6 June – 29 August 2021

essexbookfestival.org.uk 100 Events | 40 Venues | 200 Writers & Artists Reaching the parts other festivals do not reach ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL WELCOMEEVENTS INTRODUCTIONESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL EVENTS GET INVOLVED

Welcome to the 2021 Essex Book Festival Welcome to Stories on The Edge Essex Introducing the Festival Team Essex Book Festival 2021 Book Festival Pod-cast

Director Festival Intern: Youth Trustees Patrons This year’s festival is very much a voyage Keep up to speed by logging on to our Stories on Ros Green Engagement Peter Donaldson AL Kennedy of discovery. The Edge Festival Podcast. Featuring behind- Marina Cusi Sanchez Seona Ford Sylvia Kent the-scenes interviews with artists and writers, Festival Coordinator Whether that means exploring the Great Essex Pat Gaudin Dave Monk performers, storytellers, and more; out-in-the- Jo Hartle Core team volunteer Outdoors by joining one of our In My Steps: Jeremy Lucas Sarah Perry community interviews with people whose voices Advisors to the Board Aimee Leigh Vines Radical Walks in Essex, an evening with historian James MacDonald Brian Southall aren’t always heard, Essex Book Festival is thrilled Sarah Moth Alison Weir at Layer Marney Tower, or perhaps Camilla Shestopal Francis Wheen to be teaming up for the second year running with Marc De’ath another with James Canton, author of The Chelmsford Community Radio’s Young Reporters. Maja Antoine-Onikoyi Oak Papers, this year’s The Essex Read, at Tony Fisher Colchester Library. If you have a story to tell, get in touch: [email protected] With most of our June events taking place online, Essex Book Festival 2021 – Covid 19 we suggest you get yourself comfortable for our explosively entertaining digital launch event: We Need To Talk About Essex Girls, featuring Sarah Due to the rapidly changing situation at the time of print, digital format. Please do not attend an event if you have Perry, Syd Moore and Sadie Hasler. Miss this at we advise you to check the website for any changes. It symptoms of COVID-19. your peril. is aimed that all events where possible will take place Please check our website for updates on the guidelines under Covid safe settings and regulations, however, and subscribe to our newsletter to be updated. July marks the return to physical in-person if this is not possible all in person events will shift to a events. Mark the diary now for Costa Book of Essex Children’s University the Year Winner Monique Roffey at Chelmsford Library, and debut novelist, Naomi Ishiguru at – Stamp Your Passports at How To Book Your Ticket Maldon Library. Then, we also have best-selling author and barrister Alexandra Wilson who will Festival Learning Destination All booking links are shown on the website, this can Refunds be talking about her book In Black and White as direct you to the online booking platforms being used The festival cannot refund money or exchange tickets part of our Criminally Good Day. Essex Book Festival is once again partnering with except if an event is cancelled. In this event please our good friends at Essex Children’s University to deliver Essex Book Festival 2021. Please visit Ben Okri, Gavin Esler, Craig Brown, Mat Osman, return your tickets to the Box Office within 30 days to provide 5-14 year olds with exciting learning www.essexbookfestival.org.uk or where shown via Clare Fuller, Liz Trenow, Dr Hilary Jones ... the list for a full refund. experiences outside school. Once issued with a Mercury Theatre Box Office phone or in person to book goes on and on! in for the many events this year. Passport to Learning, ‘CU Learners’ collect stamps and attend a special Graduation Ceremony. Find out Most digital events are available directly through Concessions Please join us for what promises to be a cracking how to get your very own Passport to Learning at our website. We offer concessions for Students, Under 27’s, summer of books. essexchildrensuniversity.co.uk Bookings will be taken up to around 2 hours prior to the and Jobseekers. Take good care, event commencing. It is hoped that if there is capacity, All Essex Book Festival YOUNG ESSEX events are tickets will be available on the door. Ros Green CU Learning Destinations – bring your passport, Accessibility Director (Essex Book Festival) get it stamped, and enjoy your learning journey! Information of access in participating venues is posted © ‘Women of Essex ‘ - A community-made banner devised on the Essex Book Festival website. We also have a by artist Heidi Wigmore, commissioned by Artichoke for Roger Pen hearing system, so please let us know in Processions 2018, used with kind permission by partners advance if you would like to book this out by email us at: Metal Southend [email protected]

Essex Book Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of these key partners

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Events Diary

DATE EVENT LOCATION PG DATE EVENT LOCATION PG DATE EVENT LOCATION PG DATE EVENT LOCATION PG

03 Jun Re-Writing the Archive Workshop - 10 Jul James Canton: Writing the Wild Workshop Coggeshall 14 22 Aug Mat Osman: How to Start a Novel Writing 29 Aug Neil D’Arcy Jones: Scripting- Syd Moore Digital 5 Workshop Chelmsford 24 Writing Workshop Cressing Temple 29 11 Jul Story Hunters Workshop - AK Blakemore Jaywick Sands 7 06 Jun In My Steps: Radical Walks in Essex - 22 Aug Alexandra Wilson: In Black and White Chelmsford 24 29 Aug Michelle Durant: Make-Your-Own Radical Marshes Wat Tyler Country with 14 Jul James Canton: The Oak Papers Colchester 18 Podcast Workshop Cressing Temple 29 Tom King Pitsea 13 22 Aug Mat Osman: The Ruins Chelmsford 25 14 Jul Monique Roffey: The Mermaid of 29 Aug Global Village: Essex Cultural 06 Jun Festival Launch “We Need To Talk About Black Conch Chelmsford 18 24 Aug Elizabeth Haynes: You, Me & The Sea Witham 25 Diversity Project Cressing Temple 30 Essex Girls” - Sarah Perry, Syd Moore, Sadie Hasler, Ros Green Digital 6 15 Jul Library Love Letters Digital 12 26 Aug Alison Weir: Katharine Parr The Sixth Wife Layer Marney 25 06 Jun Index on Censorship Panel Discussion – 15 Jul David Omand: How Spies Think Shenfield 19 29 Aug Essex Book Camp: The Natural World Cressing Temple 26 Poland Today: Women, Censorship and 17 Jul In My Steps: Radical Walks in Essex - 29 Aug Scallywag Books Children’s Workshops Human Rights - Sylwia Chutnik, Agnieszka Mountaineers of Essex Expedition 001 YOUNG ESSEX Cressing Temple 27 Dale and Leah Cross Digital 6 with Hartle O’Hare Canvey 15 Our Hubs 29 Aug Glenys Newton in conversation with 08 Jun Gavin Esler in conversation with Professor 18 Jul Story Hunters Workshop - Glenys Newton John Tarrow: Building Imaginary Worlds Cressing Temple 28 LAUNCH EVENT Lorna Fox O’Mahony: How Britain Ends Digital 16 and Majid Akin Hadleigh 7 29 Aug Georgina Harding: Harvest Cressing Temple 28 10 Jun Craig Brown in conversation with Tony 21 Jul Tom King: Thames Estuary Trail - A Journey DIGITAL Fisher: 1,2,3,4 The Beatles in Time Digital 16 Round the End of The World Tilbury 19 29 Aug Dr Hilary Jones: Frontline Cressing Temple 28 YOUNG ESSEX 10 Jun Masked - Launch/Virtual Opening Night Digital 16 01 Aug In My Steps: Radical Walks in Essex - 29 Aug Josie Doms: Animalympics Workshop YOUNG ESSEX Cressing Temple 29 WALKS 11 Jun Meet The Writers – Sutton Manor Digital 10 No Matter How Many Skies Have Fallen with Ken Worpole Wivenhoe 15 12 Jun In My Steps: Radical Walks in Essex - Witch Trail in Manningtree and Mistley 04 Aug Claire Fuller: Unsettled Ground Brentwood 19 with Syd Moore Manningtree 13 04 Aug Louise Hare: This Lovely City Grays 19 THU 03 JUN, 6.30PM – 8.30PM WORKSHOP 13 Jun In My Steps - Radical Walks - Riots and 05 Aug A K Blakemore: The Manningtree Witches Wickford 20 Rebellions in Colchester with Dorian Kelly Colchester 14 Rewriting The Archive Workshops DIGITAL 07 Aug Makaton Workshop – YOUNG ESSEX Chelmsford 20 13 Jun SWS Publishing: Self Editing and Essex Book Festival has joined forces with three of Self-Publishing Workshop Digital 16 10 Aug Sally Gardner and Lydia Corey: the county’s museums on an exciting new writing Join writer, activist and founding member of Essex The Tindims of Rubbish Island Old Harlow 20 15 Jun Fens, Forest and Fields: Ken Worpole Digital 11 project: Rewriting the Archive. Girls Liberation Front Syd Moore as she explores 10 Aug Jacqson Diego Introduces – Vampirates the collection at Thurrock Museum with a special 17 Jun Fens, Forest and Fields Bike Ride: Three writers and artists, assisted by curators with Justin Somper Digital 11 focus on working women. Ken Worpole Rainham 11 based at each of the participating museums, have 11 Aug Christine Penhall: The House That selected ten objects each from the county’s Tickets: £5 17 Jun Re-Writing the Archive Workshop Alice Built Clacton 21 - Delaine Le Bas Digital 5 Box Office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk 12 Aug Naomi Ishiguro: Common Ground Maldon 21 (Places are limited – book early 19 Jun Re-Writing the Archive Workshop These objects will form the basis of three to avoid disappointment) - Agnieszka Dale Digital 5 18 Aug Poetry in Lockdown Chelmsford 21 two-hourheritage collections online workshops. that tell difficult ‘stories’. 26 Jun SHE HEALS - Lily Hunter Green and The 18 Aug Abigail Dean: Girl A South Woodham Essex Steamettes Southend 17 Ferrers 22 27 Jun Story Hunters Workshop - Jonathan Crane Danbury 7 19 Aug Tammy Huf: A More Perfect Union Halstead 22 01 Jul Creative Journaling Workshop Digital 11 21 Aug In My Steps: Radical Walks in Essex - Excellent Essex, Destination St Peter’s 01 JUL Liz Trenow: The Secrets of The Lake Billericay 17 with Gillian Darley Bradwell-On-Sea 15 SAT 19 JUN, 11.00AM – 1.00PM WORKSHOP THU 17 JUN, TIME 6.30PM – 8.30PM 02 Jul Ben Okri in conversation with Dr Jak Peake: 21 Aug Iain Dale: Why Can’t We All Just Get Along Chelmsford 22 WORKSHOP DIGITAL A Fire In My Head Digital 17 DIGITAL

