The Hexham Book Festival 2010 will be as exciting as ever with a great mix of author events across many genres – food, poetry, crime, fiction, film and children’s events.

What links books about food, wine, landscape, crime, history, politics and poetry? They are all on offer at the Fifth Hexham Book Festival featuring an outstanding line-up of award-winning writers, leading thinkers, controversial speakers and bon viveurs. 

Join historian and writer Philippa Gregory at Alnwick Castle on murder and betrayal in fifteenth century England, quaff a hundred wines with Guardian columnist Simon Hoggart, discover why writers love landscape with Margaret Drabble, expect wise words from veteran politician Shirley Williams and find a cure for love with poet Wendy Cope.

Get cracking with the Big Festival Read, Graham Green’s Brighton Rock; then join readers and writers after a screening of the film at the Forum Cinema.

New for 2010, the Hexham Book Festival is thrilled to welcome Val McDermid as Sunday’s guest director.

Special ticket offers and deals to be booked direct with the Queen's Hall Box Office 01434 652477.
[Tickets to Hexham Forum events available direct from Hexham Forum 01434 601144.]

Hexham Book Fesitval is run as a partnership with Queen's Hall Arts.

Programme.

Friday 23 April:
4.00pm Philippa Gregory at Alnwick Castle | £6.00

Tuesday 27 April:
7.30pm Book Group Forum | Free

Wednesday 28 April:
10.00am SPRUNG! A Writing Day for All at Shepherds Dene l £30 - SOLD OUT
4.30pm At The Mike: Performance Poetry Workshop l £8.00 (£10.00 inc Poetry Slam)
7.00pm A L Kennedy Words | £6.00
8.30pm Poetry Slam with Kate Fox | £4.00

Thursday 29 April
10.00am A L Kennedy: Masterclass at Forum Cinema | £9.00
12.30pm Jodi Picoult | £4.00
4.30pm Read Regional Poetry Event with New Writing North | Free
6.00pm Ruth Padel talks to Neil Astley | £6.00
8.00pm Wendy Cope | £9.00

Friday 30 April
Food at the Festival Special Ticket Offer - LAST FEW SEATS
Enjoy both the morning and afternoon food events with a 2 course lunch and a glass of wine for just £25 at Bouchon Bistro, winner of the F-Word’s Best French Bistro 2009.

10.30am River Cottage Authors, Daniel Stevens & Nick Fisher | £6.00
2.00pm Tamasin Day-Lewis, Supper for a Song | £7.00
6.00pm Too Much Information with Jo Bell & Jenn Ashworth | £3.50 - CANCELLED
8.00pm An Evening with Shirley Williams l £12.00 | £10.00 (conc) - SOLD OUT

Saturday 1 May
10.30am My Superhero Pet Competition with Andy Cope & actor Judi Earl | Free
11.30am Storytelling from Chris Bostock £2.50 (children), parents free
12.00noon North East Literary History from New Writing North | Free
2.00pm Stephen Anderton & Catherine Horwood at the Garden Station, Langley £10.00 inc tea & cakes
2.00pm Martin Wainwright & Ian Thompson talk to Sheilagh Matheson £6.00
2.00pm Janey Louise Jones: Princess Poppy | £3.00 (ages 3+), parents free
2.30pm A Twilight Spectacular At the Forum Cinema (strictly 12+) | £5.50 Tickets from www.forumhexham.co.uk or 01434 601144
3.00pm Barbara Trapido & Susan Fletcher | £6.00
3.30pm Andrew Cope Spy Dog the next mission | £3.00 (ages 7+), parents free
3.30 pm Storytelling from Chris Bostock £2.50 (children), parents free
4.30pm Simon Hoggart | £9.00
6.30pm Wine Tasting with Simon Hoggart | £12.00 - SOLD OUT

(Simon Hoggart Show & Wine Tasting Combined Ticket £20.00)

8.00pm Margaret Drabble | £7.00

Sunday 2 May
with Guest Director Val McDermid
11.00am P.D.James Interviewed by Val McDermid | £8.00 - SOLD OUT
12.30pm Laura Wilson: Crime Writing Master Class | £10 includes light lunch - SOLD OUT
1.00pm Festival Read Event: Brighton Rock Book & Film with Michael Chaplin at the Forum Cinema £5.50 | £4.50 (conc) Tickets from www.forumhexham.co.uk or Tel 01434 601144
2.00pm Gareth P Jones: Dragon Detective Agency | £3.00 (children aged 7+)
4.00pm Ann Cleeves & Martyn Waites | £5.00
5.30pm Emerald Noir | £5.00
7.30pm Who Are You? Truth and fiction in forensic science: Val McDermid in conversation with Professor Sue Black | £7.00

Crime Offer - 4 shows for £20.00 (P.D.James, Ann Cleeves & Martyn Waites, Emerald Noir & Who Are You?)

For more details pick up a festival programme in the foyer.