Read more about the authors via our Speakers A-Z page
WORKSHOP
10:30am-3pm: Creative Writing Masterclass
Join the experienced writer and tutor Greg Mosse in a collaborative, supportive story development workshop for writers at all stages of the writing journey. He’ll help you develop characters, setting, dialogue and plot. The session will include a look at how to get started or move on with your writing, and how to ensure creative and professional development. Watch here for more details.
ArtsEd (please go to main reception), 14 Bath Road, W4 1LY, £40 including light lunch.
WORKSHOP
11am-1pm: Writing a Psychological Thriller
Bring your ideas, or just yourself, as editor and author Phoebe Morgan shares the secrets of writing a successful thriller in this interactive two hour workshop. Bring paper and pen! Watch here for more details.
ArtsEd (please go to main reception), 14 Bath Road, W4 1LY, £20
COOKBOOK FESTIVAL
11am-12pm: Deliciously Ella
Ella Mills shares her journey from early food blogger, finding ways to be well through food, to the phenomenon that is the Deliciously Ella brand of today. During this fascinating hour, sample recipes from her new book and food range. Don’t miss the chance to add the book to the ticket at 1/2 price – Ella will be happy to sign! Price includes refreshments.
Ginger Whisk, £10 or £20 including half price copy of Deliciously Ella
CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
11am-12pm: The Really Big Pants Theatre Company: SUDDENLY…!
Really Big Pants is a theatre company specifically for primary-aged children. They wrote their storytelling show, SUDDENLY…!, to celebrate and encourage literacy, using recognisable elements of traditional tales (and some really big pants) to inspire and entertain, and they have performed it to thousands of children in schools, libraries, bookshops, theatres, and at lit fests. In 2018 they were thrilled to launch a chapter book adaptation of the show, along with two extra stories featuring Grandma and Red. Willow and Joe are both avid readers and love nothing more than a great book. Apart from cake maybe… This is their third appearance at the Chiswick Book Festival. (Ages 5-11). Supported by The Falcons Pre-Preparatory School for Boys.
Marquee, £3
11:15am-12:15pm: The House: Louise Candlish, Harriet Evans & Clare Hastings
Harriet Evans (The Wildflowers), Louise Candlish (Our House), Clare Hastings (The House in Little Chelsea) have written three very different novels. But what ties them together is the central theme of the house. Join them as they discuss their books with Cathy Rentzenbrink. Supported by Wild Swans.
St Michael & All Angels Parish Hall, £8
11:15am-12:15pm: Tim Marshall: Divided
Tim Marshall’s explanations of global politics made Prisoners of Geography an international bestseller. He talks to Maxine Mawhinney about his new book Divided, sharing insight to explain what has divided us, past and present, showing how it informs much of what is going on in the world today.
St Michael & All Angels Church, £8
12:45-1:45pm: Margaret Thatcher and Me: Caroline Slocock
As a young civil servant, Caroline Slocock (People Like Us) became the first ever female private secretary to any British Prime Minister, and was at Margaret Thatcher’s side for the final eighteen months of her premiership. A left-wing feminist, Slocock was no natural ally. Chaired by Sue Cameron.
St Michael & All Angels Parish Hall, £8
CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
1-2pm: Julian Clary: The Bolds
Comedian, entertainer and writer Julian Clary introduces you to The Bolds in Trouble, the latest in his best-selling series of adventures about a family of hyenas living in an ordinary suburban street. An unmissable event packed with wildly hilarious readings in Julian’s unique style and lots of laughter. Supported by Fleet Tutors and Young Veterinary Partnership. (Age 7+)
St Michael & All Angels Church, £5
CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
1-1:30pm: Crab and Whale: Mindful Storytelling
Crab and Whale is a delightful story that gently introduces mindfulness to young children. Author Christiane Kerr will read the story and invite the audience to participate in simple and fun activities.
The Tabard Theatre, £2
COOKBOOK FESTIVAL
1-2pm: Hassle Free, Gluten Free: Jane Devonshire
A fabulous demonstration with tastings by Jane Devonshire (2016 Masterchef winner) from her new book Hassle free, Gluten free. Packed full of easy to follow recipes for everyday and for special occasions that just happen to be gluten free. Jane will unlock the mystery of gluten free baking – join us and watch, learn, taste and enjoy!
Ginger Whisk, £8, includes tasting
COOKBOOK FESTIVAL
1:15-2:15pm: Caldesi: Cooking Italian
Be transported to Italy by the wonderful Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi as they show us how to make perfect fresh pasta. They will take us on a culinary journey round Italy with their recipes and stories from their travels. This promises to be a delicious hour with samples and tasters from their new book The Long and the Short of Pasta, not to be missed!
