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LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR GUILDFORD BOOK FESTIVAL 2023

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Today, organisers of Guildford Book Festival announce the line-up for the 2023 event, which returns to venues across the town between 1 and 18 October.

Now in its 34th year, the Festival opens with History Day at West Horsley Place, returning after its sellout debut last year.  This year’s event brings together Britain’s foremost female historian, Alison Weir, bestselling author, historian and joint Chief Curator for Historic Royal Palaces, Tracy Borman, historian and biographer Simon Heffer and Martin Williams, acclaimed social and art historian.  Discussing Henry VIII, who owned West Horsley Place, and Elizabeth I, who visited the historic house, along with key events of the 20th century, History Day also includes an opportunity to visit Grade I listed West Horsley Place, which has gained fame as the location for BBC One hit series, Ghosts.

For military history enthusiasts, James Holland will explore the Brutal Battle for Italy 1943, the subject of his latest book, and Saul David shares the dramatic story of the Devil Dogs, the legendary troops who were part of the first US ground offensive in WW2.

Festival favourite and Sunday Times number one bestselling Kate Mosse will discuss her new novel, The Ghost Ship, an epic tale of courageous women struggling to survive in a man’s world, and New York Times bestselling Dan Jones returns to the Festival with his Essex Dogs sequel, Wolves of Winter.

This year’s Readers’ Day, taking place at West Horsley Place for the first time, features fiction bestsellers Elizabeth Noble, Eva Rice and Freya Berry along with debut authors Georgina Moore, Jyoti Patel and Ola Mustapha.

And there will also be an opportunity to hear from Judy Murray, former Scottish international tennis player and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, who comes to the Festival with her debut novel, The Wild Card.  

Following the triumph of England’s Lionesses at Euro 2022, in Woman Up football journalist Carrie Dunn shines a light on the evolution of women’s football - and the gender gaps that still persist.  

In The Future of Geography, Tim Marshall will share insight into how power and politics in space will change our world, and in Wasteland, award-winning journalist Oliver Franklin-Wallis explores the dirty truth about what we throw away, where it goes and why it matters.  Sir Chris Bryant, Chair of the Committees on Standards and Privileges, will set out his thoughts on Why We Need to Fix Parliament.

Anthologist Ana Sampson and illustrator Chris Riddell will talk about their collaboration, Gods and Monsters, an exquisite collection of mythological poems from across time and place.

There’s a chance to get outdoors with Tiffany Francis-Baker who, in her latest book The Bridleway, explores how the relationship between horses and humans has shaped the British landscape.  This walking event takes place at Newlands Corner.

And at Hatchlands Park, Duncan Minshull will lead a walk and discuss Where My Feet Fall, his collection of twenty essays by leading writers who share their own experience of walking.

Moira Butterfield will also be at Hatchlands Park, with a special event for children inspired by her book, Look What I Found in the Woods. And ever-popular children’s author and illustrator, Rob Biddulph, will talk about Peanut Jones and the End of the Rainbow, the third and final book in this hilarious series.

Two extra events will take place in November.  For children, M.G. Leonard will introduce her latest book, The Ice Children, which is also published in November, and Louise Morrish, 2019 winner of the Penguin Random House First Novel competition, will discuss Operation Moonlight, her next book with connections to Guildford.

For budding authors, acclaimed creative writing tutor Rachel Marsh will lead an online writing course.

Alex Andrews, Guildford Book Festival Director, said:

"We are delighted to see History Day return for another year and are excited to be back at West Horsley Place for both History and Readers’ Day.”

“In particular, we would like to send a huge thank you to all our sponsors that stand by us every year, without their support we would not be able to continue."

Guildford Book Festival is a registered charity and is grateful to its sponsors who are: Simba, University of Surrey, Activate Learning, Cressive DX, Experience Guildford, Old Barn Books, Old Dungate Press, Charles Stanley and H2i Insurance Brokers. 

The 2023 Guildford Book Festival takes place between 1 and 18 October at venues across the Borough. Tickets are now on sale.

For further information and to book tickets: guildfordbookfestival.co.uk

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FOR FURTHER PRESS INFORMATION, INCLUDING INTERVIEWS:

Tamsin Williams - tamsin@wigwampr.com -  07939 651252  

Guildford Book Festival 

Established in 1989, Guildford Book Festival is staged annually across venues within the town.   Many bestselling authors have appeared at the Festival, including Jodi Picoult, Joanna Trollope, Louis De Bernières, Patrick Gale and Bernard Cornwall alongside household names such as Richard Osman, David Suchet, Jeremy Paxman, Graham Norton, Noel Fitzpatrick and Gyles Brandreth.

Guildford Book Festival is a registered charity and receives funding from Guildford Borough Council and the Community Foundation for Surrey.    

Festival patrons are Elizabeth Buchan, Michael Buerk, Adele Parks, Michael Rosen, Fay Weldon, Timothy West, Max Lu and Alistair Burtenshaw. 

GUILDFORD BOOK FESTIVAL LAUNCHES 2022 SCHOOLS’ PROGRAMME

This week, Guildford Book Festival’s annual Schools’ Programme got underway at St Peter’s Catholic School, Guildford where students had the opportunity to hear from award-winning children’s author, Ally Sherrick.

Over 200 of the School’s students attended the event, during which Ally – who lives in Surrey - spoke about her journey to become a writer and about how she finds inspiration for her books.  Ally also read from her book, Black Powder, a historical adventure set at the time of the Guy Fawkes’ Gunpowder Plot.

Other schools currently taking part in the Programme include George Abbot School, Holy Trinity Pewley Down School, Boxgrove Primary School, Sandfield Primary School, Bushy Hill Junior School, RGS Prep School and Wonersh and Shamley Green C of E Primary School. 

This year’s authors, in addition to Ally Sherrick, are Tim Collins, Lucy Reynolds and Rob Biddulph.

