Forty international writers including Helon Habila, Amit Chaudhuri, Tobias Hill and Dubravka Ugresic, are heading for Norwich to mark the launch of New Writing Worlds 2. The second annual global literary think-tank will bring together writers from around the world for a series of public workshops, discussions and readings and a literary fete. The event which is organised by The New Writing Partnership and the University of East Anglia (UEA) runs from Wednesday June 15 until Saturday 18 June, 2006. Experiments of life Led by the UEA’s Professor of Literature, Jon Cook, the writers - who have come from as far away as Australia, Mexico, South Africa and India - will discuss the theme of experiment in literature.
 | | Steve Jones |
Literature has a long standing connection with experiment – in 1798 Wordsworth and Coleridge described the majority of the poems in lyrical ballads as 'experiments'. George Eliot also described her novels as 'experiments in life'. The Experiment Series is a unique two part event designed for talented emerging writers. The visiting writers will debate the nature of experiment in relation to linguistic innovation and historical significance and will address different aspects of what it means to experiment. "It is a unique gathering that allows writers from different parts of the world to explore whether there are common beliefs that inform the practice of writing, and what role this practice plays in today’s global culture," said Katri Skala, Programme Director for New Writing Worlds. "It is important to create conversations that might not happen elsewhere, to spark debate, encourage new friendships and unexpected alliances. And to give these writers a chance to showcase their work to a British audience," said Katri Skala. Workshops and discussions
 | | Voewood House |
The public can attend lectures and talks including Adventures In Thought: Literature And Science, by leading scientist, broadcaster and best-selling author, Steve Jones. "I will talk about some of the unexpected ties between certain literary figures and the world of science, and the extent to which nature or nurture determines what we are in fiction, and in fact," he said. There are also readings, workshops and discussions with the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts; and a literary fete at Voewood House, an arts and crafts country house, owned by the rare book dealer and publisher of Zembla magazine, Simon Finch. For further information on public events, workshops, readings and the literary fete contact New Writing Partnership on 01603 877177. | 
