Our Programme for 2022
We're incredibly excited to announce this year's latest line-up.
Tickets are available to buy for our Weekday events and the weekend schedule - featuring children's events and workshops - will be confirmed in the coming days and weeks.
Raynor Winn in conversation
7.30pm, Monday 17th October
at The Poly
Tickets: £8 and £5
Join Raynor Winn for a welcome return to the book festival as she celebrates the publication of her latest book Landlines, her follow-up to the international bestselling nature memoirs The Salt Path and The Wild Silence.
"You feel the world is a better place because Raynor and Moth are in it" THE TIMES
"A natural and extremely talented writer with an incredible way with words." Sophie Raworth
Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall in conversation
7.30pm, Tuesday 18th October
Solskinn at The Church, Killigrew Street
Tickets: £10 and £5
Join campaigning food writer and cookbook author Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's as he talks to Jemma Woodman about his new book River Cottage: Comfort Food.
“Hugh’s take on food is charming and refreshingly earthy. How can one refuse?”
– Rick Stein
"He is quite my favourite of all the prominent food-writers and
presenters". Stephen Fry
Katy Hessel and Michael Bird: The Story of Art
7.30pm, Wednesday 19th October
at The Poly
Tickets: £8 and £5
Two of our finest art historians come together to discuss the subjectivity of the story of art. Katy Hessel's first book is The History of Art Without Men and Michael Bird's latest work is This is Tomorrow: Twentieth-century Britain and its Artists.
"Katy Hessel has given us such a gift. Her research is profound, scholarly and wide-ranging, her writing authoritative yet accessible." -- Jessie Burton, author of The Miniaturist
'This is Tomorrow is the work of an undercover agent... it is a fast-moving and compelling read' - Dame Phyllida Barlow
George Monbiot in conversation
6.30pm, Thursday 20th October
at The Poly
Tickets: £8 and £5
George Monbiot is one of our most significant environmental campaigners and the winner of this year's Orwell Prize for journalism. He'll be talking about his new book Regenesis, the climate crisis and the need to change the way we eat before it’s too late.
"Regenesis is a world-making, world-changing book; at once visionary and rigorous and practicable." Robert Macfarlane
"George Monbiot is one of the most fearless and important voices in the global climate movement today". Greta Thunberg
Read Between the Wines
8pm, Thursday 20 October
Solskinn @ The Poly
Tickets £15
Read Between the Wines is a book group with a difference. Simultaneously celebrating the art of wordsmithery and the beauty of wine craft
The night starts with a reading of our chosen book group story followed by a tasting of three different wines, each with their own tales to tell. A little looser and warmed up, we’ll then return to the story and our thoughts on it, delving deeper into its merits, magic and (maybe) misses.
Ticket price includes three wines, some erudite literary conversation augmented with exclusive perspectives from the author and critics, and some ever so slightly drunken ramblings from the rest of us. Not to mention the Read Between the Wines pencil, of course.
So come, join us. The wine (and written word) is waiting
Creative Writing Workshop:
The Love Formula
2pm, Friday 21 October
The Lighthouse, Tannachie House,
Falmouth University, Wood Lane, TR11 4RH
Tickets: £5 and Free for students
Do you want to write romantic novels or erotic fiction but struggle to get past the cringe factor? Then this supportive and fun workshop led by Falmouth University’s lecturers and creative writers, Jo Parsons and Jennifer Young, is for you.
We will teach you how to write your own romantic kissing/raunchy sex scenes but the level of sauciness is up to you! Cakes, wine, and soft drinks will be provided.
Jo Parsons is a Lecturer at Falmouth University. Her research interests focus on subjects including the Body, Gender Studies, Genre Fiction, and Romantic Fictions.
Jennifer Young is the Head of Writing and Journalism at Falmouth. Her current writing project is a trilogy of historical thrillers set in the UK in the 50s. The first of these, Cold Crash, won the Cinnamon Press debut novel prize.
NEW TIME/DATE:
Paterson Joseph: the Secret Diaries of Charles of Ignatius Sancho
NEW TIME/DATE
3pm, Sunday 23rd October
at The Poly
Tickets: £8 and £5
One of Britain's best loved actors, Paterson Joseph comes to Falmouth to talk about his utterly captivating and haunting debut novel 'The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho', the true tale of a great Black Briton whose story has remained hidden for over 300 years.
