M E L I S S A H A R R I S O N& D A N R I C H A R D SWRITING THE OUTSIDE

We’re reading about the outside more than ever before. The New Statesman described this boom as one of the ‘most significant

developments in British publishing this century’. Writers Melissa Harrison and Dan Richards discuss the nation’s new favourite genre.

L I Z F L A N A G A NWILD OR WELL-TRODDEN:

A VITAL SENSE OF PL ACE Whether you’re writing poetry or prose, landscapes can be a source

of inspiration, atmosphere and colour; they can even shape structure. Novelist Liz Flanagan helps you to find your authentic voice for

describing places of importance.

L I N D A W O O D H E A DT H AT WA S T H E C H U R C H

T H AT WA S As recently as 1979, the Church of England seemed an essential part of Englishness. The following decades have seen the loss of more than

half of its members and much of its influence. How did it happen? Is there any way back? Find (some of) the answers here.

A N G E L A T O P P I N GTHE FIVE PETALS OF ELDERFLOWER

Angela Topping reads from her latest collection of poetry, some of which was composed during her 2013 Residency at Gladstone’s

Library. Angela’s poems explore our relationship with nature, childhood, memory, music and the small pleasures of the everyday.

L O U I S A Y O U N GWRITING THE RECENT PAST

‘I’m not very interested in explosions. Aftermaths are more interesting’. Louisa Young’s latest trilogy deals with facial

reconstructive surgery and post-traumatic stress in the melancholic aftermath of WW1. Join Louisa for a fascinating discussion of what it

is to write the recent past.

D I A R M A I D M A C C U L L O C H & L I N D A W O O D H E A D

A NEW REFORMATIONChurches in Britain are in decline and people of ‘no religion’

now outnumber Christians. Historian Diarmaid MacCulloch and theologian Linda Woodhead express their hopes and fears for religion

and culture in Britain.

T A R A G U H AC H A R A C T E R B U I L D I N G

Where do characters come from? Use magazines and photographs to create characters you like (and some you don’t) and see what happens

when they’re put together in a fictional space. Prepare for fireworks!

K A T H R Y N H U G H E SV I C T O R I A N S U N D O N E

We view the Victorians as keen to hide troublesome flesh under crinolines and fancy waistcoats, but our ancestors were as obsessed

with their bodies as today’s ‘selfie’ generation. Discover why George Eliot was proud of her bigger right hand and what Darwin really

thought of his beard!

R E B E C C A F A R M E RL I S T E N I F YO U D A R E !

Rebecca Farmer’s poetry is haunted by ghosts who choose their mattresses with care, but it also celebrates life in spite of its fragility.

She will read poems from ‘Not Really’ and from her new collection, ‘Hold Your Breath’. Rebecca will also discuss the inspiration she has

taken from the work of the Irish poet and radio writer and producer, Louis MacNeice.

S A L L Y M A G N U S S O NW H E R E M E M O R I E S G O :

W H Y D E M E N T I A C H A N G E S E V E R Y T H I N GBroadcaster and author Sally Magnusson cared for her mother Mamie

during many years of living with dementia. Sad and funny, wise and honest, her deeply intimate account is also a call to arms; a searing

manifesto for social change. Join Sally for an inspiring hour.

TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS YEAR -Bring the family to Gladfest!

W H A T ’ S W H E R E

BECOMING A GLADVOCATE IS EASY! When buying your ticket – online, over the phone or in person – simply add a patronage to your order (you don’t need to buy a ticket to become a Gladvocate). It costs £25 to become a Gladvocate and this is valid for one year. In return, we’ll reward you with a Gladvocate car sticker, a Gladvocate pencil (perfect for scribbling notes!), and your name will be featured online and on our Gladvocates poster!

Help us keep Gladfest thriving and as affordable as possible.

Over the five years of Gladfest, many of you have told us that you want to support the festival by paying more for your tickets; you’re happy to pay more, you say, for such

high-quality events. We’ve also had feedback from those who can’t be with us in person but who are passionate about supporting one of the best small festivals in the UK.

