How to book tickets for Ipswich's new book festival this October

What's on offer: The weekend features illustration workshops, author panels, and storytelling sessions covering genres from crime fiction to football, history to poetry.

• Friday, 3 October, will see Charlie Bingham discussing The Life Affirming Magic of Birds in conversation with Sophie Flux from Suffolk Wildlife Trust, whilst Roland Allen will explore The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper with Cathy Frost from LoveOne.
• Saturday, 4 October, features David Wright presenting Breaking Bread: How Baking Shaped Our World in conjunction with Wolsey Writers, and Coralie Bickford-Smith, designer of the Penguin Clothbound Classics, in conversation with Hannah Mee.
• The Saturday programme also includes Onjali Rauf, author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, The Star Outside My Window and The Game I Will Never Forget, hosted by St Helen's Primary School.
• Dr Annie Gray will discuss The Bookshop, The Draper and The Candlestick Maker: A History of the High Street in conversation with Cathy Frost and Ipswich Central, whilst authors Peter Parker and AJ West will present Some Men in London and The Betrayal of Thomas True, hosted by Matson Taylor
• Sunday, 5 October, concludes with Frances Quinn discussing The Smallest Man, That Bonesetter Woman and The Lost Passenger in conversation with Matson Taylor, alongside Andrew Marsh from Dial Lane Books presenting The Miseducation of Evie Epworth and All About Evie.
• Michael Robb will close the weekend exploring Shelf Life: A Journey Through the Past, Present & Future of Bookselling and Publishing in Britain.

Special highlight: The night before the East Anglian Derby, Neil Prentice (co-author of the ITFC icons series) and John Wark will discuss writing together and share predictions for the big match.

Ticket prices:

• Adult events: Up to £12
• Children's events: Free or £3.50 (price includes adult companions)

The organisers: Local business owners Tony Felgate, Cathy Frost, Emma Lightfoot, and Andrew Marsh founded the festival to celebrate Ipswich's creativity.

"We're excited to bring this vibrant new festival to Ipswich and offer something for everyone – whether you're a lifelong reader, a budding writer, or a young book-lover just starting out," said Emma Lightfoot.

The bottom line: Book early to secure your spot at events designed for all ages and reading interests, with family-friendly pricing that makes literature accessible to everyone.

Book tickets