Ever wondered about the tricks of the trade for winning poetry slams?  How to Win a Poetry Slam!, a workshop that is part of the Warwick Words festival, will be led by Steve Larkin, founder of UK slam promoter Hammer and Tongue, on Sunday 30 September at Bridge House theatre, from 2-5pm. Steve said: “The point is not the points, the point is the poetry (as the saying goes in slam circles) but winning is nice and does your profile no harm.” If you want to pick up Steve’s top tips, book here.  But hurry. There are only 15 places available for this workshop, tickets £22.50.

Other poetry events at the festival, from 28 September to 7 October, include Dinah Smith, Warwick’s 2011 poet laureate and guest poets from Warwickshire and the west Midlands reading from their work, at the Thomas Oken tea rooms from 11am-4pm, on Thursday and Friday, 4 and 5 October. There will also be a poetry jukebox with Nine Arches Press at the Unitarian Chapel, 9pm, on Friday 28 September, with Maria Taylor, Luke Kennard, and Daniel Sluman. In addition, on 4 October, which happens to be National Poetry Day, Jacqui Rowe will be running a poetry workshop on writing about the spirit of place, at The Friends Meeting House, from 10am to 1pm. It’s another workshop with just 15 places available, costing £22.50. Book in advance through the box office on 01926 776438.