Not long now before Priority booking opens at 9am on Saturday 16th August and general booking on Saturday 23rd August – mark your diaries, as we expect many events to sell out quickly!
We have a stellar line-up this year and the full programme is now available on our website, with programmes dropping through your letterbox over the next few weeks.
If you have been watching, reading or listening to the media this week, you can’t have missed the publicity surrounding Andrew Lownie’s revealing new book about Prince Andrew – we are excited that he will be joining us on Sunday morning to talk about his new book Entitled. And to our delight, Annette Badland will be joining us again for poetry readings and tea at Ockenden Manor.
Read on to find out about these events and more!
ANDREW LOWNIE
SUNDAY 5TH OCTOBER
Packed full of extraordinary revelations, Entitled is the first joint biography of the Duke and Duchess of York, revealing how their lives are still deeply entwined. Andrew Lownie traces the lives of the late Queen’s second son and his ex-wife through their childhoods, courtship, marriage, divorce, careers and royal and charitable activities.
The picture that emerges is of a spoilt prince unable to connect and a duchess pushed by her insecurities into a desperate need to maintain the attention her ‘royal’ status brought.
ANNETTE BADLAND
SUNDAY 5TH OCTOBER
Sunday afternoon at Cuckfield Book Festival wouldn’t be the same without Annette Badland introducing us to some poetry readings. This year, she has selected the American poet, Mary Oliver who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1984. She found inspiration for her work in nature and had a lifelong habit of solitary walks in the wild. Her poetry is characterised by wonderment at the natural environment, vivid imagery, and unadorned language.
ENCOUNTERS WITH JAMES BALDWIN
SATURDAY 4TH OCTOBER
In this literary anthology, Sonia Grant, Ray Shell and Roy McFarlane reveal the influence of Baldwin’s thought, speech and writing on their personal journeys and their awareness of the need for social justice. Celebrating the centenary of the birth of the trailblazing African American author, Encounters with James Baldwin is a wide-ranging volume of short essays, reflections, interviews and poetry.
This moving collection demonstrates the significant legacy of the writer and activist who spoke truth to power during the era of the fight for Black civil liberties in the US, and after. Kadija Sesay is a scholar-activist and co-editor of Encounters with James Baldwin. She has edited several other anthologies of writers of African descent, particularly of Black British writers.
CHILDREN’S EVENTS
We have some wonderful events for children this year, including an illustration workshop with the very talented Steven Lenton.
And for all budding writers, aged between 5-11 years old, our Creative Writing Competition this year will tie in with Lucy Strange’s gothic-inspired books, and we invite writers to submit a description of an eerie, isolated setting. Find out more below.
ILLUSTRATION WITH STEVEN LENTON
SATURDAY 4TH OCTOBER
Join the multi award-winning illustrator Steven Lenton for a magical time with the How To Grow series of picture books! Learn how Sarah and Mr Pottifer grow unicorns and dragons in the latest book Mermaids.
There will be lots of fun, storytelling, a draw-along and you will help Steven to create a unique magical creature
CALLING FOR VOLUNTEERS!
If you would like to be involved with Bookfest, we would love to hear from you!
We have a wonderful, talented Team who support us and we are looking for individuals who would be able to lend some time over the festival weekend. Please get in touch by emailing us info@cuckfieldbookfest.co.uk.
Don’t forget that priority booking opens next Saturday 9am and general booking Saturday 23rd August! It is not too late to become a Friend or Benefactor – to find out more visit our website.
Best wishes
Cuckfield Bookfest Team