Tales, talks and a Pet Shop Boy on Book Fest agenda
Durham line-up announced
Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys is one of the headline names at this year’s Durham Book Festival, along with Christopher Eccleston, Susanna Clarke, James Marriott, Lucy Foley, Hollie McNish and Louise Doughty.
Tickets are now on sale for the festival taking place over the weekend of October 9 to 11 with most events at Gala Durham.
Founded in 1990, the event is produced by New Writing North for Durham County Council – with additional support from Durham University and Arts Council England - and brings some of the country’s leading writers, thinkers, performers and broadcasters to the city.
And, of course, musicians… although Tyneside-born Neil Tennant had a successful career in publishing and journalism before Pet Shops Boys took off in the mid-1980s.
He will join Fiona Hill, chancellor of Durham University and former US presidential adviser, in an exclusive talk as part of the series Forged in the North, exploring in this case how a North East upbringing helped to shape one of Britain’s most influential songwriters.
This year’s festival coincides with the 40th anniversary of Pet Shop Boys’ debut album, Please, and the reissue of Tennant’s 2018 book One Hundred Lyrics and a Poem in paperback.
Tennant was awarded an honorary degree by Durham University in 2022.
Hill will also talk to The Times columnist James Marriott, who is also from Tyneside, whose work has included the impact of smartphones on reading, human cognition and democracy.
These themes were developed through his BBC Radio 4 series, How Reading Made Us, and his debut book, The New Dark Ages.
Acclaimed British fantasy writer Susanna Clarke will make a rare public appearance to discuss her new Durham-inspired novella, The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City, whose publication coincides with the festival.
Set in 1110, the atmospheric prequel to her bestselling Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, her hit debut of 2004, will be explored in the very city that inspired and anchors its story.
Actor Christopher Eccleston, famous for his role in Our Friends in the North and as Doctor Who, and poet Jo Clement will take part in a special live recording of the Working-Class Library podcast, celebrating the legacy of Newcastle-based poet Tony Harrison who died last year.
Lucy Foley’s bestselling thriller, The Hunting Party, is to be this year’s festival Big Read, with 3,000 free copies distributed through North East libraries, schools, hospitals and community organisations to celebrate the National Year of Reading.
Foley, who studied at Durham University, will also discuss Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel, due to be published in September with the blessing of the Agatha Christie estate as the first fully authorised new Miss Marple novel in 50 years.
Bestselling novelist Louise Doughty (Apple Tree Yard, Platform Seven) will join filmmaker Nicola Wilding to discuss their new memoirs, while acclaimed poet Hollie McNish will teams up with Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen for an evening of poetry, humour and performance.
Meanwhile the Poetry Book Society Showcase will bring together poets Clementine Ewokolo, Helen Mort and Padraig Regan.
Other highlights include sessions with North East thriller writers Jo Murray and Rebecca Philipson, Dan Jackson discussing his eagerly awaited social history of Newcastle United and feminist writers Clare McGlynn and Natasha Walter tackling issues including online misogyny and women’s rights.
A new short stories commission for the podcast Sleep Stories will see acclaimed writers Romalyn Ante, Naomi Booth and Sarah Hall join sleep scientists to discuss the challenges of getting a good night’s kip - and the festival embraces innovative storytelling with a festival ‘Game Jam’ and a discussion on the relationship between gaming and fiction.
Subjects range from Greek mythology to Tarot reading, with comedy from North East door-to-door poet Rowan McCabe.
Also on offer are chances to indulge with local restaurateur Anna Hedworth and food writer Kit Fan, and to swoon over Regency romance with Sophie Irwin, who is keeping the legacy of Georgette Heyer alive and will be in conversation with The History Gossip influencer, Katie Kennedy.
The festival will continue its commitment to championing emerging northern talent with events for aspiring authors keen to learn about the publication process and a day-long writing workshop with Faber Academy author, Amy Key.
Rebecca Wilkie, Durham Book Festival director at New Writing North, said: “We’re delighted to be back celebrating stories rooted in the North, while welcoming voices from across the UK and beyond.
“Working-class writing is a major theme, from the legacy of Tony Harrison to our exciting showcase, New Northern Voices.
“The festival is also firmly rooted in place, exploring how the North East has shaped writers, artists and their work.”
Councillor Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “Durham Book Festival is not only a longstanding and popular event on the county’s cultural calendar, but it’s now a firm favourite on the UK literary scene too.
“Each year it delivers a fantastic programme of talks, events and activities that entertain and inspire people of all ages.
“What’s more, it attracts thousands of people into Durham city centre, helping to boost the local economy while also promoting our wonderful libraries and cultural venues.”
This year’s event, she added, was extra special since it coincides with the National Year of Reading, the campaign encouraging people to get behind the pages of a book.
“We have a programme of activities taking place throughout the year and Durham Book Festival is, of course, one of the highlights,” she said.
Professor Janet Stewart, executive dean (arts and humanities) at Durham University, said: “The Festival embodies the very best of our university: curiosity, creativity and the vibrant exchange of ideas.
“Each year, it brings an extraordinary wealth of talent to our city, including graduates, university colleagues and our chancellor, Dr Fiona Hill, creating opportunities to challenge and connect.
We celebrate the enrichment it brings—not only to our university, but also to the wider community, fostering cultural experiences that resonate long after the festival ends.”
Tickets, with many events also available via livestream, are on sale and can be booked via the Durham Book Festival website.