Ahead of October’s Festival Fortnight, Guildford Book Festival has just announced a special event with much-loved BBC Breakfast weather presenter, Carol Kirkwood. 

Carol is also a bestselling writer and she will be at Guildford’s Guildhall on Thursday 28 July to talk about her new novel The Hotel on the Riviera.  To book tickets:  guildfordbookfestival.co.uk

For further information:

guildfordbookfestival.co.uk

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Note to Editors

Andrew Hodges, 1949-2022

A tribute from Guildford Book Festival:

“It was with great shock and sadness that we learnt of the sudden death of Andrew Hodges in April. Andrew was one of the founding members of Guildford Book Festival back in 1989 and had been Chairman of the Trustees for the past seven years.   Throughout this time he led with integrity, kindness and a sense of humour, combining a keen business acumen, with his unfailing support for the aims of the Festival in sharing a love of reading with a wide and varied audience, young and old. 

An Honorary Freeman of Guildford, and a former Mayor, he dedicated much of his life to serving the people of the town as a councillor, mentor and tireless supporter of many community groups and charities of which the Book Festival was just one.

As a colleague, and as a friend, he will be greatly missed.”

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LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR GUILDFORD BOOK FESTIVAL 2021

Today, organisers of the Guildford Book Festival are delighted to announce the line-up for the 2021 event, which returns to venues across the town between 3 and 10 October.

Facing an uncertain future as a result of Covid-19, last year the Festival – which is a registered charity – launched an emergency fundraising appeal.  Thanks to generous public support and the return of headline sponsor Simba Sleep, the annual Festival is able to take place once again this year, which will be its 32nd edition.  

Featuring this year are: Oscar-winning actress, Hayley Mills, talking about her extraordinary life as a child star in Hollywood; award-winning writer Sebastian Faulks discussing his upcoming historical novel, Snow Country; comedian and presenter Mel Giedroyc with her acclaimed debut novel, The Best Things; Festival favourite Jeremy Vine who will be talking about his novel, The Diver and The Lover, and Channel 5’s ‘Dogfather’, Graeme Hall, with tips on how to manage dogs behaving (very) badly.

Popular chef, writer and TV presenter, Nadiya Hussain, will take part in a special post-Festival event to tie-in with the launch of her new BBC2 series and book.

Ever popular events the Literary Lunch, Readers’ Day and Crime Panel return to the Festival this year. Women’s Prize founder and bestselling author Kate Mosse joins celebrated auctioneer Philip Serrell at the Literary Lunch, hosted by broadcaster Katherine Higgins; Readers’ Day brings together leading fiction writers Tony Parsons, Deborah Moggach, Stacey Halls and Elizabeth Macneal with debut novelists Peace Adzo Medie and Hafsa Zayyan, and this year’s Crime Panel features William Shaw, James Henry and Olivia Kiernan.

Max Hastings will discuss Operation Pedestal, one of the greatest naval dramas of World War II; Judith Mackrell tells the fascinating stories of six ground-breaking female war correspondents; historian Andrew Lownie draws on new research to examine the years following the abdication of Edward VIII when the former king lived in exile, and journalist Simon Heffer discusses the frank, revealing and hugely entertaining diaries of Sir Henry ‘Chips’ Channon.

Post-Festival, historian Alison Weir will return to Guildford to talk about Katharine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII, while Marc Morris will shed new light on the beginnings of England as he talks about his latest book, The Anglo-Saxons.

Former leader of the Liberal Democrats and MP Vince Cable explores The Chinese Conundrum, and in Post Growth: Life after Capitalism, Professor Tim Jackson of the University of Surrey looks ahead to a world where relationship and meaning take precedence over profits and power.

Rugby fans will enjoy hearing from David Flatman and Mark Durden-Smith, and for music enthusiasts Oliver Craske will talk about the life of Indian classical music legend, Ravi Shankar, in a special event in partnership with Guildford Jazz also featuring music from Nic Meier’s World Group.  

The Countess of Carnarvon returns to Guildford to speak about her latest book, Seasons at Highclere: Gardening, Growing, and Cooking through the Year at the Real Downton Abbey, and nature lovers will be fascinated by Ambra Edward’s story of how plants have travelled across the world since the time of the Pharaohs. 

BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey presenter and mental health advocate, Jake Tyler, will lead a walk around Guildford and share the inspirational true story of how he escaped depression through a 3,000 mile walk around Britain, while bird expert Mike Langman will be leading a bird-spotting walk around Hatchlands Park, an event aimed at younger Festival-goers.

In an event held over from 2020 acclaimed poet and author, Ruth Padel, will be reading from her book, Beethoven Variations – Poems on a Life, with music from celebrated pianist, Carole Cerasi,  Held in association with the Investec International Music Festival the event was originally planned to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth.  Writer and poet Alwyn Marriage, a Research Fellow at the University of Surrey, will be reading poems from her inspirational new collection, Pandora’s Pandemic, based on her experiences of the last year.

Dr Ian Sanjay Patel will discuss immigration and racism in Britain in an event being held in association with the local branch of Amnesty International.  The Festival will also be joining forces with Watts Gallery for an online event featuring style luminary, Charlie Porter, author of What Artists Wear.

And for budding writers, Rachel Marsh will be running a five-day creative writing course which will take place online.  Softwood Self-Publishing will also lead an online course.

Guildford Book Festival aims to inspire a love of reading, writing and illustrating among all, and funds raised through ticket sales to the main Festival enable the charity to take authors into local schools.  This year the schools programme features Alex Milway, Rob Biddulph, Cath Howe, Lindsay Galvin, Chris Wakling and Ally Sherrick.

Commenting, Jane Beaton, Co-Director of Guildford Book Festival, said: 

“It’s brilliant to be able to offer a full programme of live events again this year.  With more than 30 speakers taking part on a diverse range of subjects at venues across the town, and social distancing rules relaxed, we are looking forward to seeing full houses again this autumn.”