22 Aug Samantha Lee Howe: The House of Killers Chelmsford 23 03 Jul Story Hunters Workshop - Agnieszka Dale Cressing Temple 7 Join UK-based Polish writer Agnieszka Dale as she Join Delaine Le Bas, British Multi-Media Artist as 22 Aug Alec Marsh: Period Writing Workshop Chelmsford 23 03 Jul Marina Warner and Sophie Herxhiemer: explores the Outsider’s experience using objects she explores life from a British Romany perspective Inventory of a Life Mislaid – Essex Writers 22 Aug Frances Fyfield, Nigel Simeone, Geraldine using objects and archival material based within House Southend /Hybrid 9 from Harlow Museum’s collection. Perriam: Patricia Highsmith Centenary Southend Museum’s collection. Panel Chelmsford 23 04 Jul Walk, Swim, Write Session - Daniel Kramb Southend 11 Tickets: £5 Tickets: £5 22 Aug Samantha Lee Howe: Character Driven Box Office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk 08 Jul Patrick Vernon: 100 Great Black Britons Basildon 18 Action in Suspense and Thriller Workshop Chelmsford 24 (Places are limited – book early Box Office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk (Places are limited – book early 10 Jul In My Steps - Radical Walks in Essex - 22 Aug Barry Forshaw Dorothy L Sayers Lecture: to avoid disappointment) Honywood Oak and The Roundheads with Crime Fiction – A Reader’s Guide Chelmsford 24 to avoid disappointment) James Canton Coggeshall 14

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SUN 06 JUN, 2.30PM DIGITAL NON-FICTION IN CONVERSATION SUN 18 JUL, 2.00PM WORKSHOP The Story Hunters Flash Sarah Perry, Syd Moore and Sadie Hasler Fiction Competition Majid Adin and Glenys Newton We Need To Talk About Essex Girls As the story goes, Ernest Hemingway won a bet by Workshop Leaders Join us for the Launch event of the 2021 festival with the amazing Women of writing a short story that was only six words long: Join Iranian Artist/Animator/Writer Majid Adin, Essex: Sarah Perry, Patron of Essex Book festival, Syd Moore, Writer, Co- “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Essex Book founder of the Essex Girls Liberation Front, Sadie Hasler, Playwright, Journalist Festival and Explore Essex challenge you to do the Rocket Man, and Award-winning Storyteller/Writer and Director of Old Trunk Theatre Company, and honorary Essex Girl, Festival same. Glenyscreator Newton of the official on a tour music of Hadleigh video for CountryElton John’s Park, Director Ros Green, who will be discussing what it means to be an Essex Girl: followed by 2-hour Animation/Writing Workshop. the jokes, the misconceptions, and the strengths and growing movements that between 50-250 words based on a visit to 1 of 20 Suitable 14+ are starting to challenge these preconceptions. designatedYou are invited Essex to heritagewrite a piece sites ofor fiction Green Spaces.or a poem Venue: Hadleigh Country Park Expect straight talking, honesty, laughter and feisty comments. Once you have submitted your story, it will be posted on our Story Hunter Digital Map and entered Tickets: £20 / £15 concession Venue: Digital into our Story Hunters Flash Fiction Competition. Box office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Tickets: £8 / Pay What You Can Winning entries will be announced at our Festival Box office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Finale at Cressing Temple Barns on 29th August.

For more information about the twenty SUN 06 JUN, 4.00PM DIGITAL NON-FICTION IN CONVERSATION destinations, and how to enter the competition, go to https://essexbookfestival.org.uk/the-story- SUN 11 JUL, TIME TBC WORKSHOP hunters/ Sylwia Chutnik, Agnieszka Dale and Leah Cross Poland Today: Women, Censorship and Human Rights A.K. Blakemore The times we live in offer no escape from politics and the rights of women and The Story Hunters Project Creative Workshop Leader LGBTQ+ people in Poland have been rapidly deteriorating under the current Writing Workshops Join novelist AK Blakemore, author of The right-wing, populist government. Continued attacks and attempts to curb Manningtree Witches, on a tour of Jaywick Martello rights and freedoms – such as a near-total ban on abortion and local authorities In tandem with our Story Hunters Flash Fiction Tower, followed by a 2-hour Writing the Place proclaiming “LGBTQ+-free zones” – have resulted in protests, marches and Competition we are hosting a series of four writing Workshop. Suitable 14+ arrests of those who are being silenced and marginalised. workshops in four of the designated Story Hunter But how has this upheaval impacted literature? Has there been an artistic sites: Jaywick Martello Tower, Cressing Temple Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower response? In this event, Polish-born, London-based writer Agnieszka Dale and Barns, Danbury Park, and Hadleigh County Park. Tickets: £20 / £15 concession Warsaw-based Sylwia Chutnik will discuss the current climate in Poland, and Each writing workshop will include a guided tour Box office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk trace back some of the intricate connections between Poland and Essex as of the site. There are limited spaces so get a hub of dissidence and activism. booking now. Chaired by Index on Censorship.

