George Alagiah

TICKETS are now on sale for the 2013 Bishop’s Stortford College Festival of Literature, running February 1-8.

Julia Donaldson

Headlining the fourth chapter of the annual festival is award-winning journalist and BBC television news presenter George Alagiah who will talk about his latest book, A Home from Home, in which he describes some of the challenges he has faced as an immigrant in multicultural Britain.

In his unique and inimitable style, science populariser Adam Hart-Davis will reflect on What Made Britain Great, whilst Liverpool poet Brian Patten takes a sometimes funny, sometimes dark, sometimes heart-rendering journey through life.

Those who love storytelling at its best can hear Debs Newbold deliver an explosive and emotive retelling of the legend of Lear, King of the Britons; Atinuke will share often hilarious and always moving stories based on old myths and ancient tales from Africa and renowned artist as well as writer Jackie Morris who will talk through her early illustrations when learning her craft, to current projects.

Accomplished playwright and debut novelist Rachel Joyce, in conversation with News Statesman editor Jason Cowley, will describe her extraordinary journey towards being longlisted for the Man Booker Prize with The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, writer and publisher Christoper Lloyd will consider why people play sport and former Olympic gold medallist Ben Hunt-Davis (Will It Make The Boat Go Faster) introduced by Bernie Cotton MBE, will talk about doing things differently to succeed.

Rachel Joyce

In addition there will be events for schools during the daytime, including radio broadcaster Simon Mayo, children’s authors Gill Lewis and Siobhan Rowden, storyteller Atinuke, and the presentation of the Picture Book Award by Children’s Laureate, Julia Donaldson MBE.

Tickets for the 2013 Festival of Literature, which runs from February 1-8 next year, are now on sale. For further details, including event listings and booking information, visit bishops-stortford-college.herts.sch.uk