"An absolutely thrilling, throat-catching wonder of a historical novel. Told in wonderful prose and with dazzling energy and brilliant panache. Hugely recommended." Stephen Fry
"I so admire Joseph's verbal imagination... In a huge, warm, real voice, Joseph makes us look at a past world from another perspective. It's terrific." Harriet Walter
Cornish Language Workshop
11am, Saturday 22 October
The Library
Tickets: £5 and £3
Once thought lost in 1777 with the demise of Dolly Pentreath – the Mousehole fisherwoman cited as the last native Cornish speaker – the Cornish language is now alive and kicking, with enthusiasts of all ages helping to drive home the importance of Cornwall’s native tongue in helping us better understand Cornwall’s unique sense of place and inspiring culture.
Have you ever fancied learning a bit of Cornish, want to hear it spoken, but don't quite know where to start? Why not come along to a taster session with Yeth Kernewek/ The Cornish Language Fellowship and learn a few phrases.
Cornish language books will be available to view and purchase as well to help you on your Cornish language journey. Dha weles enna/ See you there!"
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Can Writing Save the Ocean?
With Philip Marsden, Fiona Gell and Natalie Hart
Midday, Saturday 22nd October
at The Poly. Tickets: £8 and £5
From Moby Dick to The Mermaid of Black Conch, the sea has inspired storytellers for generations. But amid a rapidly changing climate, the health of the ocean and the wellbeing of all those who depend on it are under threat.
Join novelist and marine conservationist Natalie Hart as she talks to authors Philip Marsden, Fiona Gell and Wyl Menmur about the role of writing in engaging readers to help protect the seas that we love.
"There is no better guide to the deep and dazzling meanings found on the western fringe of Europe than Philip Marsden" Patrick Barkham
"Every page of Spring Tides gives the reader everything they want... A book for our time." Monique Roffey
"Hart writes piercingly about loss. . . . A memorable, cohesive story of a fractured life." Guardian
Sheila Hancock in conversation
2pm, Saturday 22nd October
Princess Pavilion
Tickets: £10 and £5
Join one of Britain’s best loved actors as she opens up about her family, friends and working life. Sheila Hancock's memoir, Old Rage, published this year, takes a wry look at life in her ninth decade and how, despite Brexit, bereavement, diagnoses, and pandemics, she always finds reasons for joy.
'Never less than courageous and often desperately moving" ― Daily Telegraph
"Her gift for directly communicating the open-heartedness and spirit of adventure with which she confronts her life is the stuff of bestsellers"
Joan Bakewell, the Guardian
Rachel Joyce: Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North
3.30pm, Saturday 22nd October
at The Poly
Tickets: £8 and £5
Rachel Joyce is the author of international bestsellers including The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy and Miss Benson's Beetle and a collection of interlinked short stories, A Snow Garden & Other Stories. Her new novel, Maureen Fry & the Angel of the North is published in October 2022. The film of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is in production for release late in 2022.
'Short but very special. ... funny, touching and quite beautiful.' Matt Cain
'A powerful finale to her classic trilogy of heartbreak and healing.' Clare Chambers
'Just brilliant' Patrick Gale
Olia Hercules
in conversation with Charlotte Hobson
#CookforUkraine
5pm, Saturday 22nd October
The Poly
Tickets: £8 and £5
Olia Hercules is an award-winning cookery writer and co-founder of #CookForUkraine. In her most personal book yet, Olia distils a lifetime of kitchen curiosity into her most loved recipes, drawing on her broad influences from all the places she has called home: her childhood in Ukraine; her years in Cyprus and Italy; and with her family in London.
'This beautiful book makes me feel I'm in Olia's kitchen, which is just as much a joy as the exquisite but simple recipes' Nigella Lawson
'Heartfelt storytelling and truly beautiful, honest food' Jamie Oliver
'Original, thought-provoking, beautiful. A wonderful book' Diana Henry
Will Hodgkinson:
1970s Britain and the Golden Age of Pop
6.30pm, Saturday 22nd October
The Poly
Tickets: £8 and £5
Times critic and nonfiction author Will Hodgkinson is one of the most high profile music writers out there. In his latest book In Perfect Harmony, he tells the story of 1970s Britain through the prism of its sublimely uncool singalong pop culture and across a backdrop of political unrest, IRA bombings and national strikes.
