BBC presenter to feature in Derby Book Festival 2024 starry line-up
Tickets are on sale now for Derby Book Festival’s autumn edition
Derby Book Festival has announced its starry line-up for the autumn edition and tickets are on sale now.
Book fans can enjoy 25 literary events planned in venues across the city.
Derby QUAD, Derby Museum, Landau Forte College, Artcore and local libraries will play host to bibliophiles from Thursday, November 14, till Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
Highlights of this year’s autumn edition will include Guardian columnist Adrian Chiles in conversation with BBC Midlands Correspondent Navtej Johal, and political journalist Tom Baldwin on his authoritative biography of Keir Starmer.
There is something for local fans too. Marcus Alton will be talking to former BBC Radio Derby sports presenter Colin Gibson on Brian Clough: The Lost Tapes.
Novelists in the line-up are Jonathan Coe who will be talking about his latest The Proof of my Innocence, Cecelia Ahern in conversation with Joanna Cannon, and Sarah Ward with the first of a new crime series set in New England.
There are treats for families and little ones too. Naomi Jones and Rebecca Ashdown, the author and illustrator of Thunderboots, the winner of this year’s Derby Children’s Book Award, will hold an event in the Old Library, Derby Museum on Sunday November 17.
There will also be illustration sessions with author and illustrator Pippa Curnick on Saturday November 16, at Alvaston Library and Normanton Library.
Free events which people can explore are University of Derby CivicLAB events at the Artcore Gallery.
Here, academics will share their latest research publications on a range of subjects, including The Many Faces of Dracula.
The festival will also include a Book and Craft Market at the Museum of Making on Saturday November 23.
Running from 10.30am till 4pm, there will be book related stalls and book themed activities for families during the day.
The autumn edition is a hybrid festival with in-person events, all of which will be recorded.
People can buy individual recordings of events (for 50% of the in-person ticket price) or a Digital Pass giving access to all 15 recorded events, which will be available to watch for six weeks after the festival ends (from 22 November to 3 January) for £35.
Professor Keith McLay, Chair of the Festival and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Derby, said: “Derby Book Festival continues to grow, and it is a joy to conclude another successful year with the autumn edition.
“Books provide us with escapism, help us explore new ideas and create conversations.
“Events planned are designed to inspire people to discover new authors and encourage their love of books.
“I am personally very passionate about the power of a good book and hope that audiences old and new can find the time to engage with the festival as this autumn’s exciting programme of events is not to be missed!
“As a Civic University, we champion the arts and culture of our city.
“Together with our partner venues at QUAD and the Museum of Making, we are delighted to continue to support Derby Book Festival.”
The festival is organised with the support of arts and cultural partners in the city, with funding from the Arts Council England, the University of Derby and over 20 businesses and individuals across the city.
For more information or to book tickets click here.