Off the Shelf Festival

Now in its 21st year, the Off the Shelf Festival of Words is an annual event offering excellent quality, exciting, wide ranging and innovative programming and attracting some of the most prestigious names in literature and media 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 Words takes place in Sheffield, England during October each year. It is organised by the Major Events 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. 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 2012 Festival will take place between 13 October - 3 November.

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).