Venue: Digital Tickets: £8 / Pay What You Can SUN 27 JUN, 2.00PM WORKSHOP SAT 03 JUL, 11.00AM WORKSHOP Box office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Jonathan Crane Agnieszka Dale Workshop Leader Workshop Leader

Join novelist and lecturer Jonathan Crane, author Join UK-based polish writer Agnieszka Dale, author of We Need To Talk, on a tour of Danbury Country of The Fox Season, on a tour of Cressing Temple Park, followed by a 2-hour Flash Fiction Writing Barns, followed by a 2-hour Writing Short Fiction Workshop. Suitable 14+ Workshop. Suitable 14+

Venue: Danbury Country Park Venue: Cressing Temple Barns Tickets: £20 / £15 concession Tickets: £20 / £15 concession Box office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Box office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

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WED – SUN, 22 MAY – 29 AUG, 12.00 – 7.00PM ESSEX WRITERS HOUSE Essex Writers House 2021 June – August 2021 Cafe Valise Enjoy a cuppa at Metal’s pop-up Cafe Valise on the veranda of the grade II listed Essex Writers House pop-up festival in partnership with Essex Chalkwell Hall and be inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Chalkwell Book Festival is back for 2021. We are bringing you a range of Park whilst you write your novel, do your homework or share your ideas. From inspiring online and uplifting outdoor events with opportunities Voltaire to Hemingway and Sue Townsend to JK Rowling, writers have a long to raise the spirits and reconnect through writing and words. tradition of writing and observing life from cafés and bars. Essex Writers House is an opportunity to meet new people, share ideas, get inspired and explore the power of creative writing on the road to recovery. Events are for anyone interested in writing – from those who are just starting out, to established authors. SAT 03 JULY, 7.00 – 8.00PM DIGITAL IN CONVERSATION ESSEX WRITERS HOUSE

Info via: www.essexwritershouse.com Marina Warner and Sophie Herxheimer with Festival Director Ros Green Inventory of a Life Mislaid - An unreliable Memoir

Inventory Of A Life Mislaid follows Marina Warner’s beautiful, penniless young mother Ilia as she leaves southern Italy in 1945 to travel alone to London. Her husband, an English colonel is still away, in the war in the East as she begins to JUL – AUG, WED – SAT 10.30AM – 5.30PM MONTH OF JUNE 2021 FOR WRITERS learn how to be Mrs Esmond Warner, an Englishwoman. Marina Warner FOR WRITERS ESSEX WRITERS HOUSE ESSEX WRITERS HOUSE include novels and short stories as well as studies of art, myths, symbols and fairy stories.is a writer of fiction, criticism and history; her works Writers’ Hotdesks Essex Writers House Sophie Herxheimer is an award-winning artist and poet whose paper-cut Remote Residency Essex Writers House Hot Desks are back by popular vignettes are featured throughout Inventory of a Life Mislaid. demand and with additional slots and social Essex Writers House in partnership with English Venue: Digital distancing protocols. Two free hot desks will be Pen as part of their centenary celebrations, have Tickets: £8 / Pay What You Can available each day at Chalkwell Hall, with inspiring created a remote residency opportunity for one Ticket Info: www.essexwritershouse.com © Dan Welldon Thames Estuary views. writer based in Essex to create a new piece of writing that will be shared at the end of the month across Essex Writers House, Essex Book Festival and other platforms. Be sure to follow their journey. Find out more at www.essexwritershouse.com

16 – 20 AUGUST FOR WRITERS DIGITAL LAB ESSEX WRITERS HOUSE

Essex Rebels: Emerging Writers’ Open Call

OPEN CALL Deadline: 25 June 2021 In partnership with English Pen as part of their centenary celebrations and as part of Essex Writers House 2021, ten young writers are invited to join this week-long online writing LAB inspired by protest & freedom of expression. This remote writing LAB is designed for emerging & early career writers aged 18 - 25 years based in Essex working in any genre.

Tickets: Free - emerging writers receive a fee of £200 to attend the LAB Ticket Info: www.essexwritershouse.com

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22 MAY – 13 JUN 2021 TUE 15 JUN, 7.00 – 8.00PM DIGITAL

Estuary 2021 Ken Worpole Fens, Forests & Fields

Essex Writers House and Essex Book Festival are delighted to be partnering Fens, Forests and Fields is an astonishing new book about a landscape in Essex with Estuary 2021 on the following projects and events. that time forgot: The Land of the Fanns - www.landofthefanns.org. In this talk, one of its authors, Ken Worpole, will discuss what he discovered on his

Essex that has created this liminal landscape. Tom King Thames Estuary Trail: a walk round the end journeys through ‘the Fanns’, exploring the ebb and flow between London and of the world Ken Worpole is a renowned author and social historian. His many books include 350 Miles: An Essex Journey (2005) & The New English Landscape (2013). Tom King is the Essex Book Festival 2021 Writer-in-Residence in the Essex His most recent book is No Matter How Many Skies Have Fallen: Back to the land Writers House. The second edition of his book, released at the end of May in wartime Britain (2021). includes a new introduction and additional chapters that extend and update the Ticket Info: www.essexwritershouse.com walk to create 107 miles of estuary landscape and adventures to discover.

Tom will be leading walks and talks around his adventures so be sure to check out more information at www.estuaryfestival.com

Sutton Manor: New Writing on a Hidden History THUR 17 JUN, 10.30AM OUTSIDE

Sutton Manor is one of the oldest houses in Southend. It sits, just out of Fens, Forests & Fields: Bike Ride reach behind a perimeter fence for the MOD and little is known about this architectural gem. Estuary 2021 in partnership with Essex Book Festival, has Join Ken Worpole on a gentle cycle across ‘the Fanns’, exploring hidden gems commissioned four contemporary writers, Amina Atiq, Season Butler, Alison and local stories that uncover the history of this unique landscape. Moore and Martha Pailing to create new work in response to this intriguing estuary site and history. StartingTicket Info: and www.essexwritershouse.com finishing in Rainham, a maximum of 12 miles. FRI 11 JUN, 7.30 – 9.30PM DIGITAL THU 01 JUL, 6.30 – 8.30PM DIGITAL Meet the Writers – Sutton Manor Creative Journalling Workshop Hosted by curator Gareth Evans, this online event brings together Amina Atiq, Season Butler, Alison Moore and Martha Pailing to read from their work, Inspired by the beautiful journals created by people living along both sides discuss their approaches to the commission and share their impressions of the of the Estuary as part of ‘The Water Replies’ project, this workshop will take distant and removed Sutton Manor. It will be hosted from our Live Programme you on a journey exploring the art of journaling through creative wellbeing page on www.estuaryfestival.com exercises and fast-paced poetry. This workshop is open to complete beginners and seasoned journalers, offering a fun, relaxed and supportive online session. With time for journal sharing and chatting too!

Ticket Info: www.essexwritershouse.com

SUN 04 JUL, 11.00AM – 3.00PM OUTSIDE

Walk, Wade, Write Session - Little Estuaries Walk, swim (optional), workshop Join Southend writer Daniel Kramb, for a walk by the beach and a swim, followed by a haiku inspired poetry writing session in Chalkwell Park.

