Michael Parkinson and Jodi Picoult among Stratford Literary Festival line up

The Stratford Literary Festival will feature some of the UK’s best known authors and journalists in a series of events this winter.

Veteran broadcaster, Sir Michael Parkinson will be speaking at this year’s Stratford Literary Festival, as well as internationally best-selling author, Jodi Picoult. 

The festival will be taking place from 28th October until 17th November in various Stratford venues, with a variety of talks and workshops available.

Who will be appearing at the festival?

The festival will host historian and TV presenter, Lucy Worsley OBE, who will be talking about her latest book The Many Faces of Queen Victoria, and Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman whose book, Bloody Brilliant Women, highlights some forgotten but ground-breaking women from history. 

Two BBC journalists, World Affairs editor John Simpson CB and Economics editor Kamal Ahmed, will be talking about their new books. Simpson, who has covered many major conflicts around the world, brings his experiences to his debut novel, Moscow, Midnight, and Ahmed’s book is an account of growing up in 1970s Britain amongst a culture of racism and suspicion.

The former Guardian editor, Alan Rusbridger, will be considering why news reporting and analysis in a world of fake news and post truth is more important than ever.

The broadcaster and former stand-up comedian, Viv Groskop, will be offering advice on how women can be more effective public speakers.

The festival will also welcome Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch, who will have published the biography of Thomas Cromwell, one of the most notorious figures in history, and James Anthony who has re-written all Shakespeare’s sonnets for the modern audience.

The festival is celebrating the 80th anniversary of The Beano with a drawing workshop lead by Nigel Auchtertounie, artist for the famous comic, and there’ll also be a workshop to create a Christmas decoration with the leading theatre designer, Judy Reaves.

Group information

Tickets can be booked online and accommodation can also be booked in connection with the festival through the website.

GTOs can call 0333 666 3366 for details on taking a group.

For more information, visit www.stratlitfest.co.uk.