Lincoln Book Festival
12-16 May 2010
Screenwriting secrets, words on the weather, laughs with a Loose Woman and conversation with one of Britain’s leading actors are among the highlights of this year’s Lincoln Book Festival.
The city’s seventh celebration of books and all that they inspire runs from Wednesday May 12 to Sunday May 16.
Leading screenwriter and children’s writer Anthony Horowitz – who created the television series Foyle’s War and Midsomer Murders and writes books about the teenage superspy Alex Rider – is the headliner on the festival’s first day.
Weatherman John Kettley will be talking about his autobiography, while Loose Women star Lynda Bellingham will be talking about her book Lost and Found at Lincoln Drill Hall.
Comedian Jeremy Hardy will be reveal his family history while actor, writer and director Simon Callow will be choosing the books he’d take with him to the festival’s fictitious desert island.
Others who will be taking up residence on the island include Mercury Prize winner Speech Debelle, Radio 5 Live’s Dotun Adebayo, former Ordinary Boys frontman and Celebrity Big Brother contestant Preston and Watchmen creator Dave Gibbons.
There’s a whole day of events with a history theme featuring Alan Massie talking about the Royal Stuarts, Lincoln Cathedral’s Dr Nicholas Bennett and Titanic expert Tim Maltin.
You can learn more about the Japanese Anime art form and how to write Manga with tips from expert Al Davison, while Britain’s economic crisis will be put under the spotlight by financial experts Roger Bootle, Ray Boulger and Robert Cole.
And the festival has something for all the family. The One Read choice this year is JM Barrie’s perennial favourite Peter Pan. Barrie expert Andrew Birkin will be giving us his views on the boy who never grew up, there’s a chance to dress up as your favourite character and to go along to story time sessions on a pirate theme.
Sports fans aren’t forgotten. There’s the chance to learn more about Old Big ’Ead himself, Brian Clough, with Duncan Hamilton, whose memoir of the legendary soccer manager scooped the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award in 2007 - and cricket fans are not neglected as Hamilton will also talk about his biography of Bodyline cricketer Harold Larwood, which took last year’s William Hill prize.
Crime novelists will be discussing their work in the stunning surroundings of the Courtroom at Lincoln College, while the beautiful Wren Library at Lincoln Cathedral provides the backdrop for an event about the poet John Donne.
Other topics to be tackled include travel, photography, science fiction, horror and fantasy.
And aspiring photographers, playwrights, authors and Manga artists and writers can get expert help at a series of masterclasses, advice surgeries and workshops.
If you fancy enjoying some literature with a spot of food and drink there’s a literary lunch, where Sue Shephard will talk about her new book on Constance Spry, wine tasting with Geoff Adams, a Poems and Pastries event with photographer Terry King or the chance to listen to some Words in Special Places in coffee shops around the city.
“We hope that the mix of events we have in this year’s festival programme will attract visitors to the festival from Lincoln and beyond,” said festival co-director Sara Bullimore.
“Behind the scenes there have been many changes this year. Things are now organised in a different way and we are grateful to the Arts Council and the many other public and private sector organisations in Lincoln who have worked together to make sure this year’s festival can go ahead.
“We think it’s a diverse and exciting programme which offers the chance to enjoy some fantastic events – and we’ve worked hard to keep prices down, so people can come and enjoy as many events as possible.”
Tickets are on sale now from the festival box office on 01522 873894 and copies of the festival brochure are available at outlets including tourist information centres, libraries and bookshops.
To find out more about the festival, including how to join the Friends scheme which offers discounts on tickets for some events, go to www.lincolnbookfestival.co.uk
Lincoln Book Festival is being supported by a range of public and private sector partners including the Arts Council, Visit Lincolnshire, City of Lincoln Council, Lincolnshire County Council, Lincoln Cathedral, the University of Lincoln, NatWest, Lincoln Drill Hall, Lincoln Business Improvement Group, Lindum, Lincolnshire Co-operative and the Lincolnshire Echo.