Tickets: Free Ticket Info: www.essexwritershouse.com

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THUR 15 JUL, 7.00 – 8.00PM DIGITAL 26 JUN – 01 AUG 2021 OUTSIDE In My Steps – Radical Walks in Library Love Letters Essex Series Beach of Dreams, 500 Miles 500 People 500 Dreams 500 Silks “The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library” - Albert Einstein Whether you fancy a spot of unexpected mountaineering on Canvey Island, following A collaborative 500-mile walk Do you love libraries? Join this celebration of our libraries and hear some amazing stories & anecdotes in the footsteps of John Ball in Colchester, from Lowestoft to Tilbury from our library teams and listen to people including Essex writers read love letters of gratitude to them. bunkering down with the Roundheads on Marks Beach of Dreams is an epic journey to discover the Tickets: Free Hall Estate, or keeping time with the Essex Witches between Mistley and Manningtree, our hidden gems of the East Coast of England, inviting Ticket Info: http://www.metalculture.com/projects/essexwritershouse/ series of eight artist-led In My Steps: Radical collaboration from communities and artists along Walks in Essex is guaranteed to cast a completely the way in Suffolk, Essex, Southend, and Thurrock. SATURDAYS, JUL & AUG, 2.00PM OPEN MIC new light on the county. Kinetika’s Artistic Director, Ali Pretty, and Guardian journalist Kevin Rushby are walking the Park Reads entire route, joined by artists, writers, scientists, and local residents.Together, guided by strong There will be an opportunity for people to read, share and perform short works environmental themes and the challenges of our on our veranda at Cafe Valise. Open to anyone who wants to try something out current time, they will consider the question “How in an informal setting. can we creatively reimagine our future?”

Ticket Info: http://www.metalculture.com/projects/essexwritershouse/ More info: http://beachofdreams.co.uk

TUE 10 AUG, 4.00PM YOUNG ESSEX

Justin Somper Jacqson Diego Introduces - Vampirates Online Author event for 8 – 12 years and their families. We are so excited to be joined by author Justin Somper for his thoughts on this exhilarating series of SUN 06 JUN, 11.00AM – 2.00PM OUTSIDE SAT 12 JUN, 12.00PM OUTSIDE books, beloved by everyone who has read them. First published in 2005, the Vampirates were instant international bestsellers, this white-knuckle series is ready for a new generation of young readers. Tom King In My Steps – The Radical Syd Moore In My Steps: Radical Marshes Wat Tyler Country Walks in Essex – The Witches Trail Tickets: £10 including a signed copy of Vampirates: Demon of the Seas/£42 from Manningtree to Mistley Ticket available to include all 6 Books in series Meet: Watt Tyler Country Park Length: 3 Hours Ticket Info: http://www.metalculture.com/projects/essexwritershouse/ Difficulty: Flat terrain but mixture of footing Meet: Manningtree Length: 1.5 miles Difficulty: Flat terrain Find out more at www.essexwritershouse.co.uk Tom King has an unsurpassed knowledge and passion for walking the Thames Estuary coastline. #EssexWritersHouse @MetalSouthend Syd Moore leads a guided walk around Mistley On this outing Tom takes us across the radical and Manningtree, the setting for one of the biggest marshes into Wat Tyler country, leading us to where witch hysteria’s the county has ever seen, and The Peasants Revolt began, through the lowlands which are mentioned in several of her books. The and across the marshes to the White Lion Pub in Fobbing (which is thought to be haunted and their motivations, and a commemoration by previous occupants) for some respite. towalk some promises of the women a discussion who lost about their witchfinders lives.

Tickets: £8 / £5 Tickets: £8 / £5 Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, Box office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

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SUN 13 JUN, 12.00PM OUTSIDE SAT 17 JUL, 11.00AM OUTSIDE

Dorian Kelly In My Steps: Radical Walks in Essex – Hartle O’Hare In My Steps: Radical Walks in Essex – Protests, Riots and Rebellions in Colchester Mountaineers of Essex Summit 001 Meet: Central Colchester Length: 2 hours Difficulty: Flat terrain Meet: Benfleet/ Canvey Borders Length: 7 miles/1.5 miles Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Colchester has always been an epicentre of radicalism: from John Ball’s Did you know Essex has 28 mountains? Join husband and wife artist team Peasants Revolt to The modern Poll Tax riots: and from the three day battle Canvey Heights, a man-made mountain with expansive views out towards the the one-boy battle against caning. Join Dorian Kelly as he takes you in his mouthHartle O’Hareof the Thames on their Estuary first summit and across expedition to Kent. of theMuse Mountaineers upon the marvellous of Essex: of St Botolphs to the Siege: the fight for margarine in Long Wyre Street and inimitable combination of stories, poetry and street theatre on a covid-safe vistas, discuss perception and the effect on the emotions of place, experience constitutional cabinet of curiosities through the town centre. Canvey Island from its constructed giddy heights. Like life, it could be that the Tickets: £8 / £5 journey is more important than the destination. Hartle O’Hare are recruiting their expedition team now, 1 down, 27 to go.... Box office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Tickets: £8 / £5 SAT 10 JUL, 11.00AM OUTSIDE Box office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

James Canton Ancient Oaks and The Roundheads SUN 01 AUG, 10.30AM OUTSIDE

Meet: Marks Hall Estate, Coggeshall Length: Approx. 1 hour Difficulty: Easy pace Ken Worpole In My Steps: Radical Walks in Essex – Trees operate at a different pace to humans. When the Honywood Oak was No Matter How Many Skies Have Fallen: a rural a mere sapling, the Magna Carta was signed. 400 years on Parliamentarian community in time of war soldiers gathered beneath its boughs before marching to join the siege of Colchester in 1648. Join James Canton, author of The Oak Papers, under the Meet: Wivenhoe Station Length: 4 miles Difficulty: Easy to Moderate book’s massive chief protagonist, the Honywood Oak, before exploring the fascinating grounds of Marks Hall Estate in Coggeshall. Join writer Ken Worpole in a walk from Wivenhoe Station to Frating Hall Farm, the subject of his new book, No Matter How Many Skies Have Fallen. This tells Tickets: Walk £8 / £5 Box office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk somethe story of those of how who a group grew upof Christianthere will socialists recall those and heady pacifists days. took over the farm in 1942 and created a thriving community. The walk finishes at the farm, where SAT 10 JUL, 2.00PM WRITING WORKSHOP For those unable to make their own arrangements, transport back to Wivenhoe will be provided.

James Canton Writing the Wild Tickets: £8 / £5 Box office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk James Canton is a writer and lecturer who has written widely in creative non-

SAT 21 AUG, 11.00AM – 3.00PM OUTSIDE since its inception in 2009, exploring the fascinating ties between the literature andfiction landscape forms and of Easttaught Anglia. on the Join MA James in Wild for Writing a workshop at the which University delves of into Essex the nature that exists in the cracks between our human constructs, in the wilds Gillian Darley In My Steps: Radical Walks in Essex – just a few feet from our doors. Destination St Peters

Venue: Marks Hall Estate, Coggeshall, CO6 1TG Meet: Tillingham Length: 8 miles or 1.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate/ Easy Tickets: £20 including Radical Walk + Writing the Wild Workshop Box office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Author of Excellent Essex, Gillian Darley’s walk offers a day’s immersion in the strange, remote Dengie peninsula, with a very compelling destination: the tiny 7th century church of St Peter-on-the-Wall which sits on the foundations of Othona Roman fort. Salt marshes, cockle beds, birds and ships combine to make up the landscape, but it’s the resonance of history that will make the day memorable.

