Open Mic night for all budding and established writers to perform in the Cafe Bar, anything goes from poetry to prose. To perform please sign up on the night!.

Join Professor Chris French and Dr Callum Cooper as they explain the weird worlds of paranormal experiences and creepy coincidences through a decidedly sceptical lens.

Drop-in activities, family reading, crafts, stalls and special shows and of course lots of books on sale and available to read!

The results of our festival competition which invited budding authors to craft a compelling short story in precisely 50 words. Wannabe wordsmiths submitted their own super short stories on the theme of “generations” and these are the winning entries!

Jarvis’s books include Bear and Bird, an illustrated fiction series that follows the funny mix-ups and comic misunderstandings between a pair of best friends. His picture books include Follow Me, Flo!, Tropical Terry, Mrs Mole, I’m Home!, Thank You, The Boy with Flowers in His Hair, which won the 2023 Oscar’s Book Prize and the Indies Book Prize, and Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth, which won the V&A Best Illustrated Book.

Drop-in activities, family reading, crafts, stalls and special shows and of course lots of books on sale and available to read!

Mama G will be sharing original stories and songs, and some of the best picture books on the market, in an uplifting story time for the whole family. There'll be dancing and giggles galore as Mama G shares the power of being who you want and loving who you are! Described as "Everyone's favourite pantomime dame," (Metro), Mama G has been telling stories for the last six years.

Mama G will be sharing original stories and songs, and some of the best picture books on the market, in an uplifting story time for the whole family. There'll be dancing and giggles galore as Mama G shares the power of being who you want and loving who you are! Described as "Everyone's favourite pantomime dame," (Metro), Mama G has been telling stories for the last six years.

The first rule of Book Club Club is you must talk about books.

Audrey Golden is the author of 'I Thought I Heard You Speak': Women at Factory Records (White Rabbit Books). Jane Savidge (co-founder and head of legendary PR company Savidge & Best- widely credited as being one of the main instigators of the Britpop movement) represented Suede & Pulp and is the author of the recent 33/1/3 title 'This Is Hardcore'.

What does a great ghost story need? How do we make a ghost story ‘scary’? Who are our favourite ghost story writers and why? During the sessions we discuss many of the fascinating aspects of ghost story writing. Led by writer and theatre-maker Adam Robinson who runs creative writing workshops for adults and young people for First Story, Arvon and Opera North.

Come and meet Anna Terreros-Martin, author-Illustrator of The Friendly Mammoth & Can You See The Stars Tonight? From a young age, Anna spent a lot of my childhood surrounded by nature and wildlife. From looking for frogs and tadpoles in ponds to playing explorer and making dens in the forests, she always found peace and magic in the natural world.