Prize-winning authors, well-known novelists and familiar faces from broadcasting are all set to take part in Chipping Norton Literary Festival on April 21 - 24.

Douglas Stuart, whose novel Shuggie Bain won the 2020 Booker Prize, will be making the Cotswold town one of his few UK dates on his author tour with his next hotly-anticipated book, Young Mungo.

Other distinguished novelists include Louis de Bernières, author of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin; Monica Ali with her first book in a decade, Love Marriage; Tessa Hadley (Free Love), and Costa Novel winner Claire Fuller (Unsettled Ground).

Fast Show star and comedy writer Charlie Higson will present his first thriller for adults in 25 years.

International correspondent Lyse Doucet hopes to join a discussion about a project close to her heart, a collection of short fiction by Afghan women.

This is Oxfordshire:

There’s plenty for lovers of non-fiction, too, with BBC Today presenter Justin Webb talking about his biography The Gift of a Radio, science journalist Jim Al-Khalili describing The Joy of Science and Clover Stroud with her grief memoir about her beloved late sister, Nell Gifford.

 

Medic Adam Kay, best-selling writer of This is Going to Hurt – now being serialised on TV – is bringing his blend of gruesome and hilarious anatomical humour to the Theatre with a family event, Kay’s Marvellous Medicine.

TV historian Dominic Sandbrook will be launching his new series of history books for children, adding to a varied children’s festival packed with stories and creative fun.

ChipLitFest is as strong as ever on nature writing, with guests including Dave Goulson, whose Silent Earth ponders the decline of insect species, Charlie Corbett with 12 Birds to Save Your Life and Hannah Bourne-Taylor’s Fledgling. Visitors can attend a dazzling range of other events with expert writers on art, music, the workplace, mental health, prison, disasters, and comedy.  

Festival director Jenny Dee said: “We’re especially proud of our fiction line-up this year. But as always, there’s something for everyone. We’ve actually got Everything Under The Sun, a children’s book by real QI elf  Molly Oldfield.”

Interactive sessions include a cookery slot, and six writers’ workshops, one offering a chance to learn from Oxford's Mick Herron, the author of the hugely popular Slough House spy novels.

Chipping Norton Literary Festival runs from 21-24 April. Tickets for main events start at £8.50 (children’s £2.50).  

Tickets on sale now at www.chiplitfest.com or 01608 642350