Tickets: £8 / £5 Box office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

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TUE 08 JUN, 7.00PM NON-FICTION THU 10 JUN, 7.30 – 8.30PM NON-FICTION SAT 26 JUN, 12.00 – 5.00PM EXHIBITION DIGITAL AUTHOR TALK DIGITAL AUTHOR TALK Lily Hunter Green with Essex Steamettes SHE HEALS Gavin Esler How Britain Ends Craig Brown Digital Artist and Composer Lily Hunter Green collaborates with Essex 1,2,3,4: The Beatles In Time Award-winning TV and Radio presenter, Scottish Steamettes, a group of young female coders (9-19 years), and computer scientist Karun Matharu, to create an exciting new work SHE HEALS. An novelist and Journalist Gavin Esler will be From the bestselling author of Ma’am Darling immersive digital Sci-Art hive populated by LED drone bees, SHE HEALS tells discussing his latest book How Britain Ends to comes a kaleidoscopic mixture of history, the mesmerizing story of how female honeybees work as a collective to protect Professor Lorna Fox O’ Mahony. Essential reading etymology, diaries, autobiography, fan letters, their community from viral attacks. for anyone interested in how the UK has become so essays, parallel lives, party lists, charts, interviews, fractured, and how it might be put back together. announcements and stories. SHE HEALS has evolved out of Lily Hunter Green’s previous work Silencing The Virus, a Chelmsford City Council and Essex Book Festival commission This is a partnership event with the University Best known for his parodies in Private Eye, critic (2018-2019). of Essex. and satirist Craig Brown’s One Two Three Four: The More information to follow regarding additional workshops and Venue: Digital Beatles In Time, Winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction 2020, joyfully echoes the frenetic screenings: www.lilyhuntergreen.com Tickets: £10 / £5 hurly-burly of an era. Box Office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Venue: Old Waterworks, Southend-on-Sea, SS0 7AB Venue: Digital Tickets: Free Tickets: £10 / £5 Box Office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk THU 01 JUL, 7.00PM FICTION

Liz Trenow The Secrets of the Lake

Liz Trenow, bestselling author of In Love and War and Under a Wartime Sky, returns to her East Anglian roots for her latest novel The Secrets of the Lake. Inspired by the intriguing legend of a dragon said to live in a supposedly bottomless lake on the Essex/Suffolk border, it is a coming of age story with a tragic mystery at its heart. The traumas of two world wars reverberate through a rural village, rocking the community and threatening the innocence THU 10 JUNE, 7.30PM DIGITAL THEATRE SUN 13 JUN,11.00AM – 1.00PM DIGITAL of a new generation. WRITING WORKSHOP Nicola Werenowska MASKED Venue: Billericay Library, 143 High Street, Billericay, CM12 9AB Tickets: £7 / £5 MASKED explores undiagnosed female Maddy Glenn and SWS Publishing Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk neurodivergency through the lives of three women. Successful Self-Editing and Routes What happens when you know you’re the weird girl? to Self-Publishing The one no one wants to play with. The one who can’t FRI 02 JUL, 7.30PM NON-FICTION POETRY DIGITAL hold down a job. How do you hide who you are? And Why is it important to self-edit your manuscript what happens when you can’t hide it anymore? and how should you do it? What are the advantages Ben Okri A Fire in My Head Written by award winning Essex writer, Nicola of self-publishing your book, and what do you Werenowska and directed by Jeni Draper. need to be aware of if you’re looking to collaborate Nigerian poet, novelist, short-story writer and playwright Ben Okri, will be with a professional or publishing business? The theatre screening will be followed by a live discussing his latest collection of poems A Fire in My Head with Dr Jak Peake. A panel discussion with writer, cast and creative Find the answers to these questions in this Zoom powerful testament to today, the collection covers topics as far reaching as the team plus an audience Q&A. workshop with author and editor, Maddy Glenn. refugee crisis, Obama, Grenfell Tower, and the impact of Covid-19. Venue: Digital This is a partnership event with the University of Essex. Venue: Digital Tickets: £5 Tickets: Free (Booking Essential) Venue: Digital Box Office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Box Office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Tickets: £10 / £5 Box Office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

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THU 08 JUL, 7.00PM NON-FICTION THU 15 JUL, 7.00PM NON-FICTION WED 21 JUL, 7.00PM NON-FICTION

Patrick Vernon 100 Great Black Britons David Omand How Spies Think: Tom King Thames Estuary Trail – Ten Lessons in Intelligence A Journey Round the End of the A pivotal investigation into the role Black Britons have played in the island’s World The Second Edition history over the past thousand years, that brings many unjustly neglected Recounting the lessons learned from a career at the very top of the espionage tree, former GCHQ Writer Tom King will be discussing the new edition Britons campaign founded and run by Patrick Vernon OBE. In the wake of director David Omand demonstrates how the of his now legendary book Thames Estuary Trail, figures vividly to life. This book is in collaboration with the 100 Great Black the 2018 Windrush scandal, and against the backdrop of Brexit, the rise of techniques employed by spies can prove hugely replete with new chapters and adventures. right-wing populism and the continuing inequality faced by black communities across the UK, the need for this campaign is greater than ever. Join us for what is sure to be an educating and illuminating night full of Tom’s many musings along methodologybeneficial when used tackling by the crises British in intelligence everyday Venue: The Basildon Centre, St. Martin’s Square, Basildon, SS14 1EE the trail! agencieslife. Join Davidto reach at Shenfieldjudgements, Library establish to learn the theright Tickets: £7 / £5 Venue: East Tilbury Library, Princess Avenue, Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk “An invaluable guide to avoiding self-deception East Tilbury, RM18 8ST level of confidence and act decisively. and fake news” - Melanie Phillips, The Times Tickets: £7 / £5 WED 14 JUL, 7.30PM NON-FICTION Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, Venue: Shenfield Library, Hutton Road, Brentwood, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk CM15 8NJ James Canton The Oak Papers Tickets: £7 / £5 The Essex Read 2021 Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk James Canton spent two years sitting with and studying the ancient Honywood Oak. A colossus of a tree, it would have been a sapling when the Magna Carta was signed. Blending personal experience with cultural legacy, The Oak Papers is a meditative and healing book about the lessons we can learn from the natural world, if only we slow down enough to listen. WED 04 AUG, 7.00PM FICTION Venue: Colchester Library, Trinity Square, Colchester, CO1 1JB Tickets: £7 / £5 Claire Fuller Unsettled Ground Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk What if the life you’ve always known is taken from WED 04 AUG, 7.00PM FICTION you in an instant? What would you do to get it WED 14 JUL, 7.00PM FICTION back? Claire Fuller returns with her fourth novel, a Louise Hare This Lovely City tale of a dysfunctional family hiding dark secrets. Monique Roffey The Mermaid of Black Conch is a heart-stopping novel of Observer Top 10 Debut Novelist 2020, Louise Hare, Unsettled Ground betrayal and resilience, love and survival. It is **Overall Winner of the Costa Book of the Year 2020** will be discussing her debut novel This Lovely City, a portrait of life on the fringes of society that a poignant, conversation-starting story set around Set on an imaginary Caribbean island, this tantalising tale of disruption explores with dazzling emotional power how we Brixton’s Windrush community in London in the brought about by a beautiful stranger marries mythical elements with the can build our lives on broken foundations, and spin aftermath of the Second World War. Beautiful and piercing realism of everyday life. Themes of unconditional love, friendship, light from darkness. features on soaring, this heart-breaking yet hopeful debut Unsettled Ground family and loss, are examined without sentimentality. Join us at Chelmsford the Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist. Library to hear Monique talk about her latest mesmerising novel. explores themes of race, poverty and community. Venue: Brentwood Library, New Road, Brentwood, Venue: Grays Library, Orsett Road, Grays, RM17 5DX Venue: Chelmsford Library, County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1QH CM14 4BP Tickets: £7 / £5 Tickets: £7 / £5 Tickets: £7 / £5 Box office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Box office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

