Off the Shelf Festival

Now in its 20th year, the Off the Shelf Festival of Writing and Reading is an annual event offering excellent quality, exciting, wide ranging and innovative programming and attracting some of the most prestigious names in literature to Sheffield. Off the Shelf is one of the UK's biggest and most significant festivals of writing and reading, combining a programme of high profile authors, poets, journalists and broadcasters with community and outreach provision, support for emerging writers, workshops, exhibitions, storytelling, talks, walks and a programme of events for children and young people.

The Off the Shelf Festival of Writing and Reading takes place in Sheffield, England during October each year. It is organised by the Culture Section of Sheffield City Council with support from Arts Council England and several commercial companies. The Festival offers a wide range of events for all ages and has seen audience growth each year. Previous Festivals have included events with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Stephen Fry, Dr David Starkey, Doris Lessing, Michael Morpurgo, Andrew Motion, Jamie Oliver, Ian Rankin, Will Self, Carol Ann Duffy, Nick Hornby, Michael Rosen, Michael Frayn, Lionel Shriver, Rose Tremain and Claire Tomalin, Simon Armitage, Lemn Sissay, David Lodge, John Pilger and Benjamin Zephaniah to name just a few.

The 2011 Festival will take place between 8 - 29 October and the programme will appear on the website from September 2011.

The Off the Shelf website has the latest Booking, News and Event information. Join the e-list from the website to receive regular news on the programming of the Festival.Off The Shelf Follow the Festival on Twitter (otsfestiva) and Facebook (Off the Shelf Festival).