Marquee, £12, includes a glass of wine, demonstration, chat and tastings.
CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
1:45-2:15pm: Invincible Voices: Zoe Antoniades
Back by popular demand Zoe Antoniades brings to life this creative collection of stories for children by children. (Ages 6-10).
The Tabard Theatre, £2
WORKSHOP
2-3:30pm: Climbing Out of the Slush Pile: Jo Unwin
Literary agent Jo Unwin shares the inside track on how to get your manuscript noticed by an agent. With one to one feedback, hints and tips, this is an essential workshop for anyone hoping to get their book signed by an agent. Bring paper and pen! See Festival website for more details.
ArtsEd (please go to main reception), 14 Bath Road, W4 1LY, £15
CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
2:15-3:15pm: How to be Hilarious: Gareth P Jones
Join children’s author and performer Gareth P Jones for a lesson in hilarity. The Daily Joker has a rib-tickling joke for every day of the year, along with weekly joke challenges guaranteed to turn you into the class clown. This show contains funny stories, groan-worthy gags, silly songs, super fast rapping, top tips and games guaranteed to have you ROFL. (Ages 6-10)
St Michael & All Angels Parish Hall, £3
2:30-3:30pm: Kate Mosse: The Burning Chambers
Kate Mosse talks to Cathy Rentzenbrink about her new novel, The Burning Chambers – the first in a new historical adventure series – in which she brings sixteenth-century Languedoc vividly to life with mystery, love, betrayal and conspiracy. Supported by Wild Swans.
The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre, ArtsEd, 14 Bath Road, W4 1LY, £8
2:30-3:30pm: Body Image: Bryony Gordon and Nancy Tucker
Telegraph columnist Bryony Gordon (Eat, Drink, Run) and author Nancy Tucker (That’s When People Started to Worry) were both brought up locally. They join Woman’s Hour presenter Jane Garvey to discuss body image and the mental pressures put on people today.
St Michael & All Angels Church, £8
2:45-3:45pm: Monsieur Ka: Vesna Goldsworthy
Set in the post-war London winter of 1947, a young French woman, the wife of a British army officer, arrives to work as a companion to the aged ‘Monsieur Ka’, only to discover he is the son of Anna Karenina. Serbian writer and Chiswick resident Vesna Goldsworthy talks about her mesmerising new novel with Caroline Raphael.
“…the conundrum of how Anna Karenina’s son should end up in this ordinary house in Chiswick” – Guardian review
“Monsieur Ka is probably the best novel set in Chiswick since Vanity Fair”
– Exeter University English Dept
See Chiswick Timeline of Writers & Books
The Tabard Theatre, £5
COOKBOOK FESTIVAL
2:45-3:45pm: Big Bold Vegetarian
Rich Harris’s new book Root and Leaf shows us how the humble vegetable can truly be the hero of the meal. He has developed big bold flavours to please even the most committed carnivores. Rich will demonstrate recipes and chat about his life from food stylist to cook book author, his food passions and travels. Supported by As Nature Intended
Ginger Whisk, £8, includes cookery demonstration and tasters
COOKBOOK FESTIVAL
2:45-3:45pm: Lateral Cooking
Following the highly acclaimed Flavour Thesaurus, Niki Segnit has done it again – a ground-breaking book, designed to help home cooks develop their own recipes. This will be a fascinating hour with Niki who will lead us through her world of flavours and how we can all be creative cooks in our own kitchens. This is a must for anyone who loves cooking or simply enjoys food.
Marquee, £10, tasting plate and a glass of sparkling wine
4-5pm: You’ll Never Walk
Emily Mayhew (A Heavy Reckoning) is a military medical historian specialising in the study of severe casualty in 20th and 21st century warfare. She joins Andy Grant (You’ll Never Walk), a veteran of Afghanistan whose life was changed forever when he was blown up by the Taliban. His is a truly remarkable story of horror, despair, hope and ultimately triumph against all the odds. Supported by
The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre, ArtsEd, 14 Bath Road, W4 1LY, £8
3:45-4:45pm: Great British Gardeners
The British have always been a nation of gardeners – and many of them live in Chiswick. Vanessa Berridge brings the colourful history of British gardening to life in an illustrated talk with David Shreeve, through the stories of 26 inspiring figures – from ‘Capability’ Brown and Vita Sackville-West to Beth Chatto and John Brookes. Chiswick House gets eight mentions in the book, whilst Marble Hill, Kew and Syon are all featured. Plus Alexander Pope who lived in Mawson Lane by Fullers Brewery and Sir Joseph Paxton, who was much involved with Chiswick House. Supported by The Magic Flower Company.