Why not just raise prices? Other festivals do cost more, we know. But we want to keep Gladfest independent and our ticket prices low so that no-one is prevented from attending. So, for the first time in 2017, we can offer you the chance to become a Gladvocate.

G L A D V O C A T E D R I N K SOne of the perks of becoming a Gladvocate is the opportunity to meet and

chat with festival authors over a complimentary drink! Simply let us know if you’ll be attending and we’ll pop your name on the list. Make an evening of it

with dinner and an event...

11 :30 a m - 12:30 p m

G L A D F E S T 2 0 1 7 – W H A T ’ S O N W H E N

ta l k s w o r k s h o p s m a p r e f e r e n c e

F R I D A Y 1 S E P T E M B E R

S A T U R D A Y 2 S E P T E M B E R

6:00 p m - 7 :00 p m

5:00 p m

10:00 a m - 11 :00 a m

1:00 p m - 2:00 p m

4:00 p m - 5:00 p m

2:30 p m - 3:30 p m

1:00 p m - 2:30 p m

D A N R I C H A R D SCLIMBING DAYS

Climbing Days sees Dan Richards follow the trail of his great-great-aunt, Dorothy Pilley, a pioneering mountaineer of the early twentieth

century. Join Dan as he scrambles in the Lake District, tops summits in Switzerland and ascends the mighty Dent Blanche.

S A R A H P E R R YA SENSE OF PL ACE

How important is a sense of place in writing? How can the ways we depict the natural and the built environment create atmosphere? Can place be as important to the narrative as character? Explore different

approaches to creating ‘place’ – including taking a walk among the tombstones and penning a piece of flash fiction.

F R A N C E S C A H A I GHANDLE WITH CARE:

THE POTENTIAL AND PITFALLS OF METAPHORSeeking to make your writing more memorable? This relaxed, hands-on

workshop will teach you how to use metaphors to create powerful, enduring images. Leave with ideas and inspiration for harnessing the

power of metaphor in your own poetry or prose.

L A U R E N E L K I NFL Â NEUSE: WOMEN WALK THE CIT Y

The flâneur is a quintessentially masculine figure of privilege and leisure, striding the world with abandon. Join Lauren Elkin as she discusses her

gender-bending new book which treads the paths of cross-dressing nineteenth-century novelist George Sand, Parisian artist Sophie Calle

and wartime correspondent Martha Gellhorn.

D A V I D L O Y NBOOKS FROM THE FRONT LINE

David Loyn’s books are vivid depictions of life reported from some of the world’s most conflicted areas, including Afghanistan. David is one of Britain’s foremost foreign correspondents and when he joined us at

Hearth, the questions came thick and fast. Join David for a second look!

M A T T H E W B R A D L E YTHE CONTEXT OF SHERLOCK HOLMES: EXPLORING

POPUL AR CULTURE WITH THE GREAT DETECTIVEArthur Conan Doyle’s best-known character continues to appeal more

than 200 years after his creation. Be menaced by Nazis, kissed by Spider Women and engulfed in the psychological angst of Benedict

Cumberbatch’s portrayal. Then create your own!

L A U R A W I L K I N S O NAFTER THE FIRST DRAFT

You’ve finished the first draft of your novel but what next? Join Laura Wilkinson for an intensive workshop on refining and shaping your

manuscript into memorable fiction. Leave equipped with the tools and techniques to make your story sing.

J E A N S E A T O NTHE BBC AND POST-FACT POLITICS

What is the role of the BBC in a new world of social media in which people talk only to those they agree with? Or in a ‘post-truth society’,

in which mere assertions and rumours are believed? What is the value of impartiality and how can reporting contribute to a wider sense of truth?

BBC Official Historian Jean Seaton ponders.

J O A N N A C A N N O NTHE TROUBLE WITH GOATS AND SHEEP

Joanna Cannon returned to education in her thirties and graduated as a qualified doctor. The book written in snatched moments between hospital jobs - The Trouble with Goats and Sheep - stormed the Sunday

Times bestseller list in 2016. Joanna discusses her writing career so far...