Alex Andrews, Guildford Book Festival Co-Director, added:

“After a rollercoaster year our schools and pupils have really been hit hard and we are focusing more than ever on our schools programme. We are taking more authors and illustrators into schools and working closely with our headline sponsor Simba on free family events over the Festival weekends.”

Guildford Book Festival is a registered charity and is grateful to its sponsors: Simba Sleep, cressive.com, Charles Stanley Wealth Managers, Martin Grant Homes, Azets, Saxton Bampfylde, Guildford Arts, Green Team Interiors, Experience Guildford, Quercus Books and C&H Marketing.

The 32nd Guildford Book Festival takes place between 3 and 10 October 2021.  For further information and to book tickets: www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk  

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FOR FURTHER PRESS INFORMATION AND TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS: 

Tamsin Williams - tamsin@wigwampr.com -  07939 651252  

Guildford Book Festival 

Established in 1989, Guildford Book Festival is staged annually over 8 days across venues within the town.   Many bestselling authors have appeared at the Festival, including Jodi Picoult, Joanna Trollope, Louis De Bernières, Patrick Gale and Bernard Cornwall alongside household names such as Richard Osman, David Suchet, Jeremy Paxman, Graham Norton, Noel Fitzpatrick and Gyles Brandreth.

Guildford Book Festival is a registered charity and receives funding from Guildford Borough Council and the Community Foundation for Surrey.    

Festival patrons are Elizabeth Buchan, Michael Buerk, Adele Parks, Michael Rosen, Fay Weldon, Timothy West, Max Lu and Alistair Burtenshaw. 

Guildford Book Festival 2020

 The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre is pleased to announce that it will host this year’s Guildford Book Festival from Sunday 4 to Saturday 10 October. Now in its 31st year, Guildford Book Festival is recognised as the premier literary event in the South East, and brings leading writers to the town to inspire, inform and entertain. 

Jane Beaton, Festival Co-Director, said:  ‘We are delighted to be going ahead with this year’s festival and know this wouldn’t have been possible without the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. We are very grateful to Joanna Read and her team for all their help.  We have a great line-up of writers and top name stars from the worlds of entertainment and we look forward to welcoming them to Guildford in October.’   

Fellow director Alex Andrews said, ‘It’s been a challenging year but we have been encouraged by the support we have received throughout the town, and from the publishers and writers themselves.  We are excited that the Festival is happening, and hope that as many people as possible will come out and join us.’

 The Festival opens on Sunday 4 October with hugely popular TV producer and presenter of Pointless and House of Games, Richard Osman, discussing his lifelong love of crime fiction and his debut novel The Thursday Murder Club. Closing the festival this year is writer and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, who will present an entertaining evening of theatrical anecdotes taken from his new anthology.

During the week Countdown’s wordsmith, Susie Dent, will discuss her latest book, Word Perfect, in which the reader discovers the origins of a single word or phrase for every day of the year. Historian Charles Spencer, recounts the tragic tale of the sinking of the White Ship, one of the greatest maritime disasters in English history. Returning to the Festival for the fifth consecutive year Alison Weir will discuss the subject of her latest Six Tudor Queens series, Kathryn Howard. Ever popular authors Adele Parks and Sabine Durrant talk about their latest books, both psychological thrillers, and two other Sunday Times Top 10 bestselling authors, S J Parris (aka Stephanie Merritt) and Charlotte Philby, (granddaughter of Kim Philby, Britain’s most famous communist double-agent) will be at the Festival to discuss their latest gripping novels.

Investigative journalist Catherine Belton will delve deep into the workings of Putin's Kremlin when talking about her chilling exposé of the KGB’s renaissance, Putin’s People; and broadcaster James Naughtie will offer his own unique insights into what it means to be American in an ever-changing world when discussing his latest book, On the Road – American Adventures from Nixon to Trump. 

Leading environmentalist, Jonathon Porritt, will launch a passionate, but optimistic, call for urgent change as he discusses the climate emergency and his latest book, Hope in Hell.

 Motorsport fans can look forward to events with top sports journalists Maurice Hamilton and Richard Williams, as they discuss the lives of motorsport legends Niki Lauda and Richard Seaman, and former racing driver and James Bond stunt man Ben Collins, who will present a history of Britain’s most iconic car, the Aston Martin.

 Young space enthusiasts can get set for a cosmic trip of a lifetime with space scientist, and Guildford resident, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock’s Grand Tour of the Solar System.

 For food-lovers, Masterchef 2019 champion Irini Tzortoglou will introduce her favourite Greek family recipes from her book Under the Olive Tree: Recipes from my Greek Kitchen. Classical music-lovers will enjoy hearing Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, mother of Royal wedding cellist, Sheku, and his talented siblings, discuss her life story of raising a musical family against the odds, with a short recital by daughter, Konya Kanneh-Mason.  And for those with green fingers, Sue Stuart-Smith will explore the many ways that gardening can help transform lives.

Further highlights of the Festival will include: Ariana Neumann who tells her extraordinary and deeply-moving story of her father’s escape from Nazi-occupied Prague; Julie Summers in conversation with Katherine Higgins as they discuss Dressed for War: The Story of Audrey Withers, Vogue Editor Extraordinaire, and Olivia Williams will tell more about The Secret Life of the Savoy - and the D’Oyly Carte Family.

 The Festival may look a little different this year, as social distancing measures will be in place throughout the theatre.  Full details of the changes can be found on the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre’s website.

Priority booking for Friends of the Festival opens on Wednesday 2 September, and general booking is from Friday 4 September at Yvonne-Arnaud.co.uk.

 Sponsors for 2020 are Cressive DX, Green Team Interiors, Saxton Bampfylde, Mandira’s Kitchen, Martin Grant Homes, Guildford Borough Council and Guildford Arts.

Some events are taking place in other venues, and there will also be a number of virtual events, full details can be found at www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk

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For further information, interviews and images, please contact Ellie Harman at eharman@yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or Sally Anne Lowe at salowe@yvonne-arnaud.co.uk.

