Part of our initial plan was to engage with local children and schools. Working with the National Literacy Trust, we have a dedicated festival programme set within two local schools during school time on the Thursday and Friday, 6th and 7th Nov. Children from other local schools are invited to attend.
Huge thanks go to Simon and his team at East Whitby School, and to Gareth and his team at Whitby School, as well as the National Literacy Trust, and to a NYC Locality grant for helping make our school programme happen. Maybe we will see some of tomorrow’s authors nurtured through sewing the seeds of interest with these inspirational events.
Nancy Walbank is running a story and writing workshop starting by telling the story, ‘Hild the Peacemaker’ from her book ‘The Change makers’ (Hodder and Stoughton 2025). about 2 young children who climb the 199 steps and meet up with Caedmon, the poet, and help him write his poem. The children’s poetry writing will be […]
In this event, young readers will join Piers in exploring the breathtaking fantasy world of Midnight Treasure, meeting vampires and werewolves along the way. They will learn about the inspirations behind the series, including Dracula and other 'real' vampires, the history of Transylvania and Piers' own journey to uncovering his Romanian family heritage. Piers began his career […]
S.J. Baker, author of ‘Calm’ is presenting on dystopian fiction and the writer’s journey. From Handmaids to Hunger Games and beyond, the enduring popularity of dystopian fiction embodies this event, covering a survey of the dystopian genre on YA fiction, and she will discuss her writing journey sharing personal experiences of how to get published […]
Kjartan Poskitt, author of the Math Maze series and Runaway Pea series, introduces his new Mega Maths Maze full of pathways, traps and creatures. Once you’ve found your way through the river rapids, spooky forest and deep dark caves, you get to unlock the secret doors and go back to learn more about the strange […]
Mike Edwards will talk to children about his book, Riverskin. This inspired debut has its roots in a Teeside myth about a green-skinned witch who drags people to their doom from the banks of the river but offers so much more than a retelling of folklore. Using unique and compelling language to give Tess, the main […]
Yvette Fielding will be talking about her book ‘The Vampire of Whitby’. The Vampire of Whitby follows the tale of a young archaeologist who disappears during a dig at Whitby Abbey, triggering a terrifying and sinister chain of events. As an eerie fog settles on the town, young ghost hunters Eve, Clovis and Tom come […]
Join us for the awards ceremony for our children's writing competition. Winners will be announced across the four age categories for both poetry and short story categories. Winning entries will be read by the authors, or one of our judging panel. Free to attend (although donations are welcome). Book Tickets
