Durham Book Festival is back! Here's what you can expect

Taking place at Gala Durham, Clayport Library and Collected Books between 13 and 15 October, the festival offers 35 events with more than 40 authors over a bustling long weekend.

Durham Book Festival is produced by New Writing North on our behalf with support from Durham University and Arts Council England.

This year's festival highlights

Highlights of the programme include a chilling evening of modern ghost stories with the internationally acclaimed writer Jeanette Winterson; North East political thinkers Chris Mullin and Sebastian Payne on what might be next for the region as we approach devolution; and broadcaster Melanie Sykes on her autism diagnosis aged 51 and experience of being a neurodivergent person in a neurotypical world.

Audiences will also enjoy a sense of escape - whether it is a deliciously cosy foray into Comfort Eating with food critic Grace Dent; the day in the life of a Lake District farm, as seen through the eyes of farmer's wife Helen Rebanks; or an afternoon of the most exciting new crime fiction, curated by number one bestseller Ruth Ware, and featuring Trevor Wood and Nasheema Lennon.

There is a real Durham flavour to this year's programme. In a world exclusive, the festival presents an abridged dramatic live reading of Cuddy, Durham author Benjamin Myers' acclaimed novel, directed by Live Theatre's Jack McNamara. Cuddy traces the story of St Cuthbert through the centuries, through the voices of ordinary people, to his final resting place in Durham.

In celebration of Cuddy, the festival plays host to bestselling historian Janina Ramirez, who will talk about the lives of the female saints, including those who were Cuthbert's contemporaries. The festival will also host a special guided walk, Cuddy's Corse, following St Cuthbert's journey from Chester-le-Street into Durham.

This year's Festival Laureate - supported by Durham University - is the Faber poet and author of England's Green, Zaffar Kunial. Kunial will read from new work inspired by Durham and commissioned especially for the festival.

Durham writer Pip Fallow was destined for the pit - but the closure of his village's mine in the 1980s saw him at the back of the dole queue, like so many of his contemporaries. His book, Dragged Up Proppa, tells the story of that lost generation and where they are today.

Elsewhere, the festival invites us to look ahead. In What Does the Future Hold? social anthropologists from Durham University, curated by Professor Simone Abram, invite us to explore ideas about the future as seen from the perspectives of different people, whether they are athletes, refugees or engineers.

Meanwhile this year's Little Read title - the beautiful picture book, Moth, by Isabel Thomas and Daniel Egnéus -inspires the youngest readers to understand and care for their planet. 500 free copies will be distributed to children and families through County Durham libraries this autumn.

The Little Read book giveaway is accompanied by fun events for families at Clayport Library, including storytimes with Seven Stories, a science workshop, and even the chance to get crafty with mushrooms with 'climate hope' organisation, Threads in the Ground.

'A long weekend of brilliant writers, speakers and creative workshops'

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, our Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "We are delighted to be commissioning New Writing North to bring back Durham Book Festival for 2023. This much-loved festival is a central part of our events programme. Each year the festival brings incredibly exciting writers to Durham but also nurtures local talent. We are confident that there's something for everyone with the wide variety of events and talks scheduled."

Rebecca Wilkie, Director of Durham Book Festival, New Writing North, said: "We're thrilled to be bringing Durham Book Festival back to Millennium Place for a long weekend of brilliant writers, speakers and creative workshops for all ages.

"We're celebrating the history of Durham and St Cuthbert, as well as exploring themes ranging from North East politics to the NHS and neurodiversity to the joy of food. Climate change and evolution are the themes of our Little Read picture book, Moth by Isabel Thomas and Daniel Egnéus, which will be available for young readers and their families to pick up in libraries across County Durham.

"All our events at Gala Durham will be live-streamed and live-captioned, so if you can't make it to Durham we hope you'll join us from home."

Professor Janet Stewart, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Humanities, Durham University said: "As an institution of learning, it is a pleasure to welcome the wealth of talent and creativity that the Festival brings to our city. This talent and creativity enriches both the work of the university and the local community."

Accessibility at this year's festival

Accessibility is key at Durham Book Festival. All events at Gala Durham will be live-captioned by Stagetext and all venues are fully accessible. Can't make it to Durham? Let the festival come to you. All Gala Durham events will be available to livestream for just £5 per household.