Nationally acclaimed writers announced for Devon library events

Acclaimed authors Arifa Akbar and Michael Malay will visit libraries in Devon and Torbay as part of the Words Alive in Libraries tour, bringing author talks and workshops exploring themes of life writing, wellbeing and nature.

The tour is a partnership between Literature Works and the South Western Regional Library Service, designed to bring writers directly into local libraries and connect communities with contemporary literature.

Two events will take place in Libraries Unlimited venues across the region.

Author and Guardian chief theatre critic Arifa Akbar will appear at Paignton Library on Thursday, March 19. Her latest book, Wolf Moon: A Woman’s Journey into the Night, blends memoir and reportage to explore women’s relationships with night and darkness.

The book examines the hidden labour of female night-shift workers, including carers, and reflects on the unseen experiences of women after dark, exploring how cultural and environmental forces shape women’s lives at night.

Michael Malay, author of Late Light, will visit Barnstaple Library on Thursday, May 7. His book traces his journey from Indonesia and Australia to England, offering a fresh perspective on the British countryside, its landscapes and wildlife.

Focusing on four often-overlooked animals – eels, moths, mussels and crickets – the work examines how political, economic and cultural events have shaped Britain’s landscapes, while connecting nature with wider histories and Malay’s own experiences of migration and belonging.

Helen Chaloner, CEO of Literature Works, said: “The new tour will bring diverse writing talent to the doorstep of local libraries across the region: public libraries, college libraries and university libraries. Audience feedback from the 2023 tour was fantastic, and we’re excited to reach even more communities that otherwise might not get the chance to meet and work with writers like these.”

Alex Kittow, Chief Executive Officer at Libraries Unlimited, added: “It’s so exciting to have such talented authors visit our libraries. Libraries are venues for creativity, discussion, and engagement. From the arts to the environment, the library is a space open to everyone, and a space to learn and discover stories, both fictional and factual. What an incredible opportunity this is to hear from these two authors.”

Words Alive in Libraries is funded by an Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant.