What’s On: Velvet’s highlights of Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival

Returning for its sixth outing, the much-loved Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival promises a scintillating program of events, talks and discussions from celebrated authors. Louise Cummings picks out her magnificent seven

Who: Catherine Emmett
What: Launching a stellar programme for children, local author Catherine Emmett will be enchanting little ones with picture book storytelling. Reading from her touching tale, The Rainbow Flamingo, she’ll empower young readers with the message that it’s okay to be unique. Her sparkling original Halloween tale, Trick or Treat?, meanwhile, will celebrate the ingenuity of a small girl, whose actions help a wicked witch get her just desserts!

Catherine, who lives in rural Essex ‘surrounded by words, animals and noisy boys’ has written an array of award-winning books including King of The Swamp, The Dodo Who Dreamed She Could Fly and Sammy The Striker And The Football Cup, which was read on CBeebies Bedtime Stories. This session is suitable for children aged two to eight.
When: Saturday, October 12, 10.30am

Who: Janice Hallett
What: If you’ve ever dreamt of penning a best-selling crime novel, winning a mantelpiece of silverware and achieving world-wide fandom, then Janice Hallet can lend you some pointers. In conversation with BLF Patron Nicola Upson, the best-selling author will be discussing her latest novel, The Examiner, dubbed ‘witty, devious and outrageously brilliant’ by critics. A tale of murder and intrigue, it revolves around the antics of six mature students on Royal Hastings University’s new art course.

Crime writer extraordinaire Janice has written four best-sellers, winning the CWA Debut Dagger of 2021 for her first novel, The Appeal, and Crime & Thriller Book of the Year in the British Book Awards 2023 for her follow-up, The Twyford Code.
When: Sunday, October 13, 3pm, at The Guildhall, Bury St Edmunds

Who: Sam Leith
What: Accomplished author and literary editor of The Spectator, Sam Leith presents a pioneering history of children’s literature, from the ancient world to the present day.

Finding the magic within our most cherished stories, and exploring the ways in which they have shaped and consoled entire generations, the respected critic excavates the complex lives of beloved writers. The author of several books including You Talkin' To Me? Rhetoric from Aristotle to Trump... and Beyond, and Write To The Point: How to Be Clear, Correct and Persuasive on the Page, Sam’s enthralling talk is suitable for those aged 12 plus, though younger children are welcome (there’ll be colouring to amuse young artists).
When: Saturday, October 12, 1.30pm

Who: Georgina Moore and Bobby Palmer
What: Why do tales of difficult family dynamics make such fascinating reads? Ruminating on this conundrum are two of the most exciting voices writing family drama in the UK.
Best-selling author Georgina Moore (The Garnett Girls) and journalist Bobby Palmer (Small Hours; Waterstones Paperback of the Year, Isaac and The Egg) will be in conversation with Kate Sawyer, author of Waterstones Book Of The Month, This Family.

Join the trio as they delve into family dynamics, sibling rivalry and exasperated parents as they seek to discover why we can't get enough of reading about the trials and tribulations of other people’s families!
When: Saturday, October 12, 6pm

Who: Patrick Barkham
What: The award-winning author and natural history writer for the Guardian invites you to immerse yourself in the world of Suffolk’s late great environmentalist Roger Deakin.
In his captivating biography, The Swimmer – The Life of Roger Deakin, Patrick Barkham conjures up Roger's voice to tell the romantic and sometimes troubled story of his life.

Roger Deakin wrote nature classics Waterlog and Wildwood and painstakingly restored his ancient farmhouse on the edge of Mellis common in Suffolk. Prior to that he was a maverick ad-man and seller of stripped-pine furniture. In later life he became an inspirational teacher, filmmaker, music promoter and eco-warrior. He is remembered today as the patron saint of wild swimming.

Patrick is the author of eight books and lives in Norfolk with his family, where he is President of Norfolk Wildlife Trust
When: Saturday, October 12, 3pm

Who: Dominique Valente
What: Let your imagination run wild with South African-born Dominique Valente, author of the bestselling Starfell series. Children aged eight to 12 are invited to create their own fantasy fiction worlds as they step into the magical Isles of Britain, an alternative pre-Victorian Britain where bathing huts move, hats are enchanted, and some houses are alive! This session is inspired by Dominique’s new series Witchspark, which features a main character with a limb difference like Dominique, who was born with one hand (but views her disability as an ‘unexpected superpower’). For a fantastic finale, children will vote for their favourite magical power, portal and world!
When: Sunday, October 13, 10.30am

Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival runs October 11 to 13 at The Unitarian Meeting House in Bury St Edmunds. Find out more at burylitfest.co.uk