The write stuff

The Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival this week announced a stellar line-up of best-selling authors, influential politicians, stars of the screen, and literary world.

Tying in with Harrogate International Festivals’ over-arching theme of Generations, the line-up is designed to celebrate literature and ideas passed down, honoured or reinvented through the ages.

One of the UK’s most renowned broadcasters, Joan Bakewell, will discuss her thoughtful and spirited book, Stop the Clocks. Woman’s Hour presenter, Jenni Murray, presents A History of Britain in 21 Women exploring the inspiring women who revolutionized our world, from forgotten visionaries to trailblazing politicians.

Acclaimed journalist Miranda Sawyer is in conversation with Marina Benjamin, author of The Middlepause, as the two authors redefine the fifty-something woman. Martin Sixsmith is the journalist and author of the remarkable Philomena, adapted into the award-winning film starring Steve Coogan and Judi Dench. Ayesha’s Gift tells the story of a daughter seeking the truth of her father’s death in Pakistan. Their search of the truth, leads to an extraordinarily moving and unforeseen end for them both.

In 1976, broadcaster Peter Snow married Anna MacMillan, the great granddaughter of David Lloyd George. Their book War Stories: Gripping Tales of Courage, Cunning and Compassion, spans four continents and four centuries, celebrating the true stories of men and women whose wartime experiences are beyond compare. Telling the story of revolutionary engineering is Julian Glover, with Man of Iron: Thomas Telford and The Building of Britain in conversation with the American author and former literary editor of The Times, Erica Wagner, with her personal story, Chief Engineer: The Man Who Built The Brookyln Bridge.

Literary lovers can be swept away with the author Victoria Hislop, with her new novel, Cartes Postales from Greece. Also featuring is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep, Joanna Cannon. Sophie Kinsella, who has sold over 36 million books, will talk about her funny, fast and farcical new hit, My Not So Perfect Life. And Loose Women presenter, and actress Denise Welch will discuss her novel, If They Could See Me Now. For foodies, Eastenders actress and chef Lisa Faulkner takes the drama out of cooking with her cookbook, From Mother to Mother: Recipes from a Family Kitchen. Other top names appearing include the politician-turned-Strictly star, Anne Widdecombe and Mark Muller Stuart QC, who specialises in humanitarian issues and conflict resolution, tells the story of the Arab Spring in Storm in the Desert. The Festival will also host its third Yorkshire Post Literary Lunch with mountaineer Chris Bonnington, exploring his inspiring achievements in his autobiography, Ascent – A Life Spent Climbing on the Edge.

Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival 19-22 October. Tickets are on sale now 01423 562 303.