WOMAD’s World of Words tent returns this year with poetry slams, author chats and lively discussions as the Wiltshire festival takes time to celebrate the written and spoken word when it lands at Charlton Park on July 27.

Hosted by author and comic, Harriet Beveridge, the World of Words will have something to suit all bookworms and spoken word fans in what the festival team call a ‘buzzing hub of creativity boasting some of the literary world’s top rising stars.’

Authors on the bill include Robyn Travis speaking about his debut novel, Mama Can’t Raise No Man; Jon Stock (aka JS Monroe) on his new thriller, Find Me; JJ Bola on his debut novel No Place to Call Home; and Julian Hight on his World Tree Story. There will also be a panel discussion entitled How to Get Published with children’s author Wendy Meddour, self-published author Louise Ross and a selection of other publishers.

Topical speakers will include the director of human rights organisation, Reprieve, Clive Stafford-Smith OBE, who will be talking about torture and imprisonment and Donald Trump, and Jenny Sealey MBE, artistic director of the Graeae Theatre Company, will muse on diversity and creativity. BBC Radio 4’s Four Thought will also record live from Charlton Park when Helen Zaltzman joins conversation with comedian Nick Revell and choir director Natalie Maddix, among others.

WOMAD wouldn’t be complete without its M for music, and the World of Words stage will hear from musicians including Squeeze’s Chris Difford, guitar physicist Mark Lewney, the Tanzanian Albinism Collective, Eliza Carthy, and Bokante.

For those wanting to get involved, the library of Human Books will return, full of fascinating people waiting to tell you their story and chat with you and, new for 2017, the Post A Poem scheme will encourage people to put pen to paper and post their poem onsite – the best ones will be selected to be made into short films.

Of course WOMAD 2017 has a stellar musical line up boasting top names in world music including Goat, Benjamin Zephaniah and The Revolutionary Minds, Oumou Sangaré, !!! and many more.

For more information or to book tickets go to www.womad.co.uk.