Derby Book Festival Autumn Edition opens on Friday!

Derby Book Festival’s Autumn Edition opened on Friday 17th November with 12 events at QUAD plus the Festival Book Fair at the Old Library, Derby Museum & Art Gallery over the weekend.  Tickets can be booked online at https://www.derbybookfestival.co.uk/whats-on/events or in person or by phone at QUAD.

The Festival is organised with the support of all the major arts and cultural partners in the city with funding from the Arts Council England, the University of Derby and over 20 businesses and individuals across the city.
The Festival Book Fair was scheduled to be held at the Museum of Making but, due to the flooding, has been moved to the Old Library.  It took place on Saturday 18th November from 10.30am – 4pm with a range of 30 book-related stalls, including booksellers, book crafts, Book Aid Christmas cards, children’s books and local authors promoting their books.

Festival goers can buy a Festival Pass giving access to all 12 events for a discounted price of £60 (compared to £122 if bought individually).

This year’s 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 12 recorded events, which will be available to watch for six weeks after the Festival ends (from Thursday 23 November to Sunday 31 December) for £20.

Highlights of this year’s Autumn Edition will include events with broadcaster, journalist and author Stuart Maconie (with just a few tickets left), Wes Streeting MP, novelist Nina Stibbe, Irish novelists John Boyne and Anne Griffin, political commentator and journalist Steve Richards, naturalist and environmental campaigner Mark Avery and local world-record holding cyclist Leigh Timmis.

Liz Fothergill CBE, Chair of the Festival says: “Our Autumn Editions always have a very special feel as we approach the festive season.  What better gifts to give to all ages than books!

“Books provide us with adventures into other worlds and lives, exploring new ideas, topics and creating conversations.  We hope our events inspire people to discover new authors and encourage their love of books.  We hope to welcome old and new audiences to our wonderful partner venues at QUAD and the Museum of Making, encouraging people to enjoy the pleasure that books bring to our lives.”

Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “Each year, Derby Book Festival continues to grow, offering new and inspiring events, which promote the importance of reading and celebrate the joy of books.

“As a civic university, we champion the arts and culture of our city, and are therefore delighted to continue to support the Festival. I am personally very passionate about the power of books, and very much hope that people take up the opportunity to enjoy the exciting programme that is on offer this Autumn.”

Following a successful Book Appeal in the summer, organised in partnership with Marketing Derby, the Festival are organising another Children’s Book Appeal to coincide with the Autumn Edition.  In the summer over 800 books were donated and subsequently distributed to 15 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. Two generous partners are welcoming book donations:

• Marketing Derby: Derby City Lab, 19-21 St James’s St DE1 1RF on Tuesday 14th to Friday 17th November (12 – 4pm)
• QUAD, Market Place DE1 3AF on Friday 17th to Sunday 19th November (10am – 8pm)
• Derbion’s Customer Service Desk, (Ask Derbion), located in the middle of the shopping centre by Boots, on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th November (10am – 5pm)

Throughout the Festival there will be a Book Stall at QUAD selling all the books featured at the Festival, plus signed books from festival events, as well as a selection of Book Aid Charity Christmas cards, children’s books and a Mystery Book selection.

The Festival programme, designed by local digital marketing company, Gravity, is available from QUAD, other arts venues, all libraries and tourist offices. Tickets can be booked online at: https://www.derbybookfestival.co.uk/whats-on/events/

or in person or by phone at QUAD.

For further information contact:

Sian Hoyle by email: sian@derbybookfestival.co.uk or by phone on: 0776 1379562