Durham’s annual Book Festival will return from 10 – 13 October, welcoming a host of writers from across the world and celebrating the power of the written word. We are looking forward to welcoming back Durham alumna and New York Times best-selling author Lucy Foley, to talk about her latest novel, The Guest List. Along with another alumnus Mathew Blake, who will be discussing his debut novel, Anna O.
Durham University contributors to this year’s festival include regular Radio 4 Thought for Today speaker, Professor of Theology, Revd Professor David Wilkinson, who will be giving a talk on God and Cosmology. Also, Professor Edith Hall, from the Department of Classics and Ancient History who will speak on her moving book, Edith Hall: Facing Down the Furies.
With a history of championing Northern talent, the headliners at this year’s festival include the Yorkshire-born author of the multi-million selling phenomenon, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Helen Fielding. The series spawned four blockbuster movies and shaped a whole new literary genre, Chick Lit.
While Sunderland-born Terry Deary, creator of Horrible Histories, selling over 38 million books in 45 languages, will be presenting his first book for adults, A History of Britain in Ten Enemies.
Other highlights include an exclusive dramatic reading of Booker Prize winner, Pat Barker’s new novel The Voyage Home, in association with Live Theatre.
American author Jodi Picoult, who has written 30 books and sold 40 million copies, will be discussing her latest historical novel, By Any Other Name.
For the first time, Durham Book Festival will host the renowned Forward Prizes for Poetry, while a series of workshops for aspiring writers will take place across the festival weekend.
500 copies of the picture book I am Brave by Caryl Hart and Zoe Waring, suitable for ages 2+, will be distributed by Durham Libraries for this year’s Little Read, which encourages children to read for pleasure.
Durham Book Festival is a Durham County Council event produced by New Writing North, with support from Durham University and Arts Council England.
