Festival program for Durham 2024 unveiled
Durham Book Festival Returns with a Star-Studded Lineup
\n\n The Durham Book Festival is set to return from October 10-13, bringing together a diverse range of authors, discussions, and events. This annual celebration of literature, produced by New Writing North with support from Durham University and Arts Council England, has a rich history of championing Northern talent.
\n\n This year, Terry Deary, the creator of the popular Horrible Histories series, will present his first book for adults at the festival. Joining him is Mathew Blake, another Durham alumnus, who will discuss his debut novel.
\n\n One of the festival's highlights will be an association with Live Theatre for a dramatic reading of Pat Barker's new novel, The Voyage Home. Visitors can also look forward to an exclusive reading of this highly anticipated work.
\n\n The festival will also host the renowned Forward Prizes for Poetry for the first time. The shortlist for the prize can be viewed on the festival's website.
\n\n Aspiring writers will have the opportunity to attend a series of workshops across the festival weekend. Durham Libraries will also distribute 500 copies of the picture book I am Brave by Caryl Hart and Zoe Waring for this year's Little Read.
\n\n Acclaimed authors such as American author Jodi Picoult, known for her 30 books and 40 million copies sold, will discuss her latest historical novel, By Any Other Name. Helen Fielding, the Yorkshire-born author of Bridget Jones's Diary, will be a headliner at the festival.
\n\n Lucy Foley, a Durham alumna and New York Times best-selling author, will also attend the festival. Professor Edith Hall from the Department of Classics and Ancient History will speak on her book, Edith Hall: Facing Down the Furies. The festival will also feature a talk by Revd Professor David Wilkinson on God and Cosmology.
\n\n In addition to these authors, the festival will offer discussions on hidden histories with Lanre Bakare and Jake Morris-Campbell. The events will be held at various venues, including Gala Durham, Clayport Library, and Collected Books.
\n\n The Durham Book Festival promises to be a vibrant and engaging celebration of literature, offering opportunities to study English and Creative Writing at Durham, as well as exploring other things to do across University Attractions. Don't miss out on this literary feast!
[1] Reference to the 2021 Durham Book Festival events: The 2021 Durham Book Festival featured notable authors including Mary Portas, known for her memoir I Shop, Therefore I Am; Jeremy Vine, author of the murder mystery Murder on Line One; crime novelists Ann Cleeves and Steph McGovern; and Pat Barker with her daughter Anna Barker, who appeared with a family memoir event. These events were part of a larger program including more than 25 events held at venues such as Gala Durham, Clayport Library, and Collected Books during the festival dates. No specific details about other authors or precise event schedules from 2021 were found in the search results, but the named authors and described events provide a strong overview of the notable participants and highlights for that year.
- Aside from literature, attendees can delve into discussions about popular lifestyle topics at the Durham Book Festival, such as fashion and beauty, food and drink, home and garden, and travel.
- After immersing themselves in literature, visitors can further explore Durham University's vibrant campus and surrounding attractions, which offer opportunities for indulging in various activities like shopping for fashionable items, sampling exquisite local cuisine, designing home interiors, and planning exciting travel itineraries.