GUILDFORD BOOK FESTIVAL LAUNCHES FUNDRAISING APPEAL

Guildford Book Festival has announced that it is facing an uncertain future as a result of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The charity, which this October is set to celebrate its 31st edition, is reliant upon sponsorship and advertising to generate the £20,000 it costs each year to deliver the Festival. But with local businesses hard-hit by the lockdown and a fall in other funding, the charity is facing a significant shortfall in its income – which could mean that the 2020 event, taking place between 4 and 11 October, is its last.

To safeguard its future, Guildford Book Festival has launched a fundraising appeal and is asking the local community for support.

Each year, Guildford Book Festival brings leading writers to the town to inspire a love of reading, writing and illustrating among all.  Jodi Picoult, Sebastian Faulks, Joanna Trollope, Ian Rankin, Kate Mosse, Michael Morpurgo and former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy are amongst the many hundreds of celebrated authors to have appeared at Guildford Book Festival over the years, along with household names including Sir Roger Moore, Nigella Lawson, David Suchet, Dame Jenni Murray, Graham Norton, Sarah Millican, and Sir Ian Botham.    

Importantly, funds raised through ticket sales at these events enable the Festival to deliver its schools’ programme, which takes bestselling children’s authors into the Borough’s schools free of charge.

Commenting, Jane Beaton, Co-Director of Guildford Book Festival, said: “Guildford Book Festival has been at the heart of our community for 31 years, bringing leading authors and lively debate to our town, our university and into our schools.”

“We are determined that the 2020 Festival will go ahead this October, and we very much hope that we will be able to welcome audiences to our venues across the town.  If, however, the Government’s guidance prohibits live events taking place, we will present the Festival online.”

“But we are currently facing the prospect of this being our last Festival, and we are launching our first ever appeal to ask the public for their support.”

Alex Andrews, Co-Director of Guildford Book Festival, continues: “We recognise that these are very challenging times, and we would be very grateful for donations of any size.  We thank everyone who has supported us previously, and also want to say a special thank you to the organisations able to support us this year: Martin Grant Homes, cressive.com, RoffeSwayne, Green Team Interiors and the National Trust. We really hope that, together, we can enable our future.”

Leading international crime writer Peter James, a regular at Guildford over the years, said: 

"As our lives have become more limited this year, the power of the written word to transport us into other worlds and others’ minds has felt particularly pertinent. One of the joys of reading is being able to share these worlds with other readers at literary festivals. Guildford Book Festival is a festival I return to again and again for the wonderful atmosphere and wide variety of the talent it attracts. I am so pleased that, whether in person or online, we will still be able to come together this year and I hope, with kind donations, for many more after." 

Multi-million bestselling author, Adele Parks, who lives in Guildford and is a Patron of Guildford Book Festival, said:

“Guildford Book Festival is a highlight in my calendar: both professionally and personally. For over thirty years this annual event has brought culture, stimulation, education and entertainment to our doorstep. As it is so well established, it always attracts the very biggest names in the literary world, as well as supporting new talent and debuts; GBF is recognised as one of the very best festivals in the country. GBF fosters an important sense of community as book festivals are the perfect place to celebrate a love of literature with fellow fans, see favourite authors talk about their work, and of course, discover new writers and illustrators. It would be an unutterable loss to our community, to the book industry and to readers present and future if we can’t support and save this wonderful cultural event.”

Surrey resident and another Festival favourite, Alison Weir, who is the UK’s biggest-selling female historian, said:

“I love the Guildford Festival. They have been kind enough to invite me back several times over the years and, having done over 950 events in my career as an author, I can honestly say that Guildford is one of the best festivals ever. From the warm welcome to the fabulous audiences, and thanks to the seamless organising, it's a great experience.”

“Festivals bring communities together, offering events to cater for all interests at a very reasonable cost. Where else do local people have the opportunity to meet their favourite authors on their own doorstep? It's so important to bring people together culturally, to share stories and ideas, and just to have a great time. That's what the Guildford Festival offers - and we should all treasure it.”

To support Guildford Book Festival, please visit http://www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk/

Already announced for the 2020 Guildford Book Festival, taking place between 4 and 11 October, are: Adele Parks, Alison Weir, Charles Spencer, Joanna Trollope, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Peter James, Richard Osman and Susie Dent. To find out about sponsorship, please contact alexandrews@guildfordbookfestival.co.uk

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FESTIVE CLOSE TO GUILDFORD BOOK FESTIVAL 2019

 Leading poet Carol Ann Duffyensured the 2019 Guildford Book Festival came to a triumphant close on Sunday (17 November) with readings from her new Christmas poem, Frost Fair, and seasonal song by the Fayrfax Singers, led by Nerissa Taysom. 

The annual Festival, which this year celebrated its 30th season, brought a wealth of top authors and household names to Surrey’s premier literary event. Highlights included celebrated actor and star of ‘Poirot’, David Suchet; award-winning adventurer and TV presenter, Steve Backshall; hugely popular historian and broadcaster Dan Snow; global bestselling novelists Louis de Bernières, Sarah Perry and Tracy Chevalier; much-loved presenter of Countryfile, John Cravenand Pam Ayres, the nation’s favourite poet.

 Killing Eve fans enjoyed an evening with author Luke Jennings; Katy Brand shared her obsession with cult film Dirty Dancing and Downton Abbey devotees discovered all about Christmas at Highclere Castle – the Real Downton Abbey – from The Countess of Carnarvon.

 The Festival welcomed leading local authors, including quantum physicist and broadcaster Professor Jim Al-Khalili, who is based at the University of Surrey; Alison Weir, the UK’s biggest- selling female historian and multi-million bestselling Adele Parks, who introduced her latest novel, Lies Lies Lies.

Also acclaimed historian Max Hastings, former SAS-soldier turned novelist Chris Ryan, Blue Planet cameraman Gavin Thurston, bestselling author and screenwriter Deborah Moggach, internationally-respected forensic scientist Professor Angela Gallop and journalist and broadcaster Kirsty Wark– plus many more.

