Promising to be ‘a celebration of stories, ideas and community for readers of all ages’, Stroud Book Festival returns to the town this November 2024.
Taking place from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 November 2024, its diverse programme of events hopes to challenge, inform and alter perspectives, as well as comfort and entertain audiences of all ages — spanning genres from fiction to history, politics, travel, nature and the environment.
Renowned Gloucestershire author and broadcaster Mark Cummings will host a fabulous fund-raising quiz, with all profits going to Stroud-based charity, Allsorts; while TS Eliot Prize-winning guest poet, Anthony Joseph, brings together 30 years of poetry and lyrics in a collection rich in form, voice and musicality.
Lovers of fiction can look forward to events with Kate Mosse, discussing her epic and enthralling new novel The Map of Bones which is the fourth — and final — novel of The Joubert Family Chronicles; multi-award-winning author Max Porter brings his latest book, Shy, to life in an unmissable audio and literary ‘bombardment’ focused around imagination, guilt and boyhood; and acclaimed author Rachel Joyce will discuss the power and creative possibilities of the female sibling dynamic, as well as offer an exciting sneak preview of her new novel: The Homemade God.
Headlining the 2024 children's programme is treasured author Michael Rosen sharing some of his favourite stories and poems, including his much-loved We’re Going on a Bear Hunt , illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, with the children’s classic celebrating its 35th anniversary this year; pack your colouring pens and go on an amazing imaginative journey with award-winning illustrator Nick Sharratt; and see Rhianna Pratchett — daughter of the late Sir Terry Pratchett — and Gabrielle Kent for a very special Discworld event.
Plus, stars of hugely popular BBC programme The Repair Shop, Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch — known as the show’s 'Teddy Bear Ladies' — will talk about their first children’s book, Bartie Bristle and Other Stories.
For this year’s finale, the festival will celebrate the 70th anniversary of Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, featuring the Clark Tracey Quartet, performing Clark's father, Stan Tracey's acclaimed composition — Jazz Suite Inspired by Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood.
Tickets for Stroud Book Festival's events are on sale from Friday 6 September 2024 online and in person at The Sub Rooms box office.
To see the full lineup and for further details visit stroudbookfestival.org.uk.