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THU 05 AUG, 7.30PM FICTION WED 11 AUG, 7.30PM FICTION

A.K. Blakemore The Manningtree Witches Christine Penhall The House That Alice Built Fear and destruction take root in the lives of the women of Manningtree when A heart-warming summer read set in Portugal. Home is where the heart is. Alice Mathews is very much a homebody until a postcard from her ex turns Blakemore gives a striking account of the everyday mechanics of misogyny, powerthe Witchfinder and privilege—and General comes a masterfully to town in crafted, this dark ferociously and thrilling compelling debut. A.K story. It is a visceral, thrilling book that announces a bold new talent. andher liferediscovering upside down. her She artistic finds talents. herself Buton the perhaps coast inthe Portugal most important ‘going with part the of theflow’. lesson A lesson for Alice that seesis that her you cat-sitting, don’t always paddle need boarding, a house todancing be at home. on top of bars Venue: Wickford Library, Market Road, Wickford, SS12 0AG Tickets: £7 / £5 Venue: Clacton Library, Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1SF Box office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Tickets: £7 / £5 Box office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

SAT 07 AUG, TIME TBC YOUNG ESSEX WORKSHOP THU 12 AUG, 7.00PM FICTION

Makaton Workshops Naomi Ishiguro Common Ground Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. Did you ever have a friend who made you see the world differently? Join Ace Music Therapy CIC for a fun and interactive sessions. It is suitable for From the acclaimed author of the story collection Escape Routes comes under 5’s and their parents. a timely, bittersweet and beautifully observed coming of age story about

You will learn to sign along to popular children’s stories and well-known divided world. nursery rhymes, with Makaton signs. It will be a great opportunity for you a friendship that defines two lives, and about the value of loyalty in a to introduce live music making, singing and signing to your little ones. **An Evening Standard Must Read for 2021** Two workshops will be available at 10am and 12pm. Venue: Maldon Library, Carmelite House, White Horse Lane, Maldon, CM9 5FW Tickets: £7 / £5 Venue: County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1QH. Box office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Tickets: Tickets are sold in households of up to 4 people and are £10 per group inline with Covid Secure Guidance. Box office: Tickets are available via the Mercury Theatre Telephone Booking Line 01206 WED 18 AUG, 3.00PM POETRY 573948, more information on www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Poetry in Lockdown in HMP/YOI Chelmsford TUE 10 AUG, 2.00PM YOUNG ESSEX WORKSHOP During the lockdown in 2020 prisoners at HMP/YOI Chelmsford were invited

Sally Gardner and Lydia Corry faced. The project was a great success with over 70 wonderful entries. The Tindims of Rubbish Island Toto writeensure poems the project about tohow be lockdown inclusive tomade all, thethem project feel and was the opened difficulties out to theythose who prefer to express themselves creatively with drawings representing ‘hope’ Turn rubbish into treasure with the tiny Tindims. Mother and daughter duo, and a further 90 fantastic entries were received. prize-winning Sally Gardner and Lydia Corry, team up to create a fun and funny cast of characters and adventures in their empowering new series for 5-8 year The poems have now been made into a short book. Join us at this free drop in olds inspiring conservation and inventive ways to recycle. Printed in dyslexia- friendly font with pictures on every page and perfect for the reluctant reader, the artwork created during a challenging period. event to launch this inspiring and reflective collection of poems and see some of the Tindims show keen young ecologists how to help protect our planet for Venue: Chelmsford Library, County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1QH the future. Tickets: Free Venue: Old Harlow Library, 30 High Street, Old Harlow, CM17 0DW Tickets: Tickets are sold in households of up to 4 people and are £10 per group inline with Covid Secure Guidance Box office: Tickets can be purchased in advance from Great Parndon Library in person, more information on www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

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WED 18 AUG, 7.00PM FICTION SUN 22 AUG, 11.00AM ONWARDS FICTION

Abigail Dean Girl A A Criminally Good Day The Sunday Times best seller, an astonishing new crime thriller debut novel Join us for our inaugural Criminally Good Day in Chelmsford Theatres. Whether you fancy honing your crime writing skills with Samantha Lee Howe, She thought she had escaped her past. But there are some things you can’t outrun. celebrating Patricia Highsmith’s centenary with our team of Golden Age Followingfrom the biggest the news literary that their fiction abusive voice ofmother 2021. has died in prison, Lex and her experts, listening to musician-turned-writer Mat Osman (Suede) talk about his siblings must face the horrors of their past once more in this arresting debut debut novel The Ruins, mark your diary now. . that is both a page-turning thriller and a searing portrait of survival. Venue: Cramphorn Studio, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG Venue: South Woodham Ferrers Library, Trinity Square, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5JU SUN 22 AUG, 11.00AM FICTION Tickets: £7 / £5 Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Samantha Lee Howe The House of Killers Samantha Lee Howe began her professional writing career predominantly THU 19 AUG, 7.15PM FICTION writing horror and fantasy under the pen name Sam Stone. To date, Samantha has written 20 novels, 3 novellas, 3 collections, over 40 short Tammye Huf A More Perfect Union stories, an audio drama and a ‘Doctor Who’ spin-off drama that went to DVD. Samantha will be discussing her success with The Stranger in Our Bed (2020) This extraordinary debut novel heralds the arrival of an exciting new voice and her latest spy thriller series The House of Killers (2021). in Black women’s writing. It is an interracial love story set in pre-Civil War America, and inspired by the true story of author Tammye’s great-great Venue: Cramphorn Studio, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG grandparents. Along with love and race, it touches on themes of identity, Tickets: £8 / £6 Box office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk **BBC Radio 2 Book Club choice and The Times Best Books for October** sacrifice, belonging and survival. SUN 22 AUG, 11.00AM – 12.30PM WORKSHOP Venue: Halstead Library, Bridge Street, Halstead CO9 1HU Tickets: £7 / £5 Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Alec Marsh Writing Workshop: Period Writing The past is a different place, they do things differently there – in this workshop SAT 21 AUG, 7.30PM NON-FICTION Alec Marsh explores how the past can be used to bring your creative writing to life, just as your creative writing can also bring the past to life too. Iain Dale Why Can’t We all Get Along: Shout Less and Venue: Chelmsford Theatres, Fairfield Rd, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG Listen More Tickets: £20 / £15 Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Why Can’t We All Just Get Along: Shout Less and Listen More is part-memoir, part-polemic about the state of public discourse in Britain and the world today. SUN 22 AUG, 12.30PM NON-FICTION LBC radio presenter and political commentator Iain Dale talks about our increasingly divided society, and explores the reasons behind why we have all become so disrespectful and intolerant. Frances Fyfield and Nigel Simeone in discussion with Geraldine Perriam Venue: Cramphorn Studio, Fairfield Rd, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG Patricia Highsmith Centenary Discussion Tickets: £15 / £12 Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Patricia Highsmith, who was born in the USA, spent much of her life in Europe and lived for some time in Suffolk. She was a complex person and there were many who did not like her character or her views. However no one is in doubt that she wrote some brilliant psychological thrillers, notably Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr Ripley, both of which have been made into highly

successfulVenue: films.Cramphorn Studio, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG Tickets: £8 / £6 Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

