Four Weeks To Go
Dear Festival Friends, This week, one happy announcement, and some very sad news. We were so sorry to learn of the death of Dame Jilly Cooper, who lived locally for many years and loved our part of Gloucestershire. We were lucky enough to welcome Dame Jilly to Stroud Book Festival a few years ago, and it was a joyous occasion. Thank you, Jilly for all the pleasure you gave to so many readers for so many years.
Our happy announcement this week concerns the shortlisted authors for the Laurie Lee Prize 2025 who have just been revealed. Congratulations to all fourteen authors who have made the two shortlists. Full details here. And we’ll be revealing the winners of this year’s Prize at Stroud Book Festival on Sunday 9 November, 5.15pm at Lansdown Hall. Tickets are free but please reserve one here to secure your place.
Tickets remain available for most of our 2025 events but are selling fast. You can browse the full programme in our printed brochure, or at stroudbookfestival.org.uk where you can click through to buy your tickets online. Or go direct to thesubrooms.co.uk. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 01453 796880, or in-person at the Sub Rooms box office (Tuesday-Saturday, 9-4pm).
Still deciding which events to come to? May we suggest:
THE MARCHESA with Sarah Dunant
Thursday 6th November, 6.00 – 7.00pm, Lansdown Hall
Acclaimed writer and broadcaster Sarah Dunant spent four years researching her new novel, The Marchesa which blends fiction, biography and art to tell the colourful and fascinating story of Isabella D’Este. Born in 1474 into an illustrious Italian dynasty, Isabella was the first female art collector and patron of her time, owning and commissioning work from Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian and many other artists.
The Times said of The Marchesa: “Dunant’s Isabella is a triumph — she is too ferocious, too alive to be a mere whisp of a ghost. Dunant gives her a brilliantly lively afterlife”.
Sarah’s talk at Stroud Book Festival will be a richly illustrated lecture and we are promised some dazzling images. Don’t miss it.
LIFE AFTER BIRTH
Sunday 9th November, 10.30 – 11.30am, Lansdown Hall
How was it for you? Does the 21st century experience of birth live up to hopes and expectations or does the reality fall short?
In this compelling event, we’re proud to present two prominent campaigners for a better birth experience for all.
Theo Clarke was a serving MP when she gave birth to her daughter. Rather than the joyful event she had anticipated, it was a hugely traumatic experience during which she was rushed into emergency surgery, terrified she was going to die.
Since then Theo has appeared widely in the UK media, and chaired the first UK inquiry into birth trauma. She has also written a book, Breaking the Taboo which aims to start a long overdue conversation around birth experience.
Leah Hazard is a serving NHS midwife and author whose book, Hard Pushed: A Midwife’s Story details her experiences working on the frontline. She remains an outspoken advocate for improvements in reproductive healthcare.
Please join us for this important event.
See you soon!
With love from
The Stroud Book Festival team x