St Michael & All Angels Parish Hall, £8
4-5pm: The Bootle Boy: A Working Life with Rupert Murdoch
Les Hinton (The Bootle Boy) spent five decades as employee, and later head, of Murdoch companies in newspapers, magazines and television on three continents, helping to define our modern media. He discusses life and working with Rupert Murdoch with James Rodgers.
St Michael & All Angels Church, £8
4-5pm: The Legacy of Anne Frank
Founder of the Anne Frank Trust UK, Gillian Perry, joins Caroline Raphael to talk about the global legacy of the world’s best known diarist, and the impact her diaries have had on thousands of people in some of the world’s most turbulent and violent regions.
The Tabard Theatre, £5. PLEASE NOTE: Disturbing content, age 12+ only.
COOKBOOK FESTIVAL
4:15-5:15pm: Eat Happy: 30-Minute Feel Good
Melissa Hemsley (of Hemsley + Hemsley) will show us her fast feel good recipes packed with vegetables. Don’t miss this chance to taste recipes from Melissa’s new book, Eat Happy, while she shows us how it is done.
Marquee, £10, includes a drink and tasters with cookery demonstration
COOKBOOK FESTIVAL
5:15-6:15pm: Family Indian
Bring the kids, partner and friends and feast on Mallika Basu’s fantastic food while she spills the beans how to cook authentic Indian food at home with no fuss. Enjoy a two course Indian meal with Mallika while she explains where to shop and shares her tips and tricks on authentic Indian cookery. A perfect place for an early Sunday supper?
Ginger Whisk, £15 / £7 children under 13, includes two course meal
5:15-6:15pm: D-Day: The Soldiers’ Story
Giles Milton paints a dazzling canvas of the opening day of battle. ‘The longest day’ is revealed as never before – less a masterpiece of strategic planning than a day on which thousands of scared young men found themselves staring death in the face – told through the eyes of those who took part.
St Michael & All Angels Parish Hall, £8
5:30-6:30pm: Joanna Trollope & Kate Morton
Two of our bestselling female writers, Joanna Trollope (An Unsuitable Match) and Kate Morton (The Clockmaker’s Daughter) talk to Cathy Rentzenbrink about their new books, inspiration, and the challenges of writing. Supported by Wild Swans.
The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre, ArtsEd, 14 Bath Road, W4 1LY, £8
5:30-6:30pm: Anthony Horowitz – James Bond: Forever and a Day
Anthony Horowitz is one of the most prolific and successful writers working in the UK, juggling writing books, TV series, films, plays and journalism. He joins Julia Wheeler to talk about his latest book Forever and a Day, the prequel to Casino Royale, and the book that witnesses the creation of James Bond as 007. Supported by The Chiswick Cinema.
St Michael & All Angels Church, £8
6:00-7:30pm: Sydney to Seoul Festival Drinks
Festival drinks in aid of the Chiswick Book Festival’s reading charities – RNIB Talking Books, InterAct Stroke Support and The Doorstep Library.
Share John Torode’s passion for flavour – ahead of his conversation in the Church about his culinary journeys – with a plate of delicious tasters from his book, Sydney to Seoul, and a couple of glasses of MT – the wonderful Neil McGuigan & John Torode wines. We will have a Tempranillo, Pinot Noir Rosé and Semillon – red, rose and white.
Marquee. Tickets £10, to include a plate of food and two glasses of wine.
Supported by Australian Vintage Limited
Drinks will also be on sale from the Festival pay-bar (open to all aged 18+).
7pm-8pm: Ann Cleeves: from Shetland to Vera, and page to screen
Ann Cleeves is the author of more than thirty novels, and two of her series have been adapted for television, ITV’s Vera and BBC One’s Shetland. In 2017 she was awarded the CWA Diamond Dagger. She talks to Caroline Frost about her latest book, Wild Fire, the eighth and final book in the Shetland series, and translating crime from the page to the screen. Supported by A Taste of Shetland
St Michael & All Angels Parish Hall, £8
7:30-8:30pm: John Torode: from Sydney to Seoul
John Torode will take Lucy McDonald (and us) on a food tour, telling us about his travels, influences and experiences from Sydney to Seoul. If you love Masterchef or are a follower of John’s fantastic travel programmes on the Good Food Channel this promises to be an unmissable hour with the foodie king of Australasia.
St Michael & All Angels Church, £8