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SUN 22 AUG, 12.45 – 2.15PM WORKSHOP SUN 22 AUG, 2.30PM NON-FICTION SUN 22 AUG, 7.30PM FICTION THU 26 AUG, 7.00PM NON-FICTION

Samantha Lee Howe Barry Forshaw Mat Osman The Ruins Alison Weir Writing Workshop: Character Driven Dorothy L Sayers Lecture: Crime Katharine Parr, The Sixth Wife Action in Suspense and Thriller Fiction – a Reader’s Guide Spend an evening with Mat Osman – author and bass player of acclaimed British rock band Suede Two husbands dead: a life marred by sadness. And Samantha Lee Howe delivers one of her inspiring – as he opens the pages on his intoxicating debut writing workshops. Explore the art of increasing expert, examines – in lively detail – how female novel of magic, music and murder, The Ruins. life. The eye of an aging and dangerous king falls suspense and introducing twists in action, thriller writersBarry Forshaw, have energised the UK’s the leading genre crime from fictionthe Golden Sitting down with BBC Essex’s Tony Fisher, Osman, now Katharine is in love for the first time in her and suspense writing. Learn about character Age to the present. Barry has met most of the key will draw us into his turbulent 2010 where banks feelings and never betray that she wanted another. motivation and its impact on the story arc. This is a women writers from Patricia Highsmith to Patricia are on the edge of oblivion, a volcano is erupting Sheupon is her. the Shesixth cannot wife. Herrefuse queenship him. She is must a holy stifle her participatory workshop so please bring paper and Cornwell and has a fund of fascinating anecdotes. in Iceland, and marauding gunmen sport Donald mission yet fearfully she recalls the tragic parade of pen or other preferred writing materials. Barry’s Crime Fiction: A Reader’s Guide covers Duck masks. Exploring the place where music and women who went before her. everything from the beginnings of the genre to literature meet, Osman will talk about the toxicity Alison Weir recounts the extraordinary story of a Venue: Chelmsford Theatres, Fairfield Rd, current bestselling writers from America, Britain Chelmsford, CM1 1JG of the chase for fame and the slow death of the woman forced into a perilous situation and rising and all across the world. music industry. Tickets: £20 / £15 heroically to the challenge. . Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, Venue: Cramphorn Studio, Fairfield Rd, Venue: Cramphorn Studio, Fairfield Rd, Venue: Layer Marney Tower, Layer Marney, Nr www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Chelmsford, CM1 1JG Chelmsford, CM1 1JG Colchester, CO5 9US Tickets: £8 / £6 Tickets: £15/ £12 Tickets: £12 / £10 Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk www.essexbookfestival.org.uk www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

SUN 22 AUG, 2.30 – 4.00PM WORKSHOP SUN 22 AUG, 4.00PM MEMOIR TUE 24 AUG, 7.00PM FICTION Mat Osman Alexandra Wilson In Black and White Writing Workshop: How to Start a Elizabeth Haynes You, Me & the Sea In her debut book, In Black and White, Alexandra Novel (even if you’re not a rock star) re-creates the tense courtroom scenes, the heart- Compelling, moving and teeming with feral desire: breaking meetings with teenage clients, and the You, Me & the Sea is a contemporary story of Join Mat Osman, novelist and bass player of the moments of frustration and triumph that make up love and redemption set on a remote, windswept acclaimed British rock band Suede for a special a young barrister’s life. Alexandra shows us how Scottish island from the bestselling author of it feels to defend someone who hates the colour of Into the Darkest Corner and The Murder of Harriet Monckton. writer’s workshop on writing your first novel, your skin, or someone you suspect is guilty. “This is escapism in the best possible way.” finding time to write around a busy schedule and Venue: Cramphorn Studio, Fairfield Rd, Venue: Chelmsford Theatres, Fairfield Rd, - Marian Keyes life’s demands, and how to find joy in the process. Chelmsford, CM1 1JG Chelmsford, CM1 1JG Tickets: £8/ £6 Venue: Witham Library, 18 Newland Street, Witham, Tickets: £20 / £15 Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, CM8 2AQ Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Tickets: £7 / £5 www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Box Office: Mercury Theatre 01206 573948, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

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SUN 29 AUG, 11.00AM – 5.00PM Essex Book Festival is teaming up with children’s publisher Scallywag Press

for a series of fabulous author/artist events as part of our Festival Finale. Essex Book Camp – Festival Finale Sunday 29th August Tickets information from www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

Tickets: £4 (Adults free). Join in the fun at our Essex Book All events are suitable for ages 4+ Camp and Festival Finale! An adult must accompany children. With a huge range of events for all ages, including

tellers; author talks and discussions; writing andstorytelling art workshops; with some woodland of East crafts;Anglia’s drop-in finest family yoga sessions, The Global Village and much, much more, Cressing Temple Barns is the place to Rob Ramsden be this August Bank Holiday. Join Rob Ramsden as he reads from his brilliant picture book I Saw a Bee. Venue: Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Road, He’ll also be exploring nature and the importance of bees through an activity Cressing, Braintree, CM77 8PD inspired by Cressing Temple Barns own buzzy inhabitants.

Inbal Leitner SUN 29 AUG, 11.30AM – 4.30PM Inspired by her book The Longest Strongest Thread, Inbal Leitner will be

The Storytelling Tent ones stay strong, even if they can’t always see or be near them, using pre-inked papersrunning and a workshop coloured topencils help children to create reflect a story on and how collage. connections with loved “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing” - George Bernard Shaw

our inaugural Essex Book Camp to regale us with tales of magic, wonder and Deborah Chancellor We are thrilled to be welcoming five of East Anglia’s finest storytellers to adventure. Discover where your food comes from with author Deborah Chancellor! From fairies, wizards, elves and dragons, Africa to Siberia, storyteller Paul Jackson takes his audience; young and old, on magical journeys around the where it comes from and how it ends up on the table in her fun Follow My Food world. writingDeborah workshop. will help little She’ll ones also explore read from the herfood new they book eat everyMilly Cow day Givesto find Milk. out A master of folk and fairy tales, fables, wisdom tales, and myths and legends, some of Shane Ibbs’ stories are hundreds of years old, many of which are surprisingly pertinent today. Rose Robbins Janina Vigurs (noun; Ya-nee-na V-eye-gers) is a storyteller and play-maker, telling tales from memory that live in her heart and bones. She’s astonishingly Join Rose Robbins as she reads from her new book LOUD! and runs a noisy good at facilitating play for small and big people. workshop that plans to live up to the book’s title! Award-winning storyteller Glenys Newton left home at an early age to work with horses in Italy. Years later she returned with a mountain of stories. She has been spinning her yarns ever since. Driven by a passion to engage and inspire through the power of story, Marjoke Henrichs traditional oral storyteller and founder of Tiny Tales Storytellers Hannah Brailsford travels the world through folk tales, myths and legends. Author and illustrator Marjoke Henrich’s funny debut book No Said Rabbit! follows a little rabbit on his ‘no’ saying day and warmly captures a story Tickets: Drop In familiar to parents and children alike! Join Marjoke as she gives a story reading and drawing workshop for creative little ones.

