Ten days of author talks, thought-provoking discussions, engaging family events and fascinating workshops.

Launching on Friday 16th November, Folkestone Book Festival also marks the Creative Quarter Christmas lights switch-on. This year’s festivities will be led by award-winning author Kit de Waal, whose heart-breaking novel, My Name is Leon, won Irish Novel of the Year in 2017.

This year’s Festival welcomes a variety of speakers from the world of history, including journalist and broadcaster, Jenni Murray, who has presented BBC4’s Woman’s Hour since 1987. Jenni takes us through A History of Britain in 21 Women – exploring the queens, visionaries, artists and politicians whose lives embodied hope and change.

© Les Wilson

Also looking at women in history, the UK’s biggest-selling female historian, Alison Weir, draws on research for her portrayal of Jane Seymour, the third of King Henry VIII’s queens. Alison casts fresh light on perceptions of this courageous and compassionate woman.

Jumping forward one hundred years, best-selling author Charles Spencer uses Samuel Pepys’ account to retell the epic adventure of King Charles II, who came to the throne following the beheading of his father, King Charles I in January 1649.

Delve into global history as award-winning historian and author Bettany Hughes discusses her latest book, Istanbul, a Tale of Three Cities. Enraptured by the thriving metropolis, Bettany pieces together Istanbul’s brilliant and brutal history.

© Kan Lailey

Exploring what it means, and how to be human, BBC Radio 4’s Inside Science presenter, geneticist Adam Rutherford, discusses how many of the things once considered to be exclusively human, are not. Novelist and journalist, Matt Haig takes a personal look at how to feel happy, human and whole in the anxiety and stress-ridden twenty-first century. While Hannah Fry takes us on a tour through the good, the bad and the downright ugly of the algorithms that surround us – exploring how to be human in the age of the machine.

Don’t miss talks and events by special guests from the world of art and music, including pioneering punk legend, Viv Albertine. With a blend of humour, vulnerability and intelligence making her one of the finest authors working today, Viv smashes through layers of propriety, leading us into a place of savage self-discovery.

The master of the comedy-science mashup and co-presenter of BBC radio’s The Infinite Monkey Cage, Robin Ince attempts to offer answers to some of life’s biggest questions.

Indian Day welcomes journalists, politicians, authors and historians, offering talks, workshops and performances; as well as 2014 Great British Bake Off semi-finalist, Chetna Makan, who will share top tips about how to introduce Indian ingredients into traditional Western favourites.

Forged in the dustbowl of the 1930s, in an America crippled by the Great World Recession, Woody Guthrie found solace in song, and soon those songs became the voice of the people. Enjoy a performance from Nick Hayes as he brings this legend to life on US Day, after a variety of talks from sociolinguistics and the US economy; to American politics and history.

The festival has a number of exclusive offers including early bird ticket prices which are available before and inclusive of Sunday 16th September. If you just can’t decide which events to prioritise why not buy the Folkestone Book Festival pass, gaining access to all events. The pass is available at the early bird price of £140, please contact Box Office on 01303 760 750 to purchase or visit www.folkestonebookfest.com