The East Riding Festival of Words returns with bestselling authors and exciting new events

The East Riding Festival of Words will return this October, bringing together best-selling authors, performers and creative voices for a celebration of books, storytelling and ideas.

Organised by East Riding Libraries and funded by Arts Council England, the festival will feature a packed programme of events exploring everything from crime fiction and romantasy to history, creativity and contemporary culture.

The festival will welcome a range of bestselling authors and speakers, including Patrick Gale, Mark Billingham, M.J. Arlidge, John Ironmonger and Dave Haslam, alongside many other popular writers from the worlds of crime, fantasy, romance and non-fiction.

Highlights include ‘Suspense Saturday’ on Saturday, 3 October at Toll Gavel Church, Beverley, which will bring together leading crime writers Tom Hindle, Gay Marris, J.M. Hall, M.J. Arlidge, Ajay Chowdhury, Remi Kone and Mark Billingham for a day dedicated to mysteries, thrillers and page-turning crime fiction.

The festival will also host ‘Romantasy Day’ at Bridlington Spa on Sunday, 4 October, featuring authors Ellis Hunter, Rachel Greenlaw, Frances White and H.F. Askwith. The event will explore one of publishing’s fastest-growing genres, combining fantasy, romance, mythology and magic.

Other highlights include ‘Magic Between the Shelves’ at Driffield Centre on Wednesday, 7 October, where author August Bloom joins Louise Beech to discuss cosy fantasy, storytelling and the inspiration behind The Tiny Magic Bookshop.

The festival will also welcome bestselling author John Ironmonger to South Cave Library on Thursday, 8 October, where he will discuss his latest novel, The Angel of St. Piran, with local author and creative sustainability practitioner Alan Raw.

Alongside author talks, the programme includes workshops, history events, live performances and family-friendly activities taking place at venues across the East Riding.

Councillor Nick Coultish, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said: “I’m delighted to see the East Riding Festival of Words return this year. The festival brings so many esteemed local and national authors to our and is both a celebration of literature and of libraries, both of which form a key part of the rich culture of the East Riding.

“It is great to bring affordable entertainment to the East Riding, which is truly great news for lovers of the Festival of Words!”

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.festivalofwords.co.uk or call 01482 392699 during office hours.

Author: tracey