N A T A S H A P U L L E YPROCESS IN FANTASY WRITING

There are numerous methods for writing stories. Some writers plan extensively, doing all their research before they put pen to paper; but

those methods are easier in some genres than others. How doyou plan fantasy? How can you research something imaginary?

T H E R E A R E M U S I C , C R A F T S & S N A C K S I N T H E M A R K E T P L A C E !

10:00 a m - 11 :30 a m

1:00 p m - 2:30 p m

2.30 p m - 3 .30 p m

11:30 a m - 12:30 p m

11:30 a m - 12:30 p m

4:00 p m - 5:30 p m

5:30 p m - 6:30 p m

Fancy a drink? H E A D T O T H E G L A D B A R !8:30 p m - 9:30 p m

F R A N C I S S P U F F O R D & S A R A H P E R R Y I N C O N V E R S A T I O N

ESSEX SERPENTS AND GOLDEN HILLSThe authors of two of 2016’s most popular books kick off Gladfest

in style. Francis Spufford (Golden Hill, Costa First Novel Award) and Sarah Perry (The Essex Serpent, Waterstones Book of the

Year) consider our compulsive enthusiasm for historical fiction.

THEATR CLWYD UNCLE VANYA

Writer Peter Gill and director Tamara Harvey discuss the joys and challenges of staging Chekhov’s drama and treat the audience to

an exclusive rehearsed reading of this brand new adaptation by some of the production’s actors. Not to be missed!

N A T A S H A P U L L E Y FANTASTICAL PERU

Fantasy writing needn’t be about wizards in imaginary worlds. It can take place in this one, in Victorian London or even unexplored

Peru. Join Natasha to explore the real places and people behind her new novel, The Bedlam Stacks.

M I K E S C O T TDEMY THOLOGISING SHAKESPEARE

Shakespeare has in the past been deified. But is everything we think we know about him true? Join Mike Scott to uncover the ‘real’ William Shakespeare, why he wrote and how he made his

plays and poems work.

D A N R I C H A R D SLUCKY DIP: INSPIRING YOUR

WRITING THROUGH ARCHIVAL OBJECTSDelve into a lucky dip of archive boxes, diaries and conversation

transcripts to learn how to weave it all together to create compelling narrative non-fiction.

D I A R M A I D M A C C U L L O C H ALL THINGS MADE NEW: THE REFORMATION

In 1517, Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on All Saints’ Church, Wittenberg, sparking the Reformation which

engulfed sixteenth-century Europe. Historian Diarmaid MacCulloch explores one of the most highly charged, bloody and

transformative periods in history.

F R A N C E S C A H A I GTHE FOREVER SHIP

We were privileged to hear the first ever reading of The Fire Sermon at Gladfest 2014 and in 2016, Francesca chatted all things

apocalypse in her discussion of The Map of Bones. In 2017, she’s back with the final book in the trilogy, The Forever Ship, released

this summer.

K A T E H A M E RTHE DOLL FUNERAL

The Doll Funeral, Kate Hamer’s second novel, grabs you by the hand and leads you into the forest. We’ll leave it to you to find

what’s there. Kate’s first novel, The Girl in the Red Coat, was a hit at our micro-festival, Hearth. We’re delighted to welcome Kate

back for Gladfest.

10:00 a m - 11 :00 a m

10:00 a m - 11 :30 a m

1:00 p m - 2:00 p m

1:00 p m - 2:00 p m

10:00 a m - 11 :30 a m

2:30 p m - 3:30 p m

4:00 p m - 5:00 p m

Linger for Dinner I N F O O D F O R T H O U G H T

8:00 p m - 9:30 p m

4.00 p m - 5 .00 p m

1:00 p m - 2:30 p m

4:00 p m - 5:30 p m

You can see that this space looks a little different this year. At Gladfests gone by, we’ve curated a separate programme specifically for young people. This year, in true Gladstonian spirit, we have one programme for all, and all ages are welcome to all events.

We are delighted to welcome InterAct Imaginations back to the festival. The InterAct crew can be found in our Young People’s Tent from 10am – 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, with a range of free book-themed craft activities for families. Just pop in and stay for as long as you like! Parents welcome!

Check out gladfest.co.uk for more information.