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SUN 29 AUG, 3.45 – 4.45PM SUN 29 AUG SUN 29 AUG, 11.00 – 12.30PM

Glenys Newton and John Tarrow Drop In Activities Josie Dom Animalympics in conversation Building Imaginary The greatest sporting event of the century is Worlds: Life Made Magic be partnering with many organisations offering happening at Cressing Temple Barns on 29 August. activitiesAs part of tothe promote Festival wellness, finale we the are natural honoured to Join the Animalympics crew to get involved Following her week-long residency at Talliston environment and creativity. in creating sport/animal-inspired crafts with House and Gardens, Britain’s most extraordinary children’s author Josie Dom while listening to house, writer and storyteller Glenys Newton chats Whether it’s trying your hand at traditional extracts of the story with badminton-playing to author John Tarrow about his own extraordinary sun-printing with artist Angenita Hardy- peacocks, javelin-throwing octopus and hurdling gazelles amongst many others. Come dressed as detached ex-council house in Great Dunmow into a Walled Garden, pinning your Earth poem on our your favourite animal to win a prize! wonderlandtwenty-five yearof inspirational journey transforming rooms and alocations, semi- PoetryBowers Tree, using taking flowers part and in leaves one of from Active The Essex’s each set in a different time and place. family yoga sessions, or simply taking some Venue: Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Rd, time out to meditate, create a gratitude jar or Cressing, Braintree CM77 8PD Venue: Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Rd, take part in the sensory walk with wellbeing Tickets: £4 Cressing, Braintree CM77 8PD charity Heads2Minds, the challenge will be Box Office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Tickets: £8 / £6 Box Office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk fittingCheck out it all www.essexbookfestval.org.uk in. for more information. Free. Suitable for all ages.

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SUN 29 AUG, 1.30 – 3.00PM SUN 29 AUG, 3.30 – 5.00PM SUN 29 AUG, 12.00 – 1.00PM SUN 29 AUG, 2.00 – 3.00PM

Georgina Harding Harvest Dr Hilary Jones Frontline Neil D’Arcy Jones Michelle Durant Make your own Podcast Workshop Acclaimed author Georgina Harding will be talking A devastating war. A global pandemic… Script-Writing Workshop Ages 14+ Join writer Neil D’Arcy-Jones, artistic director of Ages 14+ about her latest book Harvest: an illuminating, Introducing a sweeping, sumptuous World War One Packing Shed Theatre, for a 2-hour scriptwriting tense and masterly meditation on memory, place medical drama and an epic new historical series CCR FM presenter Michelle Durant will be sharing workshop looking at the theatre of place. Packing and trauma set on a Norfolk farm in the 1970s. The from TV’s Dr Hilary Jones. insights into developing your own podcast for third in Harding’s cycle of novels about the Ashe Shed Theatre was set up in 2016 to create and broadcast. Take part in an interview with a special family unearths the secrets of the past. Frontline produce work inspired by the people and places of guest. Contribute to Essex Book Festival and and a love so powerful it can survive both. East Anglia. Their latest production, The Hay Wain, “A masterly achievement, illuminating with wisdom Chelmsford Community Radio’s special Eco-Cast is a riveting epic of WW1, the Spanish flu – runs in Colchester’s Castle Park from September and compassion the darkest corners of the human Venue: Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Rd, Project to be launched in September at British 8 to 18. heart.” – The Guardian Cressing, Braintree CM77 8PD Science Festival in Chelmsford. Tickets: £10 / £8 Venue: Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Rd, Venue: Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Rd, Venue: Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Rd, Cressing, Braintree CM77 8PD Cressing, Braintree CM77 8PD Box Office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Cressing, Braintree CM77 8PD Tickets: £15 / £12 Tickets: £8 / £6 Tickets: £15 / £12 Box Office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Box Office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Box Office: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

28 For information and bookings call: 01206 573948 ESSEXBOOKFESTIVAL.ORG.UK ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL 29

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Dates for the Diary: SUN 29 AUG, 11.00AM – 4.00PM SAT 25 SEPTEMBER The Festival Feeling Returns this Summer: Essex Cultural Diversity Project brings you Global Village Essex Authors Day Green Spaces A great opportunity for aspiring writers and local authors (of all ages) to Essex Cultural Diversity Project is delighted to announce funding from celebrate writing. Arts Council England, Essex County Council and ActiveEssex to support a new programme of events to celebrate diversity, engage communities and • Discover new tips and inspiration from writing workshops encourage activity across Essex in the county’s wonderful green spaces. • Connect with other Essex writers

A series of taster events at country parks at Hadleigh, Belhus, Danbury and For more information and updates, please visit www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Cudmore Grove will culminate in a Global Village Lite at Cressing Temple Barns Venue: Chelmsford Library, County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1QH will make for an inspiring day, with bespoke performances, workshops and SAT 11 SEPT, 11.00AM – 4.00PM activitieson Sunday for 29 everyone August. Excited to enjoy. to Circus, be joining dance, the music, Essex Bookfolklore, Festival martial finale, arts this from across the world – the Global Village Green Spaces project offers the chance to experience a whole range of activities from local diverse talent and beyond. Manifesto For Essex Youth Summit For more information on this (and news of a full Global Village celebration Join in the fun and debate at our Manifesto For Essex Youth Summit. With coming in 2022!) visit www.essexcdp.com author talks, panel discussions, workshops, performances and demonstrations all in the mix, the British Science Festival’s Family Day at Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford) can’t come soon enough for us.

More information coming at www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

All this would not be possible without the support of these partners:

Maja’s Education Project Key partners Maja’s Education Project was set up by Maja Antoine-Onikoyi last year and focuses on sending out free books on Black history, racial injustices, the oppression of Black people and Black lives, to those who cannot afford them. The future and safety of Black lives resides in the education of the present. Principal Media Partner For more information visit: majaseducationproject.com

Sponsors, Supporters and Funders

30 For information and bookings call: 01206 573948 ESSEXBOOKFESTIVAL.ORG.UK ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL 31

@ESSEXBOOKFEST @ESSEXBOOKFEST Thank You to everyone who donated to our crowdfunder…

Agnieszka Studzinska Glenys Newton Monica Greenwood Andrea Cooper Hayley Dixon Nigel Baylem Angela Joan Thomson Jan Scott Nikki Wilson Angelica Green Janet Bigg Pat Gaudin Anne Hamilton Jigna Patel Patricia Borlenghi Anthea Stone Jim MacDonald Peter Donaldson Bec Hughes Jo Nancarrow Peter John Evans Ben Philp Jordan Gold Esq Rachel Elvidge Brenda Pey Josie Dom Richard Alan Banks Brian Goodwin Julie Warren Richard Plaskett Camilla Shestopal Julie Weight Robert Fletcher Carol Rayner Katie Deverell Ros Green Caroline Walton Kaveri A Woodward Rosie Sandler Charlotte Evans KenE Sarah Moth Claire Nixon Lauren Johnson Seona Ford Daisy Nash Leah Amy Lovatt Shane Ibbs David George Lily Green Sue Day Debra Cresswell Liz Trenow Sue Dring Douglas Hunter Louisa Stringer Tom Pilgrim Evie Blades Lynden Wade Val Johnson Felix Lyndsay Davison Wendy Constance Gail Butler Marc De’ath Zoe Martin Genevieve Yusuf Maureen Saville Zoe Petard Gill Chedgey Meg Hung

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Essex Book Festival gratefully The programme is subject Essex Book Festival Limited acknowledges the use of photographic to change. Please check Charity number 1143727 resources supplied by authors, www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Company number 7538636 publishers and photographers. for updates Fisher Michael Chartered Accountants Ellisons Solicitors

Contact Essex Book Festival

Essex Book Festival (01206) 872739 Centre for Creative Writing (07913) 061948 University of Essex Colchester [email protected] CO4 3SQ www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

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