Our Autumn 2025 event will be on the theme of "Strength of Character", approached from many different angles, from classic novels to contemporary paintings, with talks and readings by the following speakers:
- AA Abbott, author of the Lies thriller series, on writing villains you love to hate
- Ali Bacon, historical novelist, speaking about Robert Louis Stevenson's first love as featured in her new novel The Absent Heart
- Gerard Boyce, retired academic, on characterisation in Shakespeare
- Lucienne Boyce, historical novelist and historian, on Charles Dickens' characters
- Sarah Sian Chave, author of Hafren: The Wisdom of the River Severn
- Frances Evesham, cosy crime writer of two series set in Somerset
- Lorna Fergusson, novelist and writing coach on the impact of place on character, as demonstrated by her new collection of short stories, One Morning in Provence
- Stefania Hartley, reading one of her short stories about strong Sicilian characters
- Helen Idris-Jones, nurse and nurse educator, and author of Missing Ella
- James Nickells, portrait artist at the Global Portrait Project
- Mark Rutterford, storyteller, performing a story written especially for the event
- Debbie Young, cosy mystery author and festival founder, chairing a panel on the strength of character required to be an author
The event will be chaired by HULF Founder and Director Debbie Young, who will combine this fascinating line-up into a coherent whole.
This occasion marks the 10th Birthday of the Hawkesbury Upton Literature Festival. There will be cake!
VENUE
We hope that by the end of September, the beautiful ancient parish church of St Mary the Virgin, will be warmer than it has been at past events held in the spring, but so please wrap up warm just in case. Seating is on antique wooden church pews, so feel free to bring a cushion.
Free parking available in the adjacent field. Please leave the hardstanding in front of the church free for those with limited mobility.
REFRESHMENTS
Tea, coffee and cake are included in the ticket price of £10. A small booking charge will be added at the time of booking to cover administration costs. Please book early to avoid disappointment - and to make sure we have enough cake for everyone! Feel free to bring your own refreshments if you prefer.
BOOK SALES
A £2 book voucher is included with the ticket, valid at the event. All our speakers give their time for free, so please make the most of your voucher to support them by buying their books. A book stall manned by the authors will be open before and after the talks and during the breaks.
