Harrogate History Writing Festival

Returning for 2014 the little sister of the Theakston's Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival the Harrogate History Festival bursts back onto the scene for its Second year.

Building on the success of 2013 the Harrogate Festivals Team have an exciting and challenging line up of which we will do a quick sum up below - they also do a rover ticket which gets you into all events for a set price.

Historical Fiction Awards and Opening Party - Thursday 23rd of October at the Old Swan Hotel - history writings answer to the Oscars. Price includes a glass of wine and opportunity to meet the short listed contenders such as Kate Worsley, David kirk and Elizabeth Gifford.

 Special Guest - Bernard Cornwell - Tickets for this rare public opportunity are selling fast but are currently still available - 9am on the 24th of October. £11

Special Guest Elizabeth Chadwick - 24th October10.30am £11 - Elizabeth has written over 20 historical novels and been published in 18 languages. She is currently most well known for her currant series of Eleanor of Aquitaine series notably Summer Queen and The Winter Crown bringing historical fiction writing into the mainstream.

They die in the End - Friday 24th October - £7 - 4 exceptional authors (James Aitcheson, Toby Clements, Michael Ridpath and Robert Wilton and chaired by Robert Goddard) bring us into their world of Historical Fiction exposing the secrets of how to write and interesting and plot worthy novel in a genre where the end in many cases is already known. 

New Blood - Friday 24th of October 2pm £7 - You will hear it here in Harrogate first - new authors entering the genre are brought to the fore in the debut panel where the best of the currant crop are showcased to the public. This is also a good event if you are interested in getting a book published as the authors will be interviewed about their experiences in the world of publishing.
  
Alison weir in conversation with Sarah Gristwood - Friday 24th October 3.30pm £11. Coming from 2 different standpoints these two literary giants discuss the role of women in the time of King Richard III - both authors have tackled the meaty issues of royal ladies during the period and expect a heated and lively debate.

Elizabeth Fremantle in conversation with Suzannah Dunn - Friday 24th October 5pm £11 - Duscussion of Women and power - particular emphasis on the first Queen's that ruled Britain as well as the necessity of keen historical research.

Sandi Toksvig interviewed by Manda Scott = Friday 24th of October 8.3pm tickets £11 - forget discs what books would you take to your dessert island?

Special Guest - Peter Snow - Saturday 25th October 9am talking about his new book "When Britain Burnt the White House" set just 31 years after the war of independence.

James Naughtie interviewed by Robert Wilton - Saturday 25th October 10.30am £11 from the master of interrigation sees his debut novel "The Madness of July" is an intriguing look into politics and espionage. Robert Wilton is the person to interview with his award winning Comptrollerate-General Series of historical espionage thrillers.

Black Cats and Broomsticks - Saturday 25th October 12pm £7.Tracy Borman, Paula Brackston, Elizabeth Gifford and Karen Maitland discuss their views on Magic, myth with author and chair Katherine Clements.

Charlotte Higgins and Richard Hobbs - Saturday 25th October £11 - Chrlotte Higgins examines the imprint of the Romans on British history, landscape and imagination. Dr Richard Hobbs being the curator of Romano-British collections at he British Museum also knows one or two things about the Romans!

Sarah Dunant in Conversation with S J Parris - Saturday 25th October 3.30pm £11  - Following the history of Renaissance Europe is SJ Parris the pseudonym of Stephanie Merritt - discussing her new novel Blood and Beauty brimming with the colour of 15thC Italy. Parris's thrillers follow the Italian Renegade Monk Giordano Bruno and her latest installment Treachery is out now.

Irving Finkel - Saturday 25th October 5pm £11 - Dr Finkel is one of the few people in the modern world who can read cuneiform tablets from the Mesopotamian era and was approached on day in the museum by  gentleman who had found an old tablet in a box of his fathers - needless to say this item was instructions on how to Build and ARC! channel 4 have taken up the challenge and have decided to build an Arc to the tablet's specifications - the Doctor tells about the tablet and the impact it has had on his life.

Authors Dinner - 25th October 6.15pm £30 - featuring Harry Sidebottom, Edouardo Alert, Leanda de Lisle, David Reynolds and Andrew Taylor and combined with dinner. Together with Salon North the Festival Team will be be giving you a literal taste of the period with foods that would have been served at the time - featuring Holy Roman Empire, 18th Cambridge and 1930's Britain.

Conn Iggulden- Saturday 25th October 8.30pm Tickets £11 - Conn Iggulden made history with his volume "Dangerous Book for Boys" and made a simultanious number 1 in fiction and non fiction with his handbook for sons and dads the world over. He is following up his success in this arena with a sequel to Stormbird his top 10 best seller in the History Novel Genera so keep your eyes peeled for Trinity in his Wars of The Roses Series due to be released on the 25th of September..

The Road to Rome - Saturday 25th of October 10pm £7 - ThreetRoman authors walking from the amphitheatre in Capua to the Colosseum in Rome all in aid of Doctors without Borders and Combat Stress - the results equal one very entertaining film and 3 inspiring men raising money for charity. The men behind this event are Ben Kane, Tony Riches and Russ Whitfield.

If walls could talk - Sunday 26th October 10am £7 - Lucy Lethbridge looks at the world of social history through the eyes of those who served. In the true Downton Abbey traidtion Tessa Boase explores one of the toughest jobs a woman could want following 5 head housekeepers. Dr Pamela Fox focuses on Victorian shop girls following their work, culture and economic contribution. Last but not least is  Antonia Hodgson debut author of The Devil in Marshalsea chairs exploring the lives of the "invisible women" and their under documented lives.

Training The Dragon - Sunday 26th October £7 - The Vikings the Dragons of the North and a 300 year old Saga seeking land and treasure. However the Vikings also became Christian Kings and were the first proponents of Democracy. Take the journey with authors Margaret Elphinstone, Giles Kristian, Rob Low, Phil Stevens and chair Gareth Williams as they explore this era.

50 Shades of Grail - Sunday 26th October 3.30pm £7 - Are you looking for the Holy Grail? looking at on of HIstory's greatest myths and how it all started. Are they gifts to authors or are they traps? Making the difficult choice between truth and legend. Join Angus Donald, Tom Harper and James Wild will debunk some of the most iconic legends and myths including Robin Hood and Hereward the Wake (please note this event may include Men in Tights!)

Weekend Break packages include

Weekend Rover Ticket - £180 for all events (does not include authors dinner)
Friday Rover - £65
Saturday Rover - £75 - but does not include authors dinner which must be booked separately

All tickets and events to be booked through www.harrogateinterntionalfestivals.com or over the phone 01423562303

There are also accommodation packages available on site at The Old Swan or we are 6 miinutes walk from the venue.