
25-27 April 2025
Full programme of talks and workshops for adults and children
Friday 25 April
From 2pm
Thomas Heatherwick
The visionary designer of cultural landmarks calls for an end to the 'blandemic' of boring buildings that are bad for society and harmful for the planet. Heatherwick Studio has become one of the most diverse and inventive creative institutions in the world. Thomas Heatherwick's campaign for joy and humanity in our cities led to his book Humanise.
Monique Roffey
The Costa-winning author of The Mermaid of Black Conch speaks about her new book, Passiontide. It’s an ‘unruly glory’ of a novel about four women who spark a revolution on a Caribbean island. Monique Roffey has published seven novels and a memoir.
Ashley Hickson-Lovence
The award-winning author of three novels takes us to the Wild East where 14-year-old Ronny’s world is opening to rap and poetry. ‘When life’s off track, put pen to paper and find your way back.’ Ashley Hickson-Lovence’s previous novel, The392, is set entirely on a bus; Your Show is the trail-blazing story of referee Uriah Rennie.
Saturday 26 April
From 11am
Refugees
What is literature’s role in the refugee-crisis? How can writing help people fleeing war and persecution? Among our panel are Tom Gaisford, author of Sanctuary, and Tawseef Khan who wrote Determination and Muslim, Actually. Our chair is Lucy Popescu, editor of A Country To Call Home and A Country of Refuge.
Thrillers
Thriller writers reveal the tricks of their genre. Lesley Kara, whose Sunday Times bestseller The Rumour is being adapted for TV, introduces her new tale of menace, The Other Tenant. The author from Tunbridge Wells is in conversation with Emma Cook, whose debut novel You Can't Hurt Me follows a ghost writer obsessed with the mystery of a woman born unable to feel pain. Emma Cook has also published two non-fiction titles, Ask Your Father and 5:2 Your Life. She is Assistant Editor at Observer Magazine.
Giles Foden
The award-winning author of The Last King of Scotland tells all about his new novel, Thirst. Namibia, 2039; an environmental scientist goes in search of a hidden-water source that risks falling into the wrong hands. Giles Foden is a former editor of The Times Literary Supplement. He is the author of six novels and one work of non-fiction. The Last King of Scotland was made into an Oscar-winning feature film.
Sunday 27 April
From 11am
Antony Penrose
The photographer, filmmaker, and author Antony Penrose, son of the celebrated wartime photographer Lee Miller and Sir Roland Penrose, talks about his mother and writing her biography, The Lives of Lee Miller. Antony Penrose is director of the Lee Miller Archive and Penrose Collection at his parents' former home, Farley Farm House, in East Sussex. His writing inspired the recent feature film Lee, starring Kate Winslet.
Elizabeth Macneal
The author of The Doll Factory and Circus of Wonders, both Sunday Times bestsellers, speaks about her new novel, The Burial Plot, a story of murder and manipulation, set in 1830s Richmond. Elizabeth Macneal will be in conversation with Rebecca Stott, who featured at our inaugural festival with her historical novel, Dark Earth.
Alex Preston
We're delighted to welcome back Alex Preston, to smuggle us some secrets about his forthcoming novel, Rye. The sequel to Winchelsea features the grandson of smuggler Goody Brown and was recently previewed on BBC Radio 4. Alex Preston is the author of three historical novels and a work of non-fiction.
Workshops
Poetry Workshop
Saturday 27th April
Put your poetic pen to paper with Dr Ashley Hickson-Lovence, poet, novelist, literary critic and and lecturer of Creative Writing on UEA’s prestigious MA. Ashley has published three novels and a poetry collection, Why I am Not a Bus Driver.