson Wesley — World-renowned mystery author and former executive editor of Essence

Kate White — New York Times best-selling author and former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine

Other distinguished writers and publishing professionals include: Fabian Adekunle Badejo, Krista Bremer, Yona Deshommes, Alexis Gumbs, Johanna Ingalls, Naomi Jackson, Montague Kobbé, Patrick Oliver, John Searles, Dan Weiss, Sara Weiss and Cathrene Valente Youngquist.

Celebrating ‘home grown’ talent, the Pride of Anguilla writers and poets include: Patricia J Adams, Ivenia A Benjamin, Shellecia Brooks-Johnson, Timothy Hodge, Don Mitchell, Christopher Richardson, Trudy Nixon and Fiona Wilkinson. This year’s event will showcase winners of the 2016 Malliouhana Poetry Competition along with members of the Anguilla Under Ground Poets.

Importantly, the Lit Fest’s Champions of Literacy initiative allows for a cross-section of students from Anguilla’s Primary Schools to interact with the visiting authors and for students from the Secondary School to attend the presentation of the event headliner as specially invited guests. The programme also includes a special session for children and young writers on the afternoon of Saturday, May 21^st.

Residents of Anguilla can purchase two-day pass for the special price of US$100.00, which includes a welcome cocktail party, breakfast and lunch presentations on both days and special sessions with the authors along with fun-filled evening soirees. Or they can purchase one-day pass for $50, which exclude the evening events. Tickets for Paul Keens- Douglas showcase event are $25 for adults or $10 for children, if purchased in advance before May 12th.

Tickets are now on sale at the Anguilla Tourist Board, Anguilla Library and Paradise Cove.  There is also a dedicated website detailing the schedule of activities, list of participants, accommodation options and the ability to reserve tickets. For more information or to register for this year’s event, go to www.anguillalitfest.com. You may also engage with the #anguillalitfest community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Contact: Ms Trudy Nixon, Public Relations and Communications Team at [email protected]