5:30 p m - 6:30 p m

S U N D A Y 3 S E P T E M B E R

10:00 a m - 11 :00 a m

F R I D A Y 1 S E P T E M B E R FRANCIS SPUFFORD & SARAH PERRY T H E O LO G Y R O O M E S S E X S E R P E N T S A N D G O L D E N H I L L S 6 - 7 p m

T H E AT R C LW Y D T H E O LO G Y R O O M U N C L E VA N YA 8 - 9:30 p m

S A T U R D A Y 2 S E P T E M B E RN ATA S H A P U L L E Y T H E O LO G Y R O O M FA N TA S T I C A L P E R U 10 - 11 a m

M I K E S C O T T G LY N N E R O O M D E MY T H O L O G I S I N G S H A K E S P E A R E 10 - 11 a m

D A N R I C H A R D S A N W Y L R O O M LU C K Y D I P 10 - 11 :30 a m D I A R M A I D M A C C U L L O C H T H E O LO G Y R O O M A L L T H I N G S M A D E N E W 11 .30 a m - 12 .30 p m

F R A N C E S C A H A I G G LY N N E R O O M T H E F O R E V E R S H I P 11 :30 a m - 12:30 p m K AT E H A M E R T H E O LO G Y R O O M T H E D O L L F U N E R A L 1 - 2 p m

MELISSA HARRISON & DAN RICHARDS G LY N N E R O O MW R I T I N G T H E O U T S I D E 1 - 2 p m

L I Z F L A N A G A N A N W Y L R O O M W I L D O R W E L L-T R O D D E N 1 - 2 .30 p m

LINDA WOODHEAD T H E O LO G Y R O O M T H AT WA S T H E C H U R C H T H AT WA S 2.30 - 3 .30 p m

A N G E L A T O P P I N G G LY N N E R O O MT H E F I V E P E TA L S O F E L D E R F LO W E R 2.30 - 3 .30 p m

LOUISA YOUNG T H E O LO G Y R O O MW R I T I N G T H E R E C E N T PA S T 4 - 5 p m

DIARMAID MACCULLOCH & LINDA WOODHEAD T H E O LO G Y R O O MA N E W R E F O R M AT I O N 4 - 5 p m

TARA GUHA A N W Y L R O O MC H A R A C T E R B U I L D I N G 4 - 5 .30 p m

KATHRYN HUGHES T H E O LO G Y R O O MV I C T O R I A N S U N D O N E 5.30 - 6 .30 p m

REBECCA FARMER G LY N N E R O O ML I S T E N I F YO U D A R E ! 5.30 - 6 .30 p m

SALLY MAGNUSSON T H E O LO G Y R O O MW H E R E M E M O R I E S G O 8.30 - 9 .30 p m

S U N D A Y 3 S E P T E M B E RD A N R I C H A R D S T H E O LO G Y R O O M C L I M B I N G D AY S 10 - 11 a m

S A R A H P E R R Y G LY N N E R O O M A S E N S E O F P L A C E 10 - 11 .30 a m

F R A N C E S C A H A I G A N W Y L R O O M H A N D L E W I T H C A R E 10 - 11 :30 a m

L AU R E N E L K I N T H E O LO G Y R O O M F L Â N E U S E : W O M E N WA L K T H E C I T Y 1 1 .30 a m - 12 .30 p m

D AV I D L OY N T H E O LO G Y R O O MBOOKS FROM THE FRONT LINE 1 - 2 p m

M AT T H E W B R A D L E Y G LY N N E R O O MT H E C O N T E X T O F S H E R L O C K H O L M E S 1 - 2 .30 p m

LAURA WILKINSON A N W Y L R O O MA F T E R T H E F I R S T D R A F T 1 - 2 .30 p m

J E A N S E AT O N T H E O LO G Y R O O MT H E B B C A N D P O S T-FA C T P O L I T I C S 2.30 - 3 .30 p m

J O A N N A C A N N O N T H E O LO G Y R O O MT H E T R O U B L E W I T H G O AT S A N D S H E E P 4 - 5 p m

NATASHA PULLEY A N W Y L R O O MP R O C E S S I N FA N TA S Y W R I T I N G 4 - 5 .30 p m

H O W T O G E T H E R E

Gladstone’s Library (CH5 3DF) is located in the heart of Hawarden village, just six miles outside Chester and 15 minutes’ drive from the M56 & M53, with good public transport links from Chester, Liverpool, Mold and Wrexham.

