The inaugural Nottingham Book Festival will take place on Saturday, September 5, at Broadway Cinema in Nottingham, bringing together readers, writers and book lovers for a day of literary celebration. The event, which runs from 11am to 5.30pm, is free to visit, with a small charge for tickets to special speaker events and workshops.
Three top writers with local connections confirmed
The festival will feature talks from three authors with strong Nottinghamshire connections: Stephen Booth, Elizabeth Chadwick and William Ivory. In addition to these headline guests, the programme includes stalls, workshops, readings and one-to-one sessions with publishing professionals.
The event has been organised by a group of authors from across the East Midlands and is backed by the National Lottery Community Fund. Its aim is to connect readers with the many talented but lesser-known writers who live and work in the region, giving visitors the chance to purchase signed copies of their books.
Chair highlights region's literary heritage
Julie Malone, chair of the book festival, said: “It’s going to be a wonderful day for anyone who loves books, whether they are readers or writers. We are particularly pleased to have attracted three top writers who have such strong connections with Nottinghamshire in Stephen Booth, Elizabeth Chadwick and William Ivory and we hope everyone will enjoy listening to their stories.”
She added: “Maybe we will also be able to introduce visitors to their next new favourite authors among the writers who have taken stalls or agreed to give us short readings from their work. There will be practical help on hand, too, through one-to-one sessions with professionals from the world of books and publishing. Hopefully, the festival will provide something for everyone.”
Celebrating a proud literary legacy
The region has a distinguished literary history, having nurtured D H Lawrence, Alan Sillitoe, Lord Byron and Helen Cresswell, among others. Even Graham Greene and J M Barrie had links with Nottingham, having begun their journalistic careers with the Nottingham Daily Journal.
Malone noted: “Historically, this is a region which nurtured D H Lawrence, Alan Sillitoe, Lord Byron and Helen Cresswell, among others. Even Graham Greene and J M Barrie had links with Nottingham, having begun their journalistic careers with the Nottingham Daily Journal. Exceptional and inspired authors have generated this region’s prominence in the literary field. With this festival, we hope people will come to meet those who are continuing that legacy.”
Full details of the day’s events and information on how to buy tickets are available through the website nottinghambookfestival.org.
