Summer Festival ends with a sell-out event!

Derby Book Festival’s Summer programme ended last week with a sell-out event at Derby Theatre featuring BBC News presenter Clive Myrie in conversation with former BBC Correspondent James Rodgers. The 550-seater theatre sold out several weeks before the event and the audience were thrilled by the engaging, moving and informative discussion between the two journalists.

Clive discussed his book Everything Is Everything: A Memoir of Love, Hate & Hope, in which he writes about growing up in Bolton before undertaking a law degree and being called to the Bar, but then taking up a traineeship with the BBC. The audience were moved by his accounts of the racism he had experienced and were also fascinating by James Rodgers' experiences as a BBC Russian correspondent, both of them opening people's eyes to the dangers journalists experience and the threats in the world today.

During his visit, Clive presented the winner of this year’s 50-word Flash Fiction Writing Competition (12 – 17 age category), Grace Etuwewe with a framed bookmark comprising of her winning story, illustrated by University of Derby Illustration student, Sama Abu Khalaf. Grace and her parents also attended the event as guests of the Festival. This year the organisers have planned three Festivals: in spring, summer and the Autumn Edition to come from 14 – 19 November.

Now in its ninth year, there will be a total of around 80 book- related events in venues across the city including QUAD, Derby Theatre, Artcore and Derby Museums.

Derby Book Festival is a charity and relies on funding from Arts Council England and the University of Derby with sponsorship from several local businesses and individuals, as well as from ticket and book sales. Highlights of this year’s Festival have been Patrick Grant, judge on The Great British Sewing Bee, who also had a sell-out event in June at Derby Theatre, sponsored by Smith Partnership; Guardian journalist Polly Toynbee and political commentator James O’Brien on How They Broke Britain, both sponsored by Geldards.

Sian Hoyle, Festival Director said: “This has been our most successful since the Pandemic with events for all ages and interests – in particular expanding our offer for families and children. Politics continue to be our most popular genre and we have been delighted to have welcomed some of the country’s most high profile broadcasters and political figures. “We have one more Festival to come in 2024 and we are just putting the finished touches to another fascinating programme.”

Professor Keith McLay, Provost (Learning and Teaching) at the University of Derby and Chair of the Festival said: “Derby Book Festival is an important part of our city and region’s cultural year, bringing income and new audiences to city venues, as well as new ideas and challenging thinking from celebrated authors, politicians and broadcasters.

“2025 will be the Festival’s tenth year and we plan to deliver an exciting, challenging and engaging programme of events for Derby.”

In addition to the Festival programmes, Derby Book Festival has a growing community programme which includes events for primary and secondary schools, the Derby Children’s Picture Book Award and a Flash Fiction writing competition. They also have a Shared Reading programme, funded by National Lottery, which supports health and wellbeing. It comprises small groups, led by volunteers, across the city meeting to listen and respond to the spoken word.

The arts in the UK are struggling and, in order for the Festival to survive we are seeking new sponsors to support us. To ensure the Festival’s long term viability we are looking for new sponsors to support us - find out more about becoming a Festival sponsor online.

The Autumn Edition programme will be available from all Festival venues from Tuesday 1 October when tickets go on sale.