Dear Festival Friends

We hope by now you’ve had a chance to browse through our fabulous 2024 Stroud Book Festival brochure either in printed form or at stroudbookfestival.org.uk, and are looking forward to being part of our annual celebration of stories, ideas and community, starting in a little under four weeks’ time.

If you’re still deciding which events to book, here are a few suggestions for your Festival weekend:

 

For adults: THE STORY OF A HEART with Rachel Clarke

Saturday 9 November, Sub Rooms, 2.30pm 

It’s easy to forget in this fractured world that most people, most of the time, try to be good. After writing this book, I don’t think I ever will.

So says Rachel Clarke of her book, “The Story of a Heart”. The heart in question was transplanted from nine-year-old Keira who died from her catastrophic injuries after a car accident, to nine-year-old Max whose heart was failing due to a virus. It is a story which encapsulates both the wonders of modern medicine, and human altruism at its most moving and magnificent.

Just this week shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize, the UK’s leading non-fiction award, this incredibly special book is about life, death, and the most remarkable way in which something good and positive and beautiful and miraculous was snatched from the worst circumstances possible.

Don’t miss what promises to be an enthralling and ultimately uplifting event with a brilliant speaker.

 

For anyone who has a teddy bear, aged 5-105!

BARTIE BRISTLE & OTHER STORIES with the Teddy Bear Ladies of BBC’s The Repair Shop

Sunday 10 November, Lansdown Hall, 1.45pm

Anyone who has ever loved a teddy bear should get their paws down to Lansdown Hall as Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch, the famed Teddy Bear Ladies of wildly popular BBC programme, “The Repair Shop”, join us to talk about their first children’s book.

Teddy bears and their owners alike will receive a warm welcome at this cuddly event, which promises to be something of a Teddy Bear’s Picnic with added stories.

 

Finally, we have exciting news!

THE LAURIE LEE PRIZE 2024

Today marks the announcement of the shortlists for the 2024 Laurie Lee Prize. With six writers shortlisted in the 16-20 years category, and twelve in the over 21 years category, we send our congratulations to them all. You can find the full list of shortlistees on our website here.

And why not come along to the Laurie Lee Prize Winner Announcement at Lansdown Hall on Sunday 10^th November, 5.30-6.30pm. Tickets are free but please register beforehand. See here for more information on how to do so.

 

For all our other events you can buy your Stroud Book Festival tickets online from thesubrooms.co.uk. You can also book by calling 01453 796880, or in-person at the box office at the Sub Rooms (Tuesday-Saturday, 9-4pm).

And please do follow us on social media for all the latest Festival updates.

Twitter: @bookstroud

Facebook: facebook.com/stroudbookfestival

Instagram: instagram.com/stroudbookfestival

 

See you soon!

With love from

The Stroud Book Festival team x