The Big Bang to Punk Rock: Lincoln Book Festival 2018 full programme revealed

The full programme for Lincoln Book Festival 2018 has been published, revealing a line-up of acclaimed authors and a potent mix of ‘revolutionary ideas’ down the ages, from the Big Bang to Punk Rock.

Some of the UK’s best-known novelists, historians, biographers, broadcasters, academics and cultural commentators will feature in the week-long literary festival, which runs from 22nd to 29th September at venues across the city’s cultural quarter.

Lincoln Book Festival places history at its heart, celebrating the finest history writing and historical fiction. This year’s festival theme is revolution, commemorating the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act which first gave some British women the right to vote.

Several headline author events have already been announced with multi-award-winning children’s writer Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse, and acclaimed author and historian Tracy Borman, both visiting the city to talk about their latest books.

Festival organisers have now released the full programme of events for 2018’s festival, with a bigger, bolder array of activities than ever before, including a new range of family-friendly fringe events and a return of the popular ‘flash fiction’ short story competition.

Newly announced guest authors include science writer Marcus Chown, author of The Sunday Times Science Book of the Year 2017, The Ascent of Gravity; historians Professor Maggie Andrews and Dr Janis Lomas, authors of A History of Women in 100 Objects; and music journalist Jon Robb, whose account Punk Rock: An Oral History lifts the lid on the radical musical movement of the 1970s.

Lincoln Book Festival 2018 is supported by new grant funding from Arts Council England through the National Lottery. Most events take place at The Collection museum and art gallery on Danes Terrace or the Lincoln Drill Hall theatre on Freeschool Lane.

Lincoln Book Festival chairman, Phil Hamlyn Williams, said: “We’re delighted to welcome so many exceptional authors to Lincoln Book Festival for our week-long celebration of outstanding history writing and historical fiction this September.
“This year’s theme of revolution gives us a lens to explore the centenary of some British women winning the right to vote and other key historical developments in women’s rights. We also look at an array of fascinating topics and a variety of different books, from children’s writing to biography, music journalism to popular science.
“As ever, we’re grateful to all our sponsors and supporters for making the festival possible, including Arts Council England who have provided vital grant support to help us put together such a broad programme of literary events and reach out to new and existing audiences.”

Peter Knott, Area Director, Arts Council England, said: “This year’s Lincoln Book Festival features a fantastic mix of authors, with work covering everything from history and science, to music and politics.
“Great literature has the power to transport the reader through time and space, opening up windows into other worlds and cultures. We’re delighted to support and fund them through the National Lottery with a project grant, as they celebrate 15 years of bringing top quality literature to the heart of historic Lincoln.”

Lydia Rusling, Chief Executive of Visit Lincoln, said: “The funding for Lincoln Book Festival is positive news for the city, ensuring that the event can go from strength to strength, whilst attracting new people. Visit Lincoln is proud to support the literary programme as a significant annual occasion for residents and visitors to enjoy and discover. We are looking forward to joining festival organisers in delivering a lively and diverse programme later this year.”

Tickets for all Lincoln Book Festival events are available via the Lincoln Drill Hall Box Office on Freeschool Lane, online at www.lincolndrillhall.com or by telephone 01522 873894. Author events are typically priced £10 per ticket (Michael Morpurgo priced from £12). Some activities are free to attend. See the festival programme in full on www.lincolnbookfestival.org, or follow Lincoln Book Festival’s social media channels – Facebook: LincolnBookFestivalUK or Twitter: @LincBookFest.

Download the Lincoln Book Festival 2018 programme as a PDF by clicking here: Lincoln Book Festival 2018 Programme Digital.