Book festival to celebrate the authors who call Herts home

Herts Book Festival is on the lookout for authors, volunteers and sponsors ahead of its return later this month. The festival celebrates the dozens of brilliant authors who call the county home. Hertford and Ware alone have at least 22 book clubs and 15 booksellers, two amazing libraries, and tens of thousands of potential readers.

Organisers are looking for people “to help bring the Herts Book Festival 2023 to life”. Organisers said: “We are currently recruiting for a variety of roles and responsibilities. Previous experience isn’t necessary, but a love of books and a dose of community spirit is appreciated.

Could you spare some time to help encourage a love of books in your local community?” Read more: Popular two-day Lego convention that brings together country’s best amateur builders to return to Ware Priory The festival, which is a member of the Global Association of Literary Festivals that connects literature festivals around the world, is run by a small committee of multi-taskers who “believe in the power of strong community spirit”.

They added: “Drawing our inspiration from the number of talented published authors we have on our doorstep, the Herts Book Festival is a free event for people of all reading ages and abilities – because we believe books are for everyone.”

Roxy Eloise, author of The Guidal, and Abena Eyeson, author of Looking Up at Herts Book Festival 2022Roxy Eloise, author of The Guidal, and Abena Eyeson, author of Looking Up at Herts Book Festival 2022

The first festival last year drew together more than 1,000 visitors, 40 local authors, 30 volunteers, 60 local dance performers, five local storytellers, and two local independent bookshops to celebrate books, stories and storytelling in a series of free and family-friendly events. In addition to author panels, writers’ workshops, a book exchange, live storytelling and poetry classes for children, the festival also donated a number of books to local charities. Herts Book Festival will return to the grounds of Hertford Castle on Saturday, May 13, between 10am and 3pm.

There will be an author market, author panels, engaging storytelling, Hertford Book Exchange, and plenty of activities for children and adults alike. For more information visit hertsbookfestival.org. To register your interest as an author, volunteer or sponsor, email [email protected] with Volunteering at the Festival in the subject line, or message @hertsbookfestival on Instagram.

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