WORD UP NORTH
Raising UP voices, stories and writers in the north
Word Up North is a literature development organisation that promotes reading and creative writing in the north of England. We evolved from the roots of the Ilkley Literature Festival, first established in 1973, and our mission – then as now – is to raise up, voices, stories and writers in the north.
We are proud to be a registered charity and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. We are also supported by Bradford Metropolitan District Council.
From our base in West Yorkshire we deliver a year-round programme of work across four activity strands; New Writing & Talent Development, Children & Young People, Creative Communities and Live & Online Literature Events. Our project partners include the BBC, Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, the University of Leeds and the National Trust.
We continue to produce the annual Ilkley Literature Festival, the longest-running book festival in the North of England.
