As 2017 draws to a close, so 2018 looms ever larger. The literary and  poetry festival scene goes from strength to strength with established festivals becoming stronger, and new pretenders appearing all the time. What follows is a list of what I am aware of, and rate, in 2018, together with links. Some festivals have not confirmed their dates yet, typically those towards the end of the year, most have not only dates, but line-ups too. Please let me know of any glaring omissions  or errors:

2018 Poetry Festivals
This is a guide to Midlands poetry festivals in the form of Literary Festivals, Book Festivals, straight Poetry Festivals and Music Festivals with a Poetry Stage;

Wolverhampton Literary Festival  26th- 28th Jan

http://wolvesliteraturefestival.co.uk/

Birmingham Verve Poetry Festival@ Waterstones Feb 15th- 18th
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/verve-poetry-festival-2018-tickets-39044197245
Lichfield Literary Festival Mar 1st -4th

Lichfield Festival

Oxford FT Literary festival Mar 17th -25th
http://oxfordliteraryfestival.org/literature-events/201
Bath Independent Literature festival 11th – 27th May
http://bathfestivals.org.uk/literature/
Much Wenlock Poetry Festival April Dates TBC
http://www.wenlockpoetryfestival.org/

Sat 26th Apr Stratford upon Avon Literary Festival -April 22nd – 29th
http://www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk/
The Cheltenham Poetry Festival; April 18th – 30th
http://www.cheltenhampoetryfest.co.uk/

Chipping Campden Lit Festival May 8th – 13th
http://www.campdenlitfest.co.uk/contentok.php?id=88

Swindon Festival of Literature, May 7th -19th including youth and adult poetry slams
http://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/whats-on/swindon-festival-of-literature-2014-p509473
Nailsworth Festival inc Poetry Slam May 19th -27th

Home

Audlem Festival, May 24th – 28th
Cheshire including Poetry Slam on the opening night
http://www.audlemfestival.com/
Hay Festival May 24th -3rd June
http://www.hayfestival.com/portal/index.aspx?skinid=1&localesetting=en-GB
Leek Arts Festival April 25th -28th

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Worcester Literary Festival June
http://www.worcslitfest.com/
Leamington Spa, Peace Festival June Sat 16th/17th June
http://www.peacefestival.org.uk/
Ashbourne Festival June Fri 22nd June -8th July
http://www.ashbournefestival.org/

Ledbury Poetry Festival June 29th- 8th July
http://www.poetry-festival.co.uk

Lichfield Literary Festival July 4th -14th

Lichfield Festival

Buxton Festival July 6th -22nd

Home

Shambhala Music and Arts Festival Aug 23rd -26th
Northants – Poetry Tent

HOME

Bridgenorth Festival Aug 17th – 27th
http://www.bridgnorthmusicfest.com/index.php/arts.html

Wirksworth Arts Festival Sept 7th – 23rd
http://www.wirksworthfestival.co.uk
Stafford Arts Fest Sept
http://stafford-towncentre.co.uk/stafford-arts-festival.htm

Swindon Festival of Poetry Oct 4th -8th
http://swindonfestivalofpoetry.co.uk/
Warwick Words Oct 1st -7th
http://www.warwickwords.co.uk/

Birmingham Book Festival Oct TBA
http://www.birminghambookfestival.org/
Derwent Poetry Festival, Matlock Bath November TBC
http://www.artsderbyshire.org.uk/whats_on/details.asp?EventID=1522102
http://www.templarpoetry.co.uk/about.html#news-social-networking
Wellington Literary Festival October TBC
http://www.wellington-shropshire.gov.uk/literary-festival/
Leicester Literary Festival November TBC
http://www2.le.ac.uk/uol/institution/literary-leicester/