About

A new literary festival for Medway

Medway-based literary organisation Wordsmithery was commissioned by Medway Council to create an ambitious new 10-day literary festival for Medway in June 2023.

Celebrating the history and future of literature, poetry, spoken word in its many forms in Medway and beyond for 2023; Medway River Lit will showcase over 70 writers and performers in genres from spoken word and poetry, to crime, drama, playwriting, biography, fiction, storytelling, psychogeography, fantasy literature, and more!

There are also 35 hours of pre-engagement Workshops that people of all ages can join in with. There will be three text and art exhibitions (one an open call). We have an Associate Programme linking us up with community and charity organisations across Medway, with linked events and/or projects before the festival (and counting!). We have had several additional 'Bookends Events' in the run-up to the festival and after the festival in Medway Libraries and other venues.

Medway River Lit will have something for readers and writers alike, and with our workshops and panels, maybe something to spark the writers of the future!

Medway River Lit and Wordsmithery thank all those organizations and individuals who have assisted in the development and production of the festival - some of whom are listed below, but many others who aren't.

'River of words' image by Darrell Hawkins.

Partners and Associates

Explore and Draw

Established in 2017 Explore & Draw offers art classes and creative workshops in and around Kent.

Fun With Words

Workshops run by Sam Rapp, the Dyslexic Poet

Great Kentspectations Steampunk Group

Crustulum et Studium! (Cake and Enthusiasm! - our motto.) Great Kentspectations is the steampunk group for Kent.

House of Stars

A platform, a safe hub for young people and creatives to work together, express themselves freely and connect supporting each other through art and music.

Kent Illustration Network

KIN are a group of Kent based illustrators who work on exhibitions and projects together.

Loop Dance

Loop Dance creates contemporary repertory work for touring, often working with internationally renowned guest choreographers.
Loop also has an extensive dance education programme.

MedwayArtBox

Rochester's smallest art gallery!

Medway Pride Radio

A community radio station building support for community voluntary organisations. Medway Pride, Radio for the Rainbow Community & Beyond.

Murderous Medway

Crime writing festival coming to Medway in October!

Rainham Poetry Festival

A brand new poetry festival based in Rainham, 28 and 29 April 2023.

The BeYou Project

The BeYou Project provides LGBTQ+ young people with safe spaces, advice and support. It is part of the charity Porchlight.

www.thebeyouproject.co.uk

Unravel and Unwind CIC

Classes and shop

Eastgate House

Once the family home of Sir Peter Buck, a senior officer at the Royal Tudor Dockyard, the house has also been a Victorian boarding school, a hostel, a museum and an inspiration to the great author Charles Dickens.

Fort Amherst, Medway

Fort Amherst is one of Medway's historic forts and Britain's biggest Napoleonic Fortress.

Guildhall Museum Rochester

The museum's collections tell the story of Medway from its Roman origins to the present day.

Medway Adult Education

Joining a course with Medway Adult Education is easy.

Medway Libraries

Libraries throughout Medway.

Mid Kent College

A local College for Medway and Maidstone.

Nucleus Arts

Stimulating social inclusion, health and well-being.

Rochester Cathedral

A place of Christian worship since AD604.

Royal Engineers Museum

Visit Kent’s largest military museum to discover the story of the Royal Engineers and how they have helped the British Army live, move and fight for over 300 years.

Play on words

Play On Words Theatre Company are a local Medway company.

GlassBox Theatre

Theatre at MidKent College.

Icon Theatre

A Medway-based theatre company.

Ideas Test

Working with communities in Swale & Medway to live more creative lives.

*Medway River Lit and the funder are not responsible for the content of external websites, nor do we necessarily agree with their views, or the views of individual contributors.