Guildford Book Festival announces highlights for 2008 Festival 16-25 October
Tuesday 22 July 2008
Organisers of the annual Guildford Book Festival are setting the stage for another major celebration of the written word. The wide-ranging programme is taking shape and includes performances, discussions, workshops and more.
The line-up so far features some of Britain’s finest writers and personalities including Ray Mears, Jackie Collins, Wendy Cope, Rick Wakeman, Jenni Murray, Chris Patten, Gerald Scarfe, Simon Hoggart, Lionel Shriver, Carol Drinkwater and Richard Madeley.
Fiction, as always is at the heart of the programme. A particular highlight is Readers’ Day. It offers a rare opportunity to interact with some of today’s bestselling novelists including Katie Fforde, Lesley Pearse, Michael Dobbs, Emily Barr, R J Ellory (chosen by the Richard & Judy Book Club) and Catherine O’Flynn (winner of the Festival’s own First Novel Award (2007) and the Costa First Novel Award (2007). The Festival will be marking the centenary of the much loved Mills & Boon novels. It will also be celebrating the vast collection of works and characters created by Guildford-born author P.G. Wodehouse - the event will be hosted by author and playwright Simon Brett. The eagerly anticipated literary Quiz Night will also be back by popular demand.
Devoted crime fans will not be disappointed. Simon Brett, in the company of leading crime writers Stella Duffy, Martyn Waites, Natasha Cooper and Michael Ridpath presents Foul Play which promises to be a thoroughly engaging ‘Whodunnit?’ event.
One of Britain’s leading political activists Mark Thomas makes his first visit to the Festival. He will be talking about his global adventures with Coca-Cola and his latest book Belching Out the Devil’, an exposé on the working practices of this global brand.
Children are promised an imaginative programme of events which range from Samurai sword demonstrations to interactive storytelling. The Big Draw, now a Festival favourite among all ages will also add fun and colour to the Festival. A number of children’s authors will be coming to share their stories and bring their books and characters to life - they include Amanda Lees, Alex Milway and Mark Walden, creator of H.I.V.E. (Higher Institute for Villainous Education), particularly relished by young boys. A first for this year is the Family Day on 25 October. It culminates in a very special performance from Children’s Laureate and Guildford Book Festival patron Michael Rosen. He will be accompanied by The Home Made Orchestra and together, they promise to raise the roof with their own brand of fun and mayhem.
Once again the Festival encourages new writing with its own First Novel Award. Many entries have been received and the competition promises to be fierce. Chairing the judging panel this year is Deputy Literary Editor of The Sunday Times Andrew Holgate. He will announce the winner at a Presentation Dinner on 15 October. There are many other opportunities to take part in a wide range of workshops but early booking is recommended as they are always the first to sell out!
Many more events will be added to the mix and the Festival brochure will be available from mid September from The Electric Theatre, Guildford Tourist Information Centre, Waterstone’s branches, libraries and many other pick-up points.
For more details on events and authors and to join the mailing list log on to www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk.