Once again, the Festival’s 5-day Creative Writing Course, led by Rachel Marsh, was a sellout. Guildford Book Festival was delighted to welcome back Surrey Pet Detective Colin Butcherwho, having attended both the Creative Writing and How to Get Published events at previous Festivals,  has recently published his debut book, Molly & Me.

A registered charity, Guildford Book Festival aims to inspire a love of reading, writing and illustrating among all. This year’s Schools’ Week – which is funded through tickets sales to Festival events -  enabled more than 2,000 students from across the Borough to meet critically acclaimed authors and illustrators including Duncan Beedie, Alex Milway, Karen McCombie, Teri Terry and Lindsay Galvin.

Jane Beaton and Alex Andrews, Co-Directors of Guildford Book Festival, said: “This year was one of our strongest Festivals with record attendances and some excellent speakers. We would like to thank everyone who came along and supported this year’s event whether as a speaker, a volunteer, or a member of the audience.” 

The 31st Guildford Book Festival takes place between 4 and 11 October 2020, and the popular Spring Readers’ Day returns on Saturday 25 April 2020 with TV presenter and bestselling author, Fern Britton, among the line-up of speakers. Tickets will go on-sale in the New Year.

In addition, Guildford Book Festival is collaborating with Investec International Music Festival (IIMF) and Hatchlands Park to present a special evening of music and verse in celebration of the 250thanniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven. The event, which takes place on Thursday 26 March 2020, will feature award-winning poet Ruth Padel, who will read from her new collection, Beethoven Variations: Poems on a Life, and internationally acclaimed pianist and IIMF Artistic Director, Wu Qian, who will provide a taste of the great composer’s music. The event will be held in the Music Room at Hatchlands, home to the Cobbe Collection of historic keyboard instruments – which includes a piano once played by Beethoven. Tickets on sale from 16 December.

Guildford Book Festival is grateful to its sponsors: cressive.com, Green Team Interiors, HFW, Wilkins Kennedy, The Rutland Group, Roffe Swayne, the University of Surrey, Merrist Wood College, Guildford Arts and Martin Grant Homes. 

 For further information and to book tickets: www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk 

 -ENDS -

 FOR FURTHER PRESS INFORMATION, IMAGES AND TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS: 

Tamsin Williams - Wigwam PR – +44 (0)1483 563562 

tamsin@wigwampr.com/+44 (0)7939 651252  

 Guildford Book Festival 

Established in 1989, Guildford Book Festival is staged annually over 8 days across venues within the town.   Many bestselling authors have appeared at the Festival, including Jodi Picoult, Sebastian Faulks, Joanna Trollope, Joanne Harris and Ian Rankin alongside household names such as Sir Roger Moore, Jeremy Paxman, Graham Norton, Kate Adie, Brian Blessed and Sir Ian Botham. 

Guildford Book Festival is a registered charity and receives core funding from Guildford Borough Council and the University of Surrey. 

 Festival patrons are Elizabeth Buchan, Michael Buerk, Adele Parks, Michael Rosen, Fay Weldon, Timothy West, Max Lu and Alistair Burtenshaw.

GUILDFORD BOOK FESTIVAL 2019: READERS’ DAY AND LITERARY LUNCH LINE-UP ANNOUNCED

Today, Guildford Book Festival – which celebrates its 30th season in 2019 – announces the line-up for its ever-popular Literary Lunch and Readers’ Day.  

Deborah Moggach, bestselling author of Tulip Fever and These Foolish Things (adapted for the screen as The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), will join Condé Nast legend Nicholas Coleridge at the Harbour Hotel on Monday 7 October for this year’s Literary Lunch.  Deborah will discuss her new novel, The Carer, a funny and poignant tale which shows that life most definitely does not stop for the elderly. In The Glossy Years: Magazines, Museums and Selective Memoir, Nicholas Coleridge writes with astonishing candour about his thirty-year career at Condé Nast, where he has witnessed it all; from the anxieties of the Princess of Wales to the blazing fury of Mohammed Al-Fayed. Nicholas will entertain the audience with anecdotes including a surreal weekend away with Bob Geldof and William Hague, and Margaret Thatcher’s clothes legacy.

Readers’ Day, which takes place on Saturday 12 October at the Harbour Hotel, is a mini festival in a day, bringing together seven of the country’s leading authors.  Internationally bestselling Tracy Chevalier will share insight into her much-awaited new novel, A Single Thread; Lisa Jewell (Then She Was Gone) will discuss The Family Upstairs, her compulsive new thriller; Festival favourite and multi-million bestselling author Adele Parks returns with her latest book, Lies, Lies, Lies; Elizabeth Macneal, author of award-winning The Doll Factory, and Elizabeth Buchan, whose latest book The Museum of Broken Promises is a journey into a long-buried past, will shed light on writing historical fiction, and Anstey Harris and Richard Roper will discuss their debut novels, The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton and Something to Live For.

Jane Beaton, Co-Director of Guildford Book Festival, said:

“We are delighted to have such a strong line-up for both Readers’ Day and the Literary Lunch, two of the Festival’s most popular days.  With its mix of established award-winning authors and outstanding new writers Readers’ Day is a wonderful day out for book lovers, and one we look forward to every year. And, the combination of Deborah Moggach and Nicholas Coleridge is certain to make for an entertaining Literary Lunch.  Another date not to be missed.”

Guildford Book Festival is a registered charity and is grateful to its sponsors: Cressive.com, The Rutland Group, Roffe Swayne, the University of Surrey and Martin Grant Homes. 

