The Next Big Thing Is Coming To Bridlington

North Bridlington Library will be hosting ‘The Next Big Thing’ on Friday, 19 October, as part of the East Riding Festival of Words.

Debut authors, hotly tipped to become the bestsellers of tomorrow, will all be at the library that afternoon and evening, offering a chance for visitors to explore the best new literature on the market, with tickets from just £5 each.

Libby Page will be first up at 2pm with her uplifting novel, ‘The Lido’, described as ‘The feel good debut of the year’. A book about the importance of friendship, the value of community, and how ordinary people can protect the things they love, ‘The Lido’ has sold in over twenty territories and the film rights have been sold.

Phoebe Locke will take over at 3.30pm, with ‘The Tall Man’, a must- read thriller. The book is an addictive and unforgettable blend of psychological suspense and spine-tingling chills, perfect for fans of Stephen King. It features a senseless murder, a terrifying legend, and a family haunted.

The third new author will be Joe Shute, at 5pm, talking about ‘A Shadow Above: the Fall and Rise of the Raven’. Joe is an author and journalist with a passion for the natural world. He studied history at Leeds University, and works as a senior staff feature writer at The Daily Telegraph. He was formerly the crime correspondent for The Yorkshire Post. In the book, Joe follows ravens across their new hunting grounds, examining our complicated relationship with these challenging birds.

The final author will be Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott, presenting ‘Swan Song’, described as ‘seductive, spellbinding and marvellously skilful’. Based on ten years of research, this is a dazzling debut about the rise and self -destructive fall of Truman Capote and the beautiful, wealthy, vulnerable women he called his swans.

The Next Big Thing will be hosted overall by Louise Beech, who was a columnist on the Hull Daily Mail for ten years. Her debut novel, ‘How to be Brave’, was a number one bestseller in the UK and Australia. Paul Hughes, a published poet and manager of North Bridlington Library, will host the Joe Shute event.

Popular local children’s author, Marion Gamble will be holding an event at North Bridlington Library on Saturday 20 October at 10.30am as part of the Festival. The event will include a reading of Marion’s new book, Jack and the Boody Monster, plus crafts and activities. Tickets are just £3 per child, and accompanying adults are free.

The new-look Festival of Words will feature four days full of poetry, literature and spoken word events, and will also include the Dead Good Day dedicated to crime fiction; local bestsellers; a lively children’s festival; and a focus on dementia with local author Wendy Mitchell.

Tickets are available now for all events, and full details of the festival and how to book are at www.festivalofwords.co.uk