Derby Book Festival announces programme for its 10th anniversary

Derby Book Festival has revealed its exciting programme for its 10th anniversary, with tickets having gone on sale for its Summer Festival, from Friday 23rd May to Sunday 1st June.

60 book-related events will be held at venues across the city including QUAD, Derby College, Derby Theatre, Artcore and Derby Museums.

Highlights of the Festival will include the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage; Horrible Histories author Terry Deary; Guardian journalist and author Lucy Mangan; BBC News special correspondent and former Radio 4 Today presenter, James Naughtie; and Parkrun founder, Paul Sinton-Hewitt’s memoir.

Professor Keith McLay, chair of Derby Book Festival and deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Derby, said: “Derby Book Festival is a cherished part of our city and region’s cultural life, and 2025 marks a special milestone as the charity celebrates its 10th anniversary.

“Once again, there is a wide-ranging programme of events and inspired guests that appeal to all ages and interests.”

The Festival is funded by Arts Council England and the University of Derby with sponsorship from several local businesses and individuals.

Professor McLay continued: “The University of Derby is proud to continue to support the Festival, which opens up a wealth of opportunities for our communities to come together to explore books and a love of reading.

“We are looking forward to welcoming so many talented and engaging authors across various genres to the city to share their passions and insights, and thank the local businesses and organisations that have given their support to Derby Book Festival this year.”

Academics from the University of Derby will present seven free CivicLAB events at Artcore to talk about their latest research and publications on a broad range of subjects. This year’s programme includes an event with Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, vice-chancellor of the University of Derby on her co-authored book, Making Equal.

The Festival will include the Kids Takeover at Electric Daisy (in partnership with Down to Earth Derby) plus Storytelling at Derbion and Waterstones.

It will once again take over Derby College on Sunday 25th May with eight events held across the day, including a series of writing workshops and the annual festival book quiz.

The two annual primary schools’ Meet the Author events, both to be held at Derby Theatre will feature authors MG Leonard and Nadia Shireen.
These two events will also be live streamed to schools across the city and county, reaching around 12,000 children.

For people who are unable to attend in person, 23 Festival events will be filmed and recorded and made available after the Festival ends.

For more information and tickets, see the Festival website: https://www.derbybookfestival.co.uk/whats-on.

The Festival programme will be available from all Festival venues, as well as from libraries and local cafes and community centres.