Staff from the University of Lincoln will be contributing to this year’s Lincoln Book Festival.
The six-day literary festival takes place from 25th to 30th September at venues across the city.
It begins on Monday 25th September at The Collection on Danes Terrace, Lincoln, when the charity First Story will showcase written work by pupils from Lincolnshire schools.
Throughout the week there are talks by leading authors including David Starkey, Alison Weir and Diane Setterfield as well as writers’ workshops, schools activities and local history talks and tours.
University involvement in this year’s festival includes:
* Wednesday 27th September (afternoon): academics from the School of English and Journalism will deliver a masterclass for pupils of local schools and colleges studying Gothic fiction as part of the English Literature A-Level curriculum.
* Thursday 28th September (evening): Dr Scott Brewster from Lincoln’s School of English and Journalism will chair a discussion with novelist Diane Setterfield, author of international bestseller The Thirteenth Tale, on fiction of a Gothic disposition.
* Friday 29th September (evening): Professor Philippa Hoskin from the School of History and Heritage will chair an event with historians Alison Weir and Sarah Gristwood on queenship and the exercise of power by female rulers from the Norman Conquest to the Reformation, followed by a talk by art historian Janina Ramirez on ‘the private lives of the saints’ of Anglo-Saxon England.
* Saturday 30th September (afternoon): Dr Jim Cheshire from the School of History and Heritage will chair an afternoon of talks and tours exploring the revival of Gothic architecture in Victorian England, including a visit to St Nicholas Church on Newport, Lincoln, the first church designed by George Gilbert Scott.
Lincoln Book Festival connects audiences of all ages and interests with some of the UK’s best-loved historians and authors of historical fiction. The festival places ‘history at its heart’ with events exploring historical themes spanning ancient empires to contemporary culture though intimate talks, readings, discussions and Q&As with contributions from acclaimed writers, academics, cultural commentators and public figures.
To view or download the full Lincoln Book Festival programme, visit www.lincolnbookfestival.org.
Tickets are booked via the Lincoln Drill Hall Box Office in person, on 01522 873894 (Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm) or online at www.lincolndrillhall.com. Most events cost £10 per ticket (David Starkey £16) though some have free admission.