Newark Book Festival

Cancer Works - Alex Kinnear-Mellor
2026-07-12 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | 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.

Literature Village
2026-07-12 10:00 - 15:00 | Newark Market Place, Newark Royal Market, Market Place, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1DU
We’re taking over the Market Place! Find local crafts, bookish organisations, authors and published books of all genres at the Newark Book Festival Literature Village. You’ll also find the festival’s Storybook Emporium by Ally Pally Arts hosting our very special Birthday Party Zone with free children’s crafts, with some of your favourite picture book characters and stories.
It’s the perfect opportunity to pick up a new stash to add to your TBR pile from independent and local authors and publishers. You’ll also find bookish accessories and homewares, such as beautifully crafted bookmarks, booksleeves, writing stationery, booklovers’ gifts, and much more.
Meet all the stallholders joining us this year here!

I really want to be a cat
2026-07-12 10:30 - 11:30 | Palace Theatre, Palace Theatre, Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Have you ever wanted to be a cat? Helen has, and she wrote a book about why. Join her as she reads the book, and then you will get to create your very own book about what animal you would love to be.

Maybe you want to be a cat too, or maybe an elephant is more your thing. Join Helen to get your creativity flowing.

This event is perfect for children aged 3 years + and their parents.

Pilgrim Cello
2026-07-12 11:00 - 12:00 | Tudor Hall, National Civil War Centre, National Civil War Centre, 14 Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Pilgrim Cello is a unique account of a unique journey. Travelling with his cello strapped to the front of a heavy cargo bike, Kenneth Wilson pedals 1,900 miles on a pilgrimage to all forty-two English cathedrals.
In these sacred and historic buildings, Kenneth unpacks his cello and fills the holy place with the solo music of Bach. He’s offering a Meditation on the last hours and the last words of Christ. His performance of music and poetry connects with people, with ancient stones, with history and humanity, and – perhaps obliquely – with the faith he once had but no longer has.
Join him, and enjoy the ride!
‘Elegiac, thoughtful, and filled with warmth. I loved following his extraordinary journey.’ Ava Glass, author of Alias Emma and The Traitor.

Paddington Cook & Craft Workshop
2026-07-12 11:00 - 12:30 | Learning Room, Palace Theatre, Palace Theatre, Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Come and bring the stories of Paddington alive with a delicious marmalade cake cooking workshop run by Jess Mitchell from Cook Stars. While the cakes bake, enjoy bear-themed arts and crafts, a drink and snack, and stories for you to read together.
Perfect for children aged 2 – 11 years. All tools, aprons, and ingredients for the Paddington workshop are provided.

Wenallt Star
2026-07-12 13:00 - 14:30 | Palace Theatre, Palace Theatre, Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
A bold and immersive live performance with writer/musician David Lambert and Sean South. Blending spoken text, narration, and live and recorded music, this performance brings to life fourteen original texts set against a rich mix of electronic, punk, and atmospheric soundscapes.
David Lambert is a Cardiff-born, Lincolnshire-based writer/musician whose creative journey took an unexpected turn. Whilst completing his second novel – a story of a mixed race, polyamorous relationship in a post WWII Cardiff – he found himself at an impasse, so he laid the novel down …
Seeking inspiration, he read fourteen novels in fourteen weeks – novels that addressed the themes and issues of his unfinished novel: family, loss, racism, memory, deceit, bisexuality, identity, love – engaging, as he read, the cut-up technique made popular by William S. Burroughs, Brion Gysin and David Bowie, ending up with something completely new – fourteen unique spoken texts. Over 14 months, David collaborated with the musicians Sean South, Stephen Hudson, Dave King, Liz Lenten, Duncan Chapman, Natalie Roe and Lucy Leland on the creation of 14 spoken texts to a range of diverse musical settings.
David added, ‘The fourteen novels are diverse and cinematic. Each of the album’s 14 compositions are inspired by the books. From Nella Larsens’s 1920s Harlem Renaissance novel ‘Passing’, which inspired the track ‘…hopeless things … the stars’. The cut-up text from Dodie Smith’s classic novel ‘I Capture The Castle’ inspired the punk soundtrack RESTLESSNESS. Whilst Nadifa Mohammed’s heart-breaking tale, based on a true story, The Fortune Men, with its Tiger Bay backdrop, saw its cut-up narrative become the nine-minute electronic trance piece ‘The Potion and the Poison’. Quartet in Autumn by Barbara Pym morphed into the 1980s Human League-type production ALL GONE / THAT TIME / THOSE PEOPLE – PAWB WEDI MYND / YR AMSER HYNNW / Y BOBL HYNNY. Each novel inspired a new piece of art.
“A fascinating exploration of language, poetry, improvisation, electronics, the human voice and imagination that would crash ChatGPT … BBC RADIO WALES – BBC Introducing – Adam Thomas Walton

