Ryedale Book Festival
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September 2018
October 2018
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Fairy tales for Grown-ups with Jen Campbell
Hear about the fairy tales that inspired Jen Campbell’s collection of short stories “The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night”.
The Story Orchestra: Four Seasons in One Day
The musicians of Eboracum Baroque will be joined by the author and illustrator, Jess Courtney Tickle for a performance and two in interactive workshops including live music and art and craft activities
Schools event – Cressida Cowell
Meet renowned, award-winning author and the illustrator of the best-selling How to Train Your Dragon book series and find out about her latest high-adventure series The Wizard of Once.
Movie Night with Cressida Cowell
Meet award-winning creator of the best-selling How to Train Your Dragon series at this special movie night.
A Musical Memoir with Alan Johnson
Find out about Alan Johnson’s brand-new book, In My Life, A Music Memoir, and see another dimension to the story of this engaging politician.
A Romantic Read with Jane Lovering
Jane Lovering discusses the most recent book in her Yorkshire Romance Series The Little Teashop of Horrors.
Tell us a Dragon – Display of competition entries
An exhibition of entries to the kid’s dragon themed writing and drawing competition.
The Reluctant Dragon
Enjoy this children’s classic before joining in a craft activity inspired by the story.
Zog – Story and biscuit decorating
Enjoy listening to this funny story from the creators of The Gruffalo and then decorate your own Zog biscuit to gobble-up or take-away.
Dragon Dot-to-Dot
Come and meet local writer Jean Illingworth and her illustrator son Jamie and hear about the adventures of Danny Dragon and his little friend Susie.
Sir Scaly Pants the Dragon Knight – Story and ceramics
Listen to the story and paint a ceramic dragon inspired by the book.
A Pastoral Trilogy with Tim Pears
For fans of historical fiction, local history buffs or anyone who appreciates a beautifully told tale.
Wizard School with Elys Dolan
A special Wizard Training Academy where you can make your own potions, create your own trusty sidekick and design your own spells.
Dragon Drawing with Emily Gravett
Draw your own dragon in this illustration workshop with an award winning illustrator.
From Fact to Fiction with Tracy Borman
Tracy Borman discusses her recently published debut novel The King’s Witch and explains why she enjoys having licence to embellish a true story with fictitious detail.
Nick Toczek’s Dragon Show
Dragons-themed magic tricks, stories, puppets and some of the best dragon poems you will have ever heard.
Crime Time with Stephen Booth
An introduction of the gripping new crime thriller, Fall Down Dead, set in in the Peak District.
The Art of the Short Story with Chris Power
A discussion on the very precise art of short story writing and the announcement of the winner of our 2018 Short Story Competition.
The Huntress Trilogy by Sarah Driver
Join the creator of this stunning fantasy adventure for its epic and thrilling conclusion.
Women and Social Media: Sexting, sharing and cyberbullies
An exploration into the challenges of managing an on-line profile and what to do if it spins out of control.
A Bedtime Story with Emily Gravett
Grab a teddy, pull on your PJs and head out for a charming bedtime story
Peter Stafford Bow
Peter Stafford-Bow will be reading from his recently-published novel Corkscrew accompanied by a tutored wine tasting.
An Evening with Alexander McCall Smith
A special 20th Anniversary evening with this extraordinarily accomplished writer, who will be talking about the latest book in his No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series.
Schools Event – Poetry Day
A day celebrating the joy of performance poetry, featuring award-winning author and poet, Wes Magee.
The Lost Words
The Lost Words, written by Robert Macfarlane and illustrated by Jackie Morris is a response to the removal of words such as conker, bramble, fern and kingfisher from the Oxford Junior Dictionary
Botanical Bliss – Appreciating the Essence of Poetry and Gin!
An evening of music and sublime poetry over a gin cocktail.
Gothic Horror with Donna Marie McCarthy
Meet this writer of gothic horror and twisted fairy tales. Discover what inspires Donna’s writing and get to know her favourite characters over coffee.
The Frighteners by Peter Laws
Meet the Baptist Minister who explains why we love being scared by all things that go bump in the night.
Grey Dog Tales from John Linwood Grant
The bearded creature born by the North Sea who loves lurchers will discuss his strange stories.
Goblins & Vampires with Simon Clark
Meet the man who brought Vampires into Leppington and hear about some of his spooky experiences.
Vile Verse with Phil Breach
Enjoy your afternoon tea with poetry as Phil Breach versifies The Wyrd with black-hearted beast tales and blasphemies of the flesh.
Ghostly Goosebumps with Karen Perkins
Have you ever been certain you’re being watched, only to realise there’s no one in the room? Most of us have a sensitivity to spirit, but we have many different reactions to it. Karen Perkins explores her own ghostly experiences through her Yorkshire Ghost Stories. Ryedale Spook Fest is the perfect occasion for everyone fascinated by the spectral to share their encounters with the supernatural. Suitable for ages 14+
Writing Revealed
A panel of horror writers, publishers and editors will be awaiting your questions about the journey to becoming a published writer.
The Power and the Glory of Metrical Poetry
Sign-up for a 2-hour workshop to write and develop your own piece of metrical poetry with the support of poet Phil Breach.