The 30th Guildford Book Festival takes place between 6 and 13 October 2019.  For further information and to book tickets for the 2019 Literary Lunch and Readers’ Day: www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk

Further events will be announced and tickets released for sale over the summer.  Follow @gfordbookfest 

 FOR FURTHER PRESS INFORMATION, IMAGES AND TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS:

Tamsin Williams - Wigwam PR – +44 (0)1483 563562

tamsin@wigwampr.com/+44 (0)7939 651252    

 Guildford Book Festival

Established in 1989, Guildford Book Festival is staged annually over 8 days across venues within the town.   Many bestselling authors have appeared at the Festival, including Jodi Picoult, Sebastian Faulks, Joanna Trollope, Joanne Harris and Ian Rankin alongside household names such as Sir Roger Moore, Jeremy Paxman, Graham Norton, Kate Adie, Brian Blessed and Sir Ian Botham.

 Guildford Book Festival is a registered charity and receives core funding from Guildford Borough Council and the University of Surrey.

 Festival patrons are Elizabeth Buchan, Michael Buerk, Adele Parks, Michael Rosen, Fay Weldon, Timothy West, Max Lu and Alistair Burtenshaw.

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PRUE LEITH AND SOPHIE HANNAH JOIN THE LINE-UP FOR GUILDFORD BOOK FESTIVAL’S SPRING READERS’ DAY

Guildford Book Festival is delighted to announce details of its first Spring Readers’ Day, taking place on Saturday 13 April 2019 at the Harbour Hotel, Guildford. 

Always hugely popular during the annual Festival week (the 2019 Festival will be held between 6 and 13 October), Guildford Book Festival’s Readers’ Day brings some of Britain’s best-loved authors to the town to share their stories – creating a mini festival in a day!

 Spring Readers’ Day, hosted by novelist and journalist, Fanny Blake, features:

•  Culinary authority and Bake Off judge, Prue Leith, to discuss The Lost Son, her eighth novel and the last of her Angelotti Chronicles, set around a food empire;

•  Internationally bestselling crime writer, Sophie Hannah, with her third novel based on Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot;

•  Erin Kelly, the Sunday Times bestselling author of He Said/She Said with her latest gripping story, Stone Mothers;

•  Surrey author Elizabeth Noble, with her number one bestselling Richard & Judy Book Club pick, Love, Iris; 

•  Lucy Foley, author of Sunday Times bestseller The Hunting Party, a glamorous and chilling murder mystery set in the Scottish Highlands;

•  Journalist and author Marianne Kavanagh with her fourth novel, Disturbance, a psychological drama;

•  Seni Glaister, to discuss her second novel, Mr Doubler Begins Again, an uplifting tale about the kindness of strangers.

 Commenting, Alex Andrews, Co-Director of Guildford Book Festival, said: “Readers’ Day has been a popular feature of Guildford Book Festival for many years, and as such we are so pleased to be introducing our first Spring Readers’ Day.”

 “If you are an avid reader of fiction, what better way to spend the day than in the company of these great authors?”

 Guildford Book Festival’s Spring Readers’ Day takes place on Saturday 13 April 2019, 10am -4pm, at the Guildford Harbour Hotel, GU1 3DA.  Tickets: £43, including light lunch and refreshments. 

 For further information and to book tickets: www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk

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FOR FURTHER PRESS INFORMATION, IMAGES AND TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS:

Tamsin Williams - Wigwam PR – +44 (0)1483 563562

tamsin@wigwampr.com/   +44 (0)7939 651252 

Guildford Book Festival

Established in 1989, Guildford Book Festival is staged annually over 8 days across venues within the town.   Many bestselling authors have appeared at the Festival, including Jodi Picoult, Sebastian Faulks, Joanna Trollope, Joanne Harris and Ian Rankin alongside household names such as Sir Roger Moore, Jeremy Paxman, Graham Norton, Kate Adie, Brian Blessed and Sir Ian Botham.

Guildford Book Festival is a registered charity and receives core funding from Guildford Borough Council and the University of Surrey.

Festival patrons are Elizabeth Buchan, Michael Buerk, Adele Parks, Michael Rosen, Fay Weldon, Timothy West, Max Lu and Alistair Burtenshaw.

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2018 Press Releases

JO BRAND, ROBIN KNOX-JOHNSTON AND LEONARD BERNSTEIN CENTENARY GALA CONCERT JOIN THE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

Today, organisers of Guildford Book Festival announce more authors added to the line-up for the 2018 event, which takes place at venues across the town between 7 and 14 October.

Ahead of the publication of her darkly funny book, Born Lippy, Britain's favourite comedian Jo Brandwill share her hilarious and highly useful guide to life as a woman.  

50 years on from becoming the first man to complete a single-handed, non-stop circumnavigation of the world, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston will reveal the true, extraordinary story of his life told for the first time in his new autobiography, Running Free. 

The Festival is also delighted to announce further details of the Leonard Bernstein Centenary event which will take place on Saturday 6 October, the eve of the Festival, at Holy Trinity Church on Guildford High Street. Following a talk by broadcaster and official Bernstein biographer, Humphrey Burton CBE, renowned conductor Alexander Ingram will lead the specially formed Guildford Festival Orchestra, in an evening of Bernstein’s magical music with internationally acclaimed soloists, soprano Paula Sides, tenor David Horton, mezzo Carolyn Dobbin and baritone Matthew Siviter.  The programme includes highlights from West Side Story,Candide and On the Town.  Alexander’s recent work includes conducting Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahitifor Opera North, while Paula and David took the lead roles in Candidefor Iford Arts/Opera Della Luna earlier this summer to great critical acclaim.

In Ghosts, Ghouls and the Gothic: Writing to Thrill, ‘Queen of the Dark Ages’ Karen Maitland will join Laura Purcell to discuss what goes into writing a ghostly historical thriller, including tips on how to raise the goose bumps and spook the senses. Karen and Laura will be in conversation with the University of Surrey’s Professor Bran Nicol and Professor Patricia Pulham. 

Historian Nadine Akkerman will consider the role of women spies in 17th century Britain, showing the key role they played in gathering intelligence crucial to domestic and national security.

Bestselling author Emma Burstall will talk about the latest novel in her Tremarnock series, set in a delightful Cornish village.

