Tickets go on sale for Derby Book Festival’s Autumn Edition

Tickets are now on sale for Derby Book Festival’s Autumn edition, which this year features 25 events taking place at venues across the city.

Held from Thursday 16 November to Tuesday 19 November, the event features a top line-up of authors talking about books covering a range of topics.

Backed by all the major arts and cultural partners in Derby, with funding from the Arts Council England, the University of Derby and over 20 businesses and individuals, Autumn Edition events will be held in venues including QUAD, Derby Museums and Artcore.

Highlights this year include Guardian columnist Adrian Chiles in conversation with BBC Midlands Correspondent Navtej Johal.

Political journalist Tom Baldwin will be talking about his authoritative biography of Keir Starmer and David Torrance will speak about The Wild Men: The Remarkable Story of Britain’s First Labour Government.

There will also be a treat for football fans as Marcus Alton talks to former BBC Radio Derby sports presenter Colin Gibson about his book Brian Clough: The Lost Tapes.

The Autumn Edition will also welcome novelists Jonathan Coe, Cecelia Ahern and Sarah Ward, while there will also be something for history fans, including a talk by historian Julie Summers on British Vogue: The Biography of an Icon.

There will also be a range of events for children and families, while the free University of Derby CivicLAB events at the Artcore Gallery return, with academics sharing their latest research publications on a range of subjects, including The Many Faces of Dracula.

The festival will also include a Book and Craft Market at the Museum of Making on Saturday 23 November.

The Autumn Edition is a ‘hybrid’ festival with in-person events, all of which will be recorded.

People can buy individual recordings of events (for 50% of the in-person ticket price) or a digital pass is available giving access to all 15 recorded events, which will be available to watch for six weeks after the festival ends (from 22 November to 3 January).

Professor Keith McLay, festival chair and deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Derby, said: “Derby Book Festival continues to grow, and it is a joy to conclude another successful year with the Autumn Edition.

“Books provide us with escapism, explore new ideas and create conversations and the events planned are designed to inspire people to discover new authors and encourage their love of books.

“I am personally very passionate about the power of a good book and hope that audiences old and new can find the time to engage with the festival as this autumn’s exciting programme of events is not to be missed.

“As a civic university, we champion the arts and culture of our city and, together with our partner venues at QUAD and the Museum of Making, are delighted to continue to support Derby Book Festival.”

Following the success of previous appeals, the festival is organising another Children’s Book Appeal to coincide with the Autumn Edition.

In the summer, more than 800 books were distributed to 26 schools in Derby to pass on to children.

Throughout the Autumn Edition people are invited to donate gently used, pre-loved books suitable for primary school children.

Drop off venues include partners Marketing Derby, Derbion, Wathalls and QUAD.

Festival audiences can also bring their books to events where they will be gratefully received.

Throughout the festival there will be a stall at QUAD selling all the books featured at the festival, plus signed books from the Autumn Edition and previous festivals, as well as a selection of Book Aid Charity Christmas cards, children’s books and a mystery book selection.

The festival programme, designed by digital marketing company Gravity Digital, is available from QUAD, other arts venues, all libraries and tourist information offices.

Tickets for the Autumn Edition can be booked online by visiting https://www.derbybookfestival.co.uk/whats-on/events/.