For immediate release: 4 September 2015

FINAL LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR BOOK FESTIVAL 2015

Today, organisers of Guildford Book Festival announce the full programme for the 2015 event, taking place between 11 and 18 October in venues across the town.

Joining an already sparkling line-up are acclaimed broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, with his latest historical novel, Now is the Time, set against the background of the Peasants’ Revolt; top crime writer Peter James, presenting his debut ghost story, The House on Cold Hill; Guardian Theatre Critic Michael Billington, who will share his personal view of The 101 Greatest Plays of all time, and much-loved comedian Helen Lederer, discussing her first laugh-out-loud novel, Losing It.

Coinciding with the Rugby World Cup, sport is represented at this year’s Festival by two giants of international rugby. Richard Parks became an extreme adventurer after retiring from the game following injury and gives an inspiring account of his arctic exploits in Beyond the Horizon. In Bomb, Adam Jones - the most capped Welsh prop - tells the story of his rise from being a labourer in the Swansea Valley to the pinnacle of his sport.

A new biography by Michael Smith gives fresh insights into the endeavours of the explorer, Shackleton, and a further new biography about codebreaker Alan Turing, by his nephew Sir Dermot Turing, offers a unique family perspective on one of Britain’s most revered characters - the subject of renewed interest through The Imitation Game.

Damien Lewis examines how the SAS covertly operated in the aftermath of the Second World War, hunting through the ruins of the Reich for the SS commanders who had escaped justice, in Nazi Hunters.

Nicholas Vincent gives an account of the origins and legacy of the Magna Carta, and in Royalty Inc, former Guardian Royal Correspondent Stephen Bates assesses Queen Elizabeth ll and her reign as she becomes Britain’s longest reigning monarch.

Agatha Christie is the inspiration for two new books. Hugh Fraser, who played Captain Hastings alongside David Suchet’s Poirot in the TV series, makes his literary debut with the fast-paced thriller, Harm. In A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie, research chemist Kathryn Harkup investigates how the poisons used in each novel reveal vital clues to murder.

Also a literary lunch with best-selling authors Adele Parks and Esther Freud, an indulgent afternoon tea with Sunday Times Top Ten Bestselling author Tasmina Perry, the opportunity to enjoy morning coffee and chat with romantic novelists Jenny Colgan and Giovanna Fletcher and for Richard and Judy Book Club fans, Saskia Sarginson will be joining Clare Mackintosh.

With the release of the major new film Suffragette this October, bestselling authors Lissa Evans and Lucy Ribchester reveal how the women’s movement inspired the colourful characters in their new novels.

UK Space Agency Research fellow Lewis Dartnell looks ahead to an uncertain future in The Knowledge: How To Rebuild Our World from Scratch, and Marty Jopson - BBC One ’s resident scientist – explains the Science of Everyday Life with fun demonstrations.

A successful life is something we all strive for and Matthew Syed, award-winning journalist and author of the phenomenally influential book Bounce, tells the surprising truth about how to obtain it in Black Box Thinking, whilst Mark Jenkins, star of Channel 4’s comedy documentary The Hotel, shares his own ‘unique’ thoughts on how to live life to the full in the World According to Manager Mark.

For budding authors, novelist and creative writing tutor Emma Darwin gives top tips on how to Get started in Writing Historical Fiction and in The Submission Process, literary agents offer advice on how to make your submission stand out from the crowd.

Drama lovers will enjoy the opportunity to enter the world of Charles Dickens in the company of his great great grandson, Gerald Dickens, who will perform Great Expectations playing every character himself.

And ahead of Guildford Shakespeare Company's brand new adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, staged to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the book's publication, Co-Founder Matt Pinches and writer Ant Stones talk about adapting Lewis Carroll's creation for the stage and how the company have made it very much 'Guildford's' Alice in Wonderland.

Poetry fans will enjoy an informal workshop with Wey Poets and the chance to hear contemporary Spoken Word artists, comedians and activists from the local area in Poetry Jam.

Commenting, Jim Parks, Guildford Book Festival Creative Director, said: “We know our audience love the unexpected and this year we really do have something for everyone, with a really exciting mix of genres and topics and sessions which will enthral, enlighten and of course, entertain. Tickets are already selling fast and predictions are that this will be our most successful Festival yet.”

Tickets now on sale at www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk or from box offices at Guildford’s Tourist Information Centre and Electric Theatre. See website for more information and for latest updates. www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk @gfordbookfest facebook.com/guildfordbookfestival

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Notes to Editors:

Guildford Book Festival

Established in 1989, Guildford Book Festival is staged annually over 7 days across venues within the town. Many of the UK’s most successful authors have appeared at the Festival, including Sebastian Faulks, Joanna Trollope, Joanne Harris, and Ian Rankin alongside household names such as Jonathan Aitken, Kate Adie and Matt Dawson.

A registered charity, Guildford Book Festival receives core funding from Guildford Borough Council and the as well as support from a number of key local businesses, including sponsors rhw Solicitors, TWM Solicitors, WH Smith and supporters Experience Guildford and Radisson Blu Edwardian, Guildford.

Festival patrons are Elizabeth Buchan, Michael Buerk, Adele Parks, Michael Rosen, Sandi Toksvig, Fay Weldon, Timothy West and Jacqueline Wilson.

GUILDFORD BOOK FESTIVAL 2015 FULL LINE-UP:

Lucy Atkins Mark Jenkins Michael Smith Austentatious Adam Jones Ant Stones Stephen Bates Dr Marty Jopson Matthew Syed Michael Billington Helen Lederer Piers Torday Fanny Blake Damien Lewis Sir Dermot Turing Brian Blessed Clare Mackintosh Nicholas Vincent Mark Bostridge Chris Manby Terry Waite Melvyn Bragg Catherine Mayer Lord Waldegrave Vince Cable HRH Princess Michael of SJ Watson Jenny Colgan Kent Wey Poets Paul Cox Deborah Moggach Kate Williams Sara Crowe Caroline Moorehead Olivia Williams Lewis Dartnell Adele Parks Emma Darwin Richard Parks Gerald Dickens Tasmina Perry Lissa Evans Matt Pinches Liz Fenwick PoetryJam Giovanna Fletcher Sonia Purnell Hugh Fraser Lucy Ribchester Esther Freud Dominic Riley Dr Kathryn Harkup Guy Saville Max Hastings Saskia Sarginson Gill Hornby Saira Shah Peter James Douglas Skeggs