And in The Wandering Vine, award-winning food and wine writer Nina Caplan will share stories from her journey following the vine into the past, from Champagne’s ancient chalk to the mountains of Campania. 

In partnership with The Arts Society, Linda Smith will present the lives and work of artists William Hogarth and Joshua Reynolds, two painters with very different styles and ambitions both critical to the evolution of 18th century British art, and BBC One Antiques Roadshow expert Mark Hill will shed light on the dramatic change in the antiques market and will explain how pieces from the 1970’s can fetch more than those made in the 1770’s. 

Already announced for Guildford Book Festival 2018 are, amongst others: former BBC War Correspondent Martin Bell; celebrated broadcaster Jenni Murray; renowned journalist Max Hastings; Strictly Come Dancing favourite Anton du Beke; Supervet Professor Noel Fitzpatrick; internationally bestselling fiction writers Bernard Cornwell, Kate Mosse and Joanna Trollope; acclaimed author Matt Haig; world-renowned drummer of the Small Faces and The Who, Kenney Jones; much-loved hugely popular cricket commentator David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd; historian Alison Weir and ever popular authors Adele Parks and Tasmina Perry.

Guildford Book Festival is grateful to Headline Sponsor Simba Sleep and to sponsors Wilkins Kennedy, Martin Grant Homes, The Rutland Group, Surrey Libraries, the Mandolay Hotel, Green Team Interiorsand the University of Surrey.

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GUILDFORD BOOK FESTIVAL SCHOOLS’ WEEK 2018

This week, Guildford, Waverley and Woking students had an opportunity to meet their favourite authors and illustrators thanks to Guildford Book Festival.  Award-winning author and illustrator Simon Bartram, critically acclaimed poet James Carter, bestselling author Lauren St John, maths teacher and author Muhammad Khan, hugely popular writer Christopher Lloyd and internationally acclaimed author and illustrator Yuval Zommer entertained more than 2000 students across ten schools, including Busbridge Infants, Bushy Hill, St Edmund’s Catholic Primary, Holy Trinity, Howard of Effingham, Queen Eleanor’s, RGS, Sandfield, Woking High and Wonersh & Shamley Green Primary.

A registered charity, Guildford Book Festival aims to inspire a love of reading, writing and illustrating among all.  Funds raised through ticket sales to the main Festival – which this year takes place between 6 and 14 October – enable the Festival to take authors into local schools during the annual Schools’ Week.

Commenting, Alex Andrews, Co-Director of Guildford Book Festival, says: “Our schools events are always one of the highlights of the Festival – it was inspiring to see so many pupils engaging with the authors and illustrations and really buzzing about books. A huge thank you goes out to all the schools and speakers involved and also to our children’s sponsor, Martin Grant Homes. Without their continued support the programme would not be possible.”

Taking place between 6 and 14 October at venues across the town, Guildford Book Festival is recognised as the premier literary event in the South East.  Now in its 29thyear, highlights of the 2018 Festival include former BBC War Correspondent Martin Bell, celebrated broadcaster Jenni Murray, renowned journalist Max Hastings, internationally bestselling fiction writers Bernard Cornwell, Kate Mosse and Joanna Trollope, and acclaimed author Matt Haig.

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GUILDFORD BOOK FESTIVAL 2018: 

MORE AUTHORS ANNOUNCED AND MORE TICKETS NOW RELEASED FOR SALE

Today, organisers of Guildford Book Festival announce more authors for the 2018 event, which takes place at venues across the town between 6 and 14 October – and release further tickets for sale.

Joining an already sparkling line-up are Strictly Come Dancingfavourite Anton du Beke, with his debut novel, One Enchanted Evening, a sweeping historical romance set around a London hotel ballroom in the lead up to World War II; the UK’s most famous and beloved vet, Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, recounting his inspiring journey from growing up on the family farm in Ireland to starring in Channel 4’s The Supervet; leading batsman James Taylor, whose promising cricket career was dramatically cut short when he was diagnosed with a serious heart condition at the age of 26; much-loved author Patrick Gale, who will talk about his new book, Take Nothing With You, and Gill Sims, who will discuss Why Mummy Swears, her hilarious follow-up to her bestselling debut novel, Why Mummy Drinks.

Marking the centenary of the WWI Armistice, award-winning biographer and naval historian Jim Ring will reveal the pivotal role of the Navy in the ‘war to end all wars’.

Anthologist Ana Sampson will explore the history of female poetry, with readings from some of her favourite poets from the ancient world to the present day.  Among those featured are Maya Angelou, Carol Ann Duffy, Grace Nichols, Emily Dickinson, Christina Rossetti and Charlotte Bronte. 

Nicolas Seal, a leading environmental scientist and Japanese Knotweed expert, will present a fascinating look at the destructive plant’s origins, its history and the reasons for its success.  The session will end with a short knotweed clinic. 

And to mark Lewis Carroll’s arrival in Guildford 150 years ago, Matt Pinches, Co-Founder of the award-winning Guildford Shakespeare Company, discusses the writer's unique relationship with the town and the return of GSC's Alice in Wonderland, a multi-venue theatre production.

Already announced for Guildford Book Festival 2018 are, amongst others: former BBC War Correspondent Martin Bell; celebrated broadcaster Jenni Murray; renowned journalist Max Hastings; internationally bestselling fiction writers Bernard Cornwell, Kate Mosseand Joanna Trollope; acclaimed author Matt Haig; world-renowned drummer of the Small Faces and The Who, Kenney Jones; much-loved music broadcaster Humphrey Burton; hugely popular cricket commentator David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd; historian Alison Weir and ever popular authors Adele Parks and Tasmina Perry.

Guildford Book Festival is grateful to Headline Sponsor Simba Sleep and to sponsors Wilkins Kennedy, Martin Grant Homes, The Rutland Group, Surrey Libraries, the Mandolay Hotel and Green Team Interiors.

