October is Special for Book Lovers in Guildford

Published on: 3 Oct, 2024
Updated on: 3 Oct, 2024

By Alice Fowler

For book-lovers in Guildford, there’s something special about October. What other month of the year can you find international best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith chatting at the Baptist Church; Lynda La Plante sharing stories at the Electric Theatre; and Patrick Grant popping in to tell us why we should buy fewer clothes?

Author Alice Fowler.

Yes, the Guildford Book Festival is back, celebrating its 35th birthday and in excellent form. Highlights this year include talks from acclaimed authors Alison Weir, Kate Mosse and Guildford resident Adele Parks, as well as the much-loved Readers’ Day and History Day, both at West Horsley Place. Patricia Grayburn, who founded the Festival back in 1989, remains President and continues to attend most events.

For a local writer like myself, there’s an extra frisson of delight in seeing an array of Surrey-based authors taking to the stage this year. They include Jody Cooksley and Amy Twigg, both at Readers’ Day: Cooksley discussing her Victorian gothic crime novel, The Small Museum, and Twigg her much-lauded debut, Spoilt Creatures.

For Cooksley, who lives close to Guildford, this year’s Festival is the first she has attended as an author, rather than a reader. “I’m very excited to be taking part in Readers’ Day as it’s like a mini festival in itself,” Cooksley says. “I’m honoured to be on the panel with such a brilliant group of authors and really looking forward to the conversation. It’s always a treat to talk about writing and the setting, West Horsley Place, will make it a really special event.

Kate Mosse a highlight at this year’s festival © Ruth Crafer

“I’ll be discussing The Small Museum, which won The Caledonia Novel Award and was published in hardback, ebook and audiobook in May this year, with a paperback edition coming in February.

It’s set in London and Charmouth, inspired by the Victorian period’s complex relationship with evolutionary science and medicine. However, much of the inspiration for the settings comes from National Trust houses I’ve visited in Surrey.

The kitchens, in particular, are very much based on the wonderful kitchens at Petworth House just over the border in West Sussex. They feature strongly in the sequel, The Surgeon’s House, which is due for publication next year.”

Amy Twigg, who will discuss her acclaimed debut, Spoilt Creatures, moved to Guildford several years ago. “My husband got a job as a video game designer (as I found out then, Guildford is also known as the ‘Hollywood of video games’) so we relocated here.

“I love the area: we’re surrounded by some of the world’s most beautiful countryside, and there’s always something interesting going on. I must give a shout-out to our favourite haunt, Unplug + Play, the local board game cafe – it’s where I go to relax after a day of writing.”

Readers’ Day will be Twigg’s first visit to the Guildford Book Festival. “For some reason I’ve always found festivals a little intimidating, perhaps because most authors are terribly introverted. Now I have no excuse. I’m so looking forward to chatting with readers and learning about other great books, and grateful to be part of Readers’ Day. If you’d asked me a couple of years ago whether I thought I’d be appearing at book festivals and getting to talk about my book, I’m not sure I’d have believed you.”

While Spoilt Creatures is set in Kent, eagle-eyed readers may spot some connections to Surrey too. “It’s about an all-female commune nestled in the Kent Downs, where things gradually go very wrong. Although it’s set in Kent, I wrote the novel here in Guildford, and hopefully readers will recognise the subtle nods to some local landmarks,” Twigg says.

More local writers will take part in a Short Story Showcase, hosted at Zero Carbon Guildford on October 17th, This event I am certain to attend, having organised it – as a short story writer myself – to celebrate the wealth of talented short story writers based in or around the town.

They include fellow Dragon contributor David Reading, whose collection of stories raises money for local charity Challengers; and award-winning writers Ruth Brandt, Julie Evans and Sarah Hegarty. Hegarty will be reading from her brand-new, debut collection, Magpie: And Other Stories, published on September 28^th.

Some of the well known authors appeariong at the book festival.

Other unmissable events include Brief Encounters – journalist and Town Guide Jeff Thomson’s 60-minute stroll through Guildford’s literary links; a literary dinner with Adele Parks, in conversation with her husband Jim; and Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas discussing her latest novel with Elizabeth Buchan. Children have plenty to keep them busy too, with a whole range of inspiring events bookable on the Festival website.

If you fancy writing books yourself, you can even start to learn the ropes, with Rachel Marsh’s five-day online writing course.

Thirty-five years ago, a little-known author named Sebastian Faulks took part in a lunch-time event at the very first Guildford Book Festival. Who knows what future literary giant may be nestled in the programme, this time round?

To book events, see www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk

Guildford author Alice Fowler’s debut collection of short stories, The Truth Has Arms & Legs, was published in 2023. See www.alicefowlerauthor.com