Newark Book Festival

Nordic Noir
2026-07-11 09:30 - 10:30 UTC | Tudor Hall, National Civil War Centre, National Civil War Centre, 14 Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Dark, gripping, and laced with sharp wit. Antti Tuomainen, dubbed “the funniest writer in Europe,” with The Winter Job, a darkly comic thriller racing through the frozen Finnish landscape with chaos, heart, and high stakes. Katrín Júlíusdóttir presents her latest novel, Stop Dead, an international bestseller that follows a detective-in-training caught in a deadly race against time.
Expect chilling tension, unexpected humour, and thrilling insight into the Nordic noir genre. Two authors published by Orenda Books, in an interview with Newark Book Festival Artistic Director, Sara Bullimore.

Deadly Landscapes
2026-07-11 11:30 - 12:30 | Tudor Hall, National Civil War Centre, National Civil War Centre, 14 Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
How does setting shape suspense? Join us for an afternoon at Tudor Hall as three leading crime writers, G.D. Wright, Ajay Chowdhury and M. J. Arlidge, explore the deadly landscapes in their own literature.
G.D. Wright draws on his experience as a retired police officer in the tightly plotted Against the Tide. Ajay Chowdhury, award-winning creator of the Kamil Rahman series, brings a speculative edge with Eden Falls. M. J. Arlidge returns with Out of the Ashes, a gripping DI Helen Grace thriller.
In conversation with Alex Hawley, this session uncovers how landscapes become characters in their own right.

Battle of the Genres
2026-07-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Palace Theatre, Palace Theatre, Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Four authors. Four genres. One lively literary showdown. Battle of the Genres brings together Mia Kuzniar (fantasy), Laura Purcell (gothic horror & historical fiction), Marcia Hutchinson (contemporary), and Tom Mead (golden age crime) as they go head-to-head to champion their craft.
From magical fantasy worlds and dark histories to powerful contemporary storytelling and classic crime, expect spirited debate, fascinating insights, and plenty of surprises as each author makes the case for their genre in an interview by Dr Tim Rideout.

Harriet Tyce: Witch Trial
2026-07-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Palace Theatre, Palace Theatre, Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Gripping, provocative, and impossible to put down, Witch Trial sees The Traitors contestant Harriet Tyce at her most compelling. A former criminal barrister and bestselling author of Blood Orange, Tyce joins us on stage with her tense new novel exploring truth, trust, and the power of public judgement.
When a murdered classmate casts a long shadow over two teenage girls, a modern-day witch trial ignites, dividing a nation. Who’s telling the truth, and what really happened? In conversation with Dr Tim Rideout.
‘Audacious, mind-bending, and brilliant. I couldn’t read it fast enough!’ LISA JEWELL
‘The absolute master of the legal thriller with a twist!’ G.D. WRIGHT
‘The best thing I’ve read this year. An absolute triumph of a book.’ ABIR MUKHERJEE

An evening with Jay McGuiness
2026-07-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Palace Theatre, Palace Theatre, Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
An explosive new dystopian fantasy series, perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, The Atlas Six and Leigh Bardugo.
Jay McGuiness, best known as a vocalist in the boy band The Wanted and winner of Strictly Come Dancing, joins us on stage to discuss his latest fantasy novel, Poison Tides, the sequel to his debut hit Blood Flowers. Now forging a powerful path in writing, Jay’s dystopian fantasy explores identity, power, and belonging through the journey of Bear, a small-town boy navigating a world that is as treacherous as it is transformative.
In conversation with Coco Omer, a dynamic cultural commentator and creator behind The Cult of Coco, known for championing stories across books, film, and TV, expect a lively, insightful discussion full of energy and humour.
In a small black narrowboat, Bear escapes the confined walls of his home town, Calleston, ready to help three witches find and free their captive sister. But the journey ahead is dangerous . . . Blots feast on human flesh and stalk the dark waters, and Bear discovers his best friend, Felix, is being hunted just beyond the wilderness.
Behind Calleston’s walls sits a new ruler, the Highlady Meya, who is ready to right the wrongs of her cruel father and change the Queendom for good. Meya is haunted by premonitions of Bear’s death. Though she can’t save him in her visions, she sees herself sitting by his side. But how can they reunite with vast distances between them? And if the premonitions are real … will Bear survive?
Jay McGuiness on main character Bear: “Bear is a small-town boy through and through, someone who was brought up with a keen sense of community, and of what is right and wrong, but he is naive to the wider world. To me, Bear represents the lifelong quest of holding on to your authentic self in an environment where not all influences are good. Bear has to figure out the world, and while he is doing so, his fears, and his own powers are growing. He is just beginning to venture out into a world that can be cruel, confusing, and dangerous, where it is easy to make bad choices, to lose your voice, forget who you are and the small town you came from.”
There will be a post-event meet and greet with Jay McGuiness, where he’ll be signing copies of Blood Flowers and Poison Tides. Please note that due to time constraints, Jay McGuiness will only be able to sign books purchased at the festival.

Cancer Works - Alex Kinnear-Mellor
2026-07-12 10:00 - 23:30 | Gannets Bistro, Gannets Bistro, 35 Castle Gate, Newark, NG24 1AZ, United Kingdom
How do you balance a career with not dying? Join Alex Kinnear-Mellor in a refreshingly real and unexpectedly uplifting conversation about cancer.
In a world where cancer diagnoses are increasingly common among the working-age population, Alex Kinnear-Mellor delivers an unconventional yet profoundly necessary narrative. ‘Cancer Works’ is not just a book; it’s a lifeline for anyone seeking to balance the colossal weight of cancer with the demands of their career.
With heartfelt honesty, wit, and unflinching courage, Alex shares her journey through cancer treatments while keeping her career afloat. This book challenges the traditional narratives surrounding cancer, offering insights, advice, and practical tips on how to navigate the treacherous waters of working life during
and after a cancer diagnosis.
Enjoy a short reading of Alex’s book Cancer Works: Balancing your career with not dying, followed by an informal “ask me anything” discussion, where no question is off limits, from the practical to the deeply personal. A relaxed, no-judgement space to explore the realities of cancer in a way we rarely get to, and with delicious coffee and cake.
Please note that while we strive to be inclusive and accessible to all, unfortunately, this venue does not have step-free access.

The Overthinkers Club: Happy List
2026-07-12 10:30 - 11:30 | Palace Theatre, Palace Theatre, Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Funny, honest, and full of relatable chaos, The Overthinkers Club introduces a brilliantly anxious new heroine from Nat Luurtsema, BAFTA-nominated screenwriter and stand-up comic.
Meet Birdie, a champion worrier facing friendship changes, big life shifts, and all the awkward moments in between. Can a “Happy List” really keep her overthinking in check? Packed with humour and heart, this illustrated diary-style story is perfect for readers aged 9+. In conversation with Festival Board Member Kate Hancock.