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GUILDFORD BOOK FESTIVAL 2018: INITIAL LINE-UP ANNOUNCED

Organisers of the Guildford Book Festival today announce the initial line-up for 2018, with events taking place at venues across the town between 7 and 14 October.

Recognised as the premier literary event in the South East, the 29th edition of Guildford Book Festival will feature: former BBC War Correspondent Martin Bell, with a moving, personal account of the travesties of war and an impassioned call to ‘put the substance back into news’; celebrated broadcaster Jenni Murray with her History of the World in 21 Women; renowned journalist Max Hastings, with a masterful new chronicle of the Vietnam War; internationally bestselling fiction writers Bernard Cornwell, Kate Mosse and Joanna Trollope, and acclaimed author Matt Haig, who will share his thoughts on how to feel happy, human and whole in the 21st century. 

World-renowned drummer of the Small Faces and The Who, Kenney Jones will talk about his rock ‘n’ roll life, while much-loved music broadcaster, Humphrey Burton, will share insight into the life and career of Leonard Bernstein, marking the centenary of the composer’s birth.

Hugely popular commentator David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd will entertain with brilliant stories from his cricket journey which has taken him all over the world.

Returning to the Festival for the third year in a row, historian Alison Weir will discuss the subject of her latest Six Tudor Queens series, Jane Seymour, while ever popular authors Adele Parks and Tasmina Perry return to talk about their latest books, both psychological thrillers.  

In a series of sessions to celebrate 100 years since the start of suffrage for women, Diane Atkinson will explore the lives of the suffragettes who answered the call to ‘Rise Up!’; Sharon Wright will reveal the astonishing stories of the fabulous female pioneers of balloon flight, and Miranda Seymour will discuss Ada Lovelace, Lord Byron’s brilliant, mercurial daughter, who predicted the dawn of the computer era.

Spy fans can look forward to Ben MacIntyre, discussing  The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War, and Henry Hemming, who will shed light on MI5’s greatest spymaster, Maxwell Knight. 

Leading crime writer M. J. Arlidge and bestselling writer of historical thrillers, S. J. Parris, will be in conversation about their latest, chilling books.

Nick Hewer (The Apprenticeand Countdown) will share the A to Z of his life, and Telegraph columnist Bryony Gordon will seek to inspire others through her hilarious journey from self-proclaimed ‘loafer’ to London Marathon runner.  

Geneticist and BBC Radio 4 Inside Science presenter, Adam Rutherford, will talk about how we became humans, and The One Show’s eco expert, Lucy Siegle, will call for urgent action to end the plastic pandemic. 

For food lovers, Skye McAlpine will offer an insider’s perspective on Venetian cooking and Maryam Sinai will entertain with recipes from the Persian kitchen. In Food You Can Forage, Tiffany Francis will show how foraging can be an adventure for the entire family.

David Lough will discuss his newly published book featuring an extraordinary exchange of letters between Winston Churchill and his mother, while Duncan Barrett will talk about what it was like to live under German occupation in the Channel Isles. Having been granted unique access to Chinese archaeologists and historians, Edward Burman will tell the story of the astounding Terracotta Warriors.

Tom Rachman, making his debut at the Festival with his novel, The Italian Teacher, will discuss the contemporary art world with Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni, daughter of Antonia Fraser and author of After Andy: Adventures in Warhol Land.

This year’s Readers’ Day will again be hosted by Woman & Home’s Fanny Blake, and will feature popular authors Sarah Vaughan, Louise Candlish, Ruth Hogan and Kit de Waal along with debut writers, A. J. Pearce and Libby Page.

Budding writers can benefit from Creative Writing Workshops led by Rachel Marsh along with expert advice on How to Get Published.

For children there’s award-winning M G Leonard, Bryony Thomson, Gabrielle Djanogly and CBeebies favourite, Olobob Top, as well as Matt Haig talking about his new children’s books.

Funds raised through ticket sales and sponsorship enable the Festival to take authors into the Borough’s schools. This year’s schools’ programme takes place in July and students will be entertained by James Carter, Yuval Zommer, Lauren St John, Muhammad Khan, Simon Bartram and Christopher Lloyd.

Guildford Book Festival looks forward to once again working with its charity partners: Amnesty International, The Arts Society and Watts Gallery.  

The Festival is grateful to Headline Sponsor Simba Sleep and to sponsors Wilkins Kennedy, University of Surrey, Martin Grant Homes, The Rutland Group, Surrey Libraries and the Mandolay Hotel.

Commenting, Guildford Book Festival Co-Director Jane Beaton says: “We have a wonderful line-up of authors joining us this year, offering a wide variety of events.  With subjects from crime writing to rock music, espionage to food foraging there is something for everyone.”

Guildford Book Festival Co-Director Alex Andrews adds: “We look forward to welcoming some of the country’s best authors and illustrators and believe we have something for every taste and age.”

Tickets for Readers’ Day and the Literary Lunch are now on sale.  In addition, tickets can now be booked for two children’s events taking place over the summer with David Roberts and Yuval Zommer. For further information and to book tickets:  or 01483 444334.

Tickets for other events will be released over the summer.  

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FOR FURTHER PRESS INFORMATION, IMAGES AND TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS:

Tamsin Williams - Wigwam PR – +44 (0)1483 563562

tamsin@wigwampr.com/+44 (0)7939 651252     

Guildford Book Festival

Established in 1989, Guildford Book Festival is staged annually over 8 days across venues within the town.   Many bestselling authors have appeared at the Festival, including Jodi Picoult, Sebastian Faulks, Joanna Trollope, Joanne Harris and Ian Rankin alongside household names such as Sir Roger Moore, Jeremy Paxman, Graham Norton, Kate Adie, Brian Blessed and Sir Ian Botham.

Guildford Book Festival is a registered charity and receives core funding from Guildford Borough Council and the University of Surrey.

Festival patrons are Elizabeth Buchan, Michael Buerk, Adele Parks, Michael Rosen, Fay Weldon, Timothy West and Max Lu.