Literature Festival of the North to welcome celebrated authors this October.
Authors including Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE, acclaimed storyteller and writer of over 150 books including War Horse, will visit the Winter Gardens this autumn in a literary celebration over the 7th & 8th October.
Word Fest. is being co-produced by the Winter Gardens team and local independent bookstore Book Bean & Ice Cream and will see celebrated authors talk about their love of writing, their books, answer questions and sign books for fans.
An abridged version of War Horse, the best-selling novel that tells the story of the first world war from the perspective of Joey a young farm horse, will be read by Michael accompanied by music and songs from the National Theatre production sung by one of the cast leads – Ben Murray who played Songman.
Sunday Times bestselling author Milly Johnson will appear in ‘a conversation with’ to talk about her well-loved stories of women and the importance of friendship and community. Milly’s latest emotional novel, Together, Again, is her 20th book and will have been released just the month before the October Word. Fest.
Saul David will host an illustrated talk about his latest book Devil Dogs, the dramatic second world war tale of American troops and the legendary first Marine Division.
Scott Mitchell, husband of much-loved English actress Dame Barbara Windsor, will appear to talk about his book By your Side, which is an honest and personal account of the life they shared for 27 years.
Barbara’s seven-year battle with the debilitating effects of dementia meant that Scott spent many hours telling her tales of their extraordinary life together. The story tells their love story, her glittering life in showbusiness and the painful true cost of dementia.
Elaine Silverwood, owner of Book Bean & Ice Cream and co-producer of Word. Fest said: “As owner of a local, independent book store I am also passionate about events that connect the author to their readers to bring to life their work.
“Word. Fest will be a weekend celebration of literature and the spoken word and will be a joy to create and deliver for readers of all ages and genres.”
More authors are still to be announced for the programme.
Tickets are available from the venue box office and online.
