North East authors join forces at book festival

Ann Cleeves, Steph McGovern and Eliza Clark are part of the Durham Book Festival line-up

A book festival's return will bring together different generations of North East writers, its organisers say.

Durham Book Festival will take place between 10 and 12 October, hosting Dame Pat Barker, Steph McGovern, Eliza Clark and Ann Cleeves, whose books have been adapted into TV shows Vera and Shetland.

Former White House national security adviser Fiona Hill, who was born in Bishop Auckland, will also launch a podcast series as part of a festival commission.

"It feels very strong in terms of Northern voices this year, which is exciting," festival director Rebecca Wilkie said.

Ms Wilkie said the line-up featured several generations of authors.

"It feels wonderful to bring them together and it's hopefully reflected in the audiences that come along to the events," she said.

"I hope that it's inspirational for emerging writers or people that would like to be writers."

Fiona Hill will be discussing her new podcast series at the festival

Booker Prize winner Barker, from Durham, will discuss her forthcoming memoir with her daughter Anna Barker during the festival.

Ms Wilkie said the book was not expected to be published for "at least another year".

"This is a very exclusive work-in-progress event with one of Britain's most revered novelists," she added.

Whitley Bay's Cleeves and broadcaster McGovern, from Middlesbrough, will discuss the latter's debut crime thriller, Deadline.

A special festival commission will also see the launch of Forged in the North, a four-series podcast by Dr Hill, featuring singer Sting and Dragons' Den star Sara Davies.

Dr Hill, who is the chancellor of Durham University, will also be in conversation with Northumberland-born bestselling author LJ Ross and Romani storyteller Richard O'Neill on how the North East shaped their writing.

Durham University alumni broadcaster Jeremy Vine will also discuss his debut crime novel, Murder on Line One.

As well as featuring well-known names, the festival will also give a platform to emerging writers at a scratch night, where they can share their work.

Creative writing workshops will also be held.

'Truly inspirational'

Thousands of people are expected to attend the events and visitor numbers have been growing.

"Across the whole country, we all felt post-Covid that audiences were down," Ms Wilkie said.

"I know that theatres and festivals across the whole country felt this, but they are now coming back.

"Certainly last year's festival felt like a return to those pre-pandemic times.

"It was wonderful to just be in a room with all these people that love books and wanted to share that with each other."

Durham County Council's cabinet member for economy and partnerships Lyndsey Fox, said this year's line-up was "truly inspirational".

"I hope it encourages aspiring authors, poets and journalists from County Durham to follow their dreams," she added.