THERE IS NO CAR PARKING ON SITE DURING GLADFEST*

Parking is located at:Tinkersdale public car park, A550 (P1)Flintshire Record Office, Rectory Lane (P2)Hawarden Masonic Hall, Gladstone Way (P3)Hawarden Village Church School, Cross Tree Lane (P4)*Blue Badge holders permitted

Hello & welcome

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FESTIVAL SITE Fri: 5pm - 10pm Sat: 9.30am - 10pm Sun: 9.30am - 6pm

FOOD & DRINKFood for Thought is open throughout the festival selling delicious homemade food and drinks. Hot meals are available at lunchtime and in the early evening. There are also hot and cold drinks and a range of snacks for sale in the Gladfest Market Place. Just fancy a drink? The bar in the Gladstone Room sells nibbles and wine, bottled beers and ciders and a range of soft drinks.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Fri: 5pm - 8pmSat: 10am - 8pm (Lunch 12pm - 3pm, Dinner 6pm - 8pm)Sun: 10am - 6pm (Lunch 12pm - 3pm)

GLADFEST MARKET PLACEOur expanded Market Place is filled with the best local designers and contemporary crafts. You won’t miss it, it’s that great big tent on the back lawn! Sat and Sun: 9.30am - 6pmThe Gladfest Market Place is licensed by Flintshire County Council.

The Gladbar closes when the site closes!

O P E N I N G T I M E S

W I T H T H A N K S T O O U R M A I N S P O N S O R S

1 - 3 S E P T E M B E R

Not everything is changing. This year, you’ll find all that’s made Gladfest so special over these last four years. Drinks by the fire with your favourite authors; some of the world’s best emerging writers right here in Hawarden; the chance to get award-winning books signed. As always, it all takes place in the unique surroundings of our beautiful Grade I listed Reading Rooms.

Our writers, festival staff, the Library and YOU all make Gladfest what it is.

Thank you,and Happy Birthday Gladfest!

O ur little festival is five years old this year. It seems only yesterday that we said ‘hey, let’s have a festival!’ – 16 weeks

later, Gladfest was born. Since then, thousands of you have been through the doors, some for the very first time. Gladfest brings together award-winning, internationally-renowned and breakthrough writers for a wonderfully eclectic weekend for the whole community. We’re very proud of it.

To celebrate, we’re working to pay it forward. We’ve been fortunate in that writers love the Library so much they’ve been happy to accept bed, board and travel as payment. But we believe that writers, just like all of us, should be paid for their work. So this year, in line with the Society of Authors’ advice, all speakers have the option of a stipend as well as a writing break here at Gladstone’s Library.

Happy Birthday Gladfest!

P R I C E S

Day Tickets | £30 includes any 5 talks on one day

Workshop Tickets | £40 includes any 4 workshops

Weekend Tickets | £55 includes any 10 talks across weekend

Individual Talks | £7 eachIndividual Workshops | £12 eachBecome a Gladvocate | £25

01244 532350 gladfest.co.uk

enquiries@gladlib.orgPop into Reception

All tickets are non-refundable.

H O W T O B O O K

H O W T O G E T H E R E

MOONDANCE FOUNDATION

AT GL ADSTONE’S LIBRARYHAWARDEN, NEAR CHESTER

GL ADLIB @GL ADLIB # GL ADFEST17

T H E U K ’ S F R I E N D L I E S T

W W W . G L A D F E S T . C O . U K

T H E B E S TC O N T E M P O R A R Y W R I T E R S

B O O KS I G N I N G S

B I G G E S T - E V E RM A R K E T P L A C E

F R E E C R A F T I N G F O R A L L T H E F A M I L Y

T A S T YL O C A L F O O D

A N D M U C H M O R E !