40 min performance
15 min interval
20 min interview

Wildlife & Words
2026-07-12 13:00 - 14:30 | Learning Room, Palace Theatre, Palace Theatre, Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Join award-winning writer and facilitator Emma Oldham for a gentle, creative workshop that blends walking, urban wildlife, observation and writing, that invites you to slow down and see Newark with fresh eyes.
This 90-minute session invites you to slow down and see Newark with fresh eyes. Through a relaxed guided walk, you’ll be encouraged to notice the wilder side of Newark Town that we often miss — sounds, textures, movement, atmosphere and creatures — gathering inspiration from the natural world around you.
After a guided five-senses observation exercise, we’ll return indoors to turn what we’ve gathered into words. Through short, guided writing prompts, you’ll get the chance to transform your observations into poetry or micro-fiction. There’s no pressure to share, but participants are warmly invited to read their work in a supportive, encouraging space.
Perfect for beginners and experienced writers alike, this workshop focuses on the simple but powerful idea that writing begins with noticing. Just bring along a pen and a notebook.
For the start of the walk, meet outside Newark Town Hall, ready to leave at 1pm (please arrive early). The workshop will take place at the Learning Room at Palace Theatre.

Young Ambassadors VS Interviewers
2026-07-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Tudor Hall, National Civil War Centre, National Civil War Centre, 14 Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Featuring the festival’s interviewers, Dr Tim Rideout and Alex Hawley, Southside Broadcaster Alex Lewczuk, and Waterstones Newark Manager Megan Abbott.
Expect sharp questions, behind-the-scenes insights, and plenty of surprises as the next generation of readers takes charge.

Wine & Words
2026-07-12 15:00 - 17:00 | Letsxcape Café, Letsxcape Café, Unit 16, The Buttermarket, Newark Market Square, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1BF, United Kingdom
Join local poets Fiona Theokritoff and Jane Wyles for an afternoon of poetry, wine and afternoon tea at Newark’s Boardgame Café. Fiona and Jane will perform an entertaining mix of their own work, as well as some well-loved poems. You’ll also have the chance to contribute to the Wine and Words poem for 2026!
Tickets include a welcome drink, plus tea and scones. To book tickets, call Fiona on 07553 928099.

Go All In: Reading for Pleasure
2026-07-12 15:30 - 16:30 | Palace Theatre, Palace Theatre, Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
In conversation with Nick Quantrill, three authors explore how stories shape us, comfort us, and bring us back to ourselves.
L.C. Winter introduces Spider Spider, a gothic debut steeped in atmosphere and human connection. Mike Gayle shares On We Go, a deeply moving story of loss, love, and rediscovery. Dr Caroline Cauchi discusses Daughter of the Titanic, a powerful reimagining of memory, myth, and legacy.
In this “Go All In: National Year of Reading 2026” event, they’ll reflect on why reading for pleasure matters, for children, teens, and adults alike, and how building a reading culture at home and beyond can transform lives.

Toby and the Pixies, Draw-a-long Workshop
2026-07-12 16:00 - 17:00 | Tudor Hall, National Civil War Centre, National Civil War Centre, 14 Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY
Discover all the secrets of making great comics, from character design to speech bubbles, and have a lot of fun along the way. Join comics writer and artist James Turner, creator of the award-winning Star Cat graphic novel series and writer of Toby and the Pixies, in a draw-a-long workshop.
Come up with your own magical pixie characters and learn how to bring your characters to life in a silly adventure.
Perfect for children aged 7-9 years and their adults.
