Incredible line-up of famous writers is coming to Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival this weekend

Having brought incredible line-ups of famous authors to Harrogate for the past 11 years, this annual feast of books and authors has not stopped innovating.

This year's event, which will run from Thursday, October 19 to Sunday, October 22 at the Crown Hotel, will include visits by the likes of Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Sir Vince Cable, Gaby Roslin and Andy McNab.

But this feast of literature presented by Harrogate International Festivals also sees it reaching out to an even wider audience with the introduction of a new free short stories dispenser and a series of new daytime events for children.

The short stories dispenser will be located inside The Crown Hotel from Friday to Sunday.

Stories from the dispenser are selected from a range of over 10,000 short works of literature and cover a range of genres including: romance, drama, crime fiction, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, comedy, children’s stories, and the classics.

At the touch of a button, visitors will receive a short story that will take one, three or five minutes to read. The story is printed on high quality, eco-friendly paper to read straight away or take away and read in a spare moment.

The authors range from Emily Dickinson to Lewis Carrol, Ernest Hemingway and William Shakespeare to contemporary stories by lesser-known authors and aspiring new writers.

Rachel Tunnicliffe, Senior Partner at Raworths Solicitors said: “The short stories dispenser allows us to take a moment to celebrate the joy of reading and storytelling, no matter how busy we are.

"It’s a fun and engaging way to bring great writing and literature to the whole community.”

The Raworths Children’s Festival line-up includes picture book and poetry events with children’s laureate Joseph Coelho, an interactive session with family favourite Rob Biddulph and an event called ‘Art Is Everywhere’ with artist and broadcaster Joe Haddow, who encourages children to think differently about art.

A free Matilda-themed book trail is also running at The Pinewoods in Harrogate for all the family which will remain in place until the end of November.

Sharon Canavar, Harrogate International Festivals’ chief executive, said: "The next generation of budding artists and authors is sure to be inspired and entertained by the Children’s Festival events - and with a host of ways to celebrate beyond the stage, we hope the whole town will get involved in celebrating great literature."

Acclaimed as “one of the UK’s best literary festivals” by Harpers Bazaar magazine, the best-selling authors coming to Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival this week include renowned British chef Rosemary Shrager, comedian Rosie Holt, royal correspondent Robert Hardman and award-winning husband-and-wife team Carrie and David Grant.

But one festival event has already taken place.

Last Friday saw the Raworths Run, a free 5k run held in partnership with The Early Bird Running Crew, which highlighted the physical and mental health benefits of running and reading.

The festival has also teamed up with local pubs, cafes and delis to produce the Raworths PubLit Trail, with participants making their way across town and collecting a free book from local businesses.

For tickets, call the festival’s box office on 01423 562303 or book online at: https://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/raworths-literature-festival/