Revolutionary thinking at Lincoln Book Festival 2018 as historian Tracy Borman confirms debut novel talk

Lincoln Book Festival returns in September 2018 promising revolutionary thinking from some of Britain’s best-known historians and historical fiction writers with Lincolnshire-born author Tracy Borman the first headline guest speaker confirmed in this year’s programme.

This year’s festival will explore the theme of Revolution, taking as its inspiration the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918 which first gave some British women the right to vote.

From the political upheavals of post-war Britain to the scientific revelations that transformed our understanding of the universe, the shock of seventies punk rock to the turmoil of the final days of the Tudor dynasty, a line-up of high profile guest authors will share their perspectives on the forces that have shaped profound societal and political changes in Britain and beyond down the centuries.

Tracy Borman, whose acclaimed history books include Elizabeth’s Women: The Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen and The Private Lives of the Tudors, will appear at Lincoln Book Festival on Saturday 29th September at Lincoln Drill Hall. She will be discussing her debut novel, The King’s Witch, which will be published in June 2018 by Hodder & Stoughton.

The first in a trilogy of historical novels set at the dramatic endpoint of the Tudor reign and the dangerous start of the Stuart era, the novel introduces heroine Frances Gorges, who becomes endangered by the scheming figures behind the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

Tracy, who was born and raised in Lincolnshire, is Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust, and joint Chief Curator for Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that manages Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace, the Banqueting House, Whitehall and Hillsborough Castle. She often appears on television and radio to discuss history and heritage, and is a regular contributor to history magazines including BBC History.

Tickets for her Lincoln Book Festival 2018 talk are priced £10 and available from Lincoln Drill Hall Box Office.

Phil Hamlyn Williams, Chair of the Lincoln Book Festival Trust, said: “We hope the theme of revolution for this year’s Book Festival will resonate as people across the country reflect on the role of the suffragettes in securing women’s right to vote 100 years ago.
“We’re delighted to confirm Lincolnshire-born historian Tracy Borman will join us for one of our headline author events, discussing her much anticipated debut novel which explores another pivotal moment of British political history – the infamous Gunpowder Plot.”

Lincoln Book Festival places history at its heart, bringing some of Britain’s best-loved novelists, historians, biographers, broadcasters, academics and public figures to the historic cathedral city of Lincoln for a week-long literary festival devoted to the finest history writing and historical fiction. Alongside the headline author events there are free writers’ workshops, competitions, schools activities and local history talks.

Most Festival events are hosted at The Collection museum and art gallery in the city’s cultural quarter or the iconic Lincoln Drill Hall theatre. The 2018 Festival opens on Monday 24th September and closes on Saturday 29th September 2018. Tickets are available via the Lincoln Drill Hall Box Office on Freeschool Lane, online at www.lincolndrillhall.com or by telephone 01522 873894. The full Lincoln Book Festival 2018 programme will be published in early summer.