'Instead of walking the byways and backwaters of '70s pop, Will Hodgkinson heads straight down the high street... the results of Hodgkinson's research are hugely entertaining and informative. A terrific read and a valuable book, too.' Bob Stanley
"Full of bold characters and strange stories, 'In Perfect Harmony' might start out Middle of the Road but I takes audacious left turns all the way.' * * * * Mojo
Will Self in conversation
8pm, Saturday 22nd October
at The Poly
Tickets: £8 and £5
Will Self is a celebrated novelist, award-winning journalist and cultural commentator, and one of the best essayists of his generation.
In his latest book, Why Read?, a cornucopia of thoughtful and brilliantly witty essays, he looks at contemporary attitudes to writing and literature, as well as a wider range of subjects including the legacy of Chernobyl and the ongoing climate crisis.
"Self is the most daring and delightful novelist of his generation, a writer whose formidable intellect is mercilessly targeted on the limits of the cerebral as a means of understanding. Yes, he makes you think, but he also insists that you feel. ― Guardian
"Self often enough writes with such vividness it's as if he is the first person to see anything at all." New York Times
Mensun Bound: The Discovery of Shackleton's Endurance
Midday, Sunday 23 October
at The Poly
Tickets: £8 and £5
Leading maritime archaeologist Mensun Bound - dubbed "the Indiana Jones of the Deep" - has discovered many of the world’s most famous shipwrecks. He'll be telling the story of how, in March 2022, he was part of the archaeological expedition that succeeded in finding the wreck of Shackleton's Endurance.
"In spellbinding prose, Mensun Bound narrates how Shackleton's Endurance was located 3,000 metres below sea level in one of the most inhospitable parts of our planet. Peppered throughout with captivating tales of Shackleton and his crew, it is a must read for any armchair explorer". Sir Ranulph Fiennes, British explorer and author of Shackleton
John Higgs - Bond and the Beatles
1.30pm, Sunday 23rd October
Tickets: £8 and £5
John Higgs is a cultural magpie and the master of telling old stories in new and unique ways. In his latest book, Love and Let Die, he looks back to Friday 5th October 1962, the day on which Dr No, the first Bond film, and 'Love Me Do', the first Beatles record were both released, and takes us on a rollercoaster ride through 20th Century British Cultural history.
"If you take popular culture seriously, this is the book for you." JEREMY DELLER
"This is more than just a book about those two cultural colossi, the Beatles and Bond... Humane, droll and wise, there is some brilliant apercu, revelation or connection on every page. A dazzling, daring, recondite and immensely readable pop culture critique." STUART MACONIE
Rebecca Humphries: Why Did You Stay?
CANCELLED - Sadly we have had to cancel this event.
When paparazzi caught Rebecca Humphries' then boyfriend Sean Walsh kissing his Strictly Come Dancing partner back in 2018, it sent her life into a tailspin. But rather than being cast as the victim the award-winning actor and writer decided to confront the story head on and has written a timely and empowering memoir about toxic relationships, self-worth and reframing disaster into something magical.
'Fierce. Game-changing. Urgently necessary. Brilliant, brilliant and did I say brilliant?' EMMA THOMPSON
'Pacy, vivid, compelling and very, VERY funny ... it will help so many' MARIAN KEYES
'So thoughtful and moving and funny and sad and great, I love it so, so much. I resented having to put it down' DAISY BUCHANAN
Natasha Brown: A Daring Debut
4.30pm, Sunday 23 October
The Poly,
Tickets: £8 and £5
Natasha Brown is the author of Assembly, one of the most talked-about debuts of last year. Shortlisted for multiple Prizes and chosen as a Book of the Year by booksellers, writers and readers, it tells the story of a young woman preparing to attend a lavish garden party at her boyfriend's family estate, deep in the English countryside. As the minutes tick by and the future beckons, she begins to re-consider the carefully assembled version she has created of herself.
'Virtuosic, exquisite, achingly unique' Guardian
'This is the kind of book that doesn't just mark the moment things change, but also makes that change possible' Ali Smith
'Exquisite, daring, utterly captivating. A stunning new writer' Bernardine Evaristo