Award-winning authors, well-known novelists and familiar faces in broadcasting are all set to take part in the Chipping Norton Literary Festival from April 21-24.
Douglas Stuart, whose novel Shuggie Bain won the 2020 Booker Prize, will make the Cotswold town one of his few dates in the UK during his author tour with his highly anticipated forthcoming book, Young Mungo.
Other distinguished novelists include Louis de Bernières, author of Captain Corelli’s Mandoline; Monica Ali with her first book in a decade, Love Marriage; Tessa Hadley (Free Love) and Costa Novel winner Claire Fuller (Unsettled Ground).
Fast Show star and comedy writer Charlie Higson will present his first adult thriller in 25 years.
International correspondent Lyse Doucet hopes to join in a discussion on a project close to her heart, a collection of short fiction films by Afghan women.
There’s plenty for non-fiction fans too, with BBC Today presenter Justin Webb talking about his biography The Gift of a Radio, science journalist Jim Al-Khalili describing The Joy of Science and Clover Stroud with his memoir of grief over his late beloved sister, Nell Gifford.
Medic Adam Kay, best-selling author of This is Going to Hurt – currently airing as a TV series – brings his mix of gruesome and hilarious anatomical humor to the Theater with a family event, Kay’s Marvelous Medicine.
Television historian Dominic Sandbrook will launch his new series of children’s history books, adding to a varied children’s festival filled with storytelling and creative fun.
ChipLitFest is stronger than ever on nature writing, with guests such as Dave Goulson, whose Silent Earth reflects on the decline of insect species, Charlie Corbett with 12 Birds to Save Your Life and Hannah Bourne-Taylor’s Fledgling . Visitors can attend a dazzling array of other events featuring expert writers on art, musicthe workplace, mental health, prison, disasters and comedy.
Festival director Jenny Dee said: “We are particularly proud of our fiction programming this year. But as always, there is something for everyone. We actually have Everything Under The Sun, a children’s book by real elf IQ Molly Oldfield.
Interactive sessions include a cooking slot and six writers’ workshops, one offering a chance to learn from Oxford’s Mick Herron, the author of the hugely popular Slough House spy novels.
The Chipping Norton Literary Festival runs from April 21-24. Tickets for the main events start at £8.50 (£2.50 for children).
Tickets on sale now at www.chiplitfest.com or 01608 642350