More than 100 authors are set to descend upon the happiest place to live in the UK as Hexham Book Festival returns for the 17th year.
Taking place at venues across the historic market town, the highlight is the vintage Spiegeltent set up in the grounds of Hexham Abbey, which will host family festival StoryLand this year. This year's line-up includes authors, thinkers and politicians as well as performance events.
Val McDermid, best known in our region for writing the Wire in the Blood series which stars Robson Green, will discuss the second book in her Allie Burns series, 1989. Other high profile names appearing include former cabinet minister and Strictly star Ed Balls reflecting on his life in recipes; performance poet Hollie McNish talking sex, politics and a whole range of other subjects; and British/Ethiopian author Lemn Sissay, exploring his childhood in his book My Name is Why .
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Local favourite LJ Ross, creator of the DCI Ryan series, is also one of the headline acts. She will be reading from her latest novel set at a Northumberland beauty spot, simply named Bamburgh .
Director Susie Troup says: "Having weathered the pandemic and delivered a smaller programme in 2021 we’re thrilled to be back with our fabulous Spiegeltent, supported again by Hexham Abbey and working with our partners Queen's Hall Arts in our favourite venue the Queen's Hall. It's thanks to our many friends, funders and supporters that we are still here with a programme that we hope will delight all ages."
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The festival also offers a family friendly side with StoryLand. Staged in the Spiegeltent and under canvas in Hexham's Park, there will be interactive performances, kids comedy and circus acts during the 10-day event.
Some of the highlights include home-grown shows such as a reimagining of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic The Secret Garden but relocated to modern Northumberland, and an immersive and interactive performance involving games and imaginative play while exploring the extraordinary stories of Roald Dahl.
Sharon West, StoryLand festival programmer, said: " We are excited to bring StoryLand to Northumberland and look forward to welcoming all readers, dreamers, and believers. Magical stories will entertain and inspire children of all ages – and there will be lots for grown-ups to love too!"
Hexham Book Festival runs from June 10 - 19 and tickets go on sale on Thursday April 21. To find out more, visit Hexham Book Festival's website.
