Durham Book Festival is back: Here’s who’s going to be there

Thousands of visitors are expected at this autumn’s Durham Book Festival, running from 10–12th October. The festival will welcome writers including Dame Pat Barker, Steph McGovern, Eliza Clark, and Ann Cleeves.

The event will take place at Gala Durham, Clayport Library and Collected Books, as well being accessible online.

The programme also includes the launch of Forged in the North, a new podcast series by Bishop Auckland-born Dr Fiona Hill. Hill — foreign affairs advisor and Durham University Chancellor — will discuss the project at the festival. Guests on the podcast include Sting and Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies.

Spotlight on Northern voices

Festival director Rebecca Wilkie told the BBC: “It feels very strong in terms of Northern voices this year, which is exciting. It feels wonderful to bring together multiple generations of authors, and we hope it will inspire emerging writers or people who would like to be writers.”

Headline authors and exclusive events

Eliza Clark, from Newcastle and best known for her novel Boy Parts, called the line-up “an amazing demonstration of the quality of writing talent” in the North East.

Booker Prize winner Dame Pat Barker, Durham University alumna, will discuss Dipped In Ink, her upcoming memoir, in conversation with her daughter Anna Barker. Wilkie described the event as “a very exclusive opportunity with one of Britain’s most revered novelists.”

Ann Cleeves, from Whitley Bay, will appear alongside award-winning broadcaster Steph McGovern to discuss Deadline, McGovern’s debut thriller.

Romani storyteller Richard O’Neill and Northumberland-born author LJ Ross will explore how the North East has shaped their writing, in conversation with Dr Hill.

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Durham University alumnus Jeremy Vine will also be attending the event. The broadcaster and donor of the Jeremy Vine Scholarship will discuss Murder on Line One, his first crime novel.

Platform for emerging writers

Alongside these headline names, the festival will showcase new talent. There will be a scratch night for emerging writers and a programme of creative writing workshops.

Councillor Lyndsey Fox, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economy and partnerships, described this year’s line-up as “truly inspirational.” She added: “I hope it inspires aspiring authors, poets and journalists across County Durham to follow their dreams.”