Jayn Winslade – Festival Organiser

Jayn Winslade is a project leader of From the Page Workshops and the author of ‘Emily and Jen Dance for Deeron’, a fantasy adventure novel for aged 8+ years. She is also the ‘Face of Archives and Heritage’ for the new £193 million Library currently under construction. Jayn studied dance at the London School of Contemporary Dance, the Laban Centre, and completed her PGCE at University College Worcester. Prior to becoming an author, Jayn was course leader for Performing Arts (Creative Industries) at the University of Hertfordshire.

‘Emily and Jen Dance for Deeron’ fuses her passion for foklore, dance and music. The book was both inspired by, and is based around, the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, a tradition that has existed for over 800 years.
For further information visit her website: www.dancefordeeron.co.uk

Q & A With Jayn Winslade

If you were stuck on a desert island, what one book would you want with you and why?
If I were stuck on a desert island, the book I would most want would be ‘How To Survive When You’re Stuck On A Desert Island’.

What inspires you most about the Worcestershire Literary Festival?
The thing that inspires me most is the bringing together of people of all ages who share a love of literature. It is so important in this rapidly changing world.

Are you looking forward to volunteering to help with the WLF and why?
I am looking foward to helping and taking part in the Festival especially because I have returned to live here after many years away and it is wonderful to be back and supporting this great venture.

Give a couple of interesting facts about yourself.
I love taking workshops and using my performance skills to bring literature to life in a practical way. It is great fun using props, music, dance and drama to bring text to life.

Which book or poem do you wish you had written and why?
I wish I had written ‘The Hobbit’ by J.R.R. Tolkien because it is the first book I remember being read to me as a little girl; it inspired me even then.