Published on Tuesday 22 May 2012 03:45

Internationally acclaimed authors have signed up for Leeds city centre’s first major book festival.

Award-winning Yorkshire author Joanne Harris will be discussing her latest novel Peaches for Monsieur le Curé at the Leeds Big Bookend Festival on June 16 and 17.

The Chocolat author – who was educated at Wakefield Girls’ High School and taught English at the Grammar School at Leeds – will headline the literary event.

Best selling crime thriller novelist Peter James will also talk about his latest book Not Dead Yet at the festival, to be held at the Carriageworks theatre on Millenium Square.

Younger bookworms will get the chance to meet popular author Cathy Cassidy – who wrote the ‘Chocolate Box’ series of children’s books – and Steve Cole, author of ‘The Slime Squad’ and ‘Cows in Action.’

And children’s book illustrator Kate Pankhurst will run a family illustration workshop.

Liz Ward, who orgainsed the event with the help of Leeds Library Services and Waterstones, said she wants it to be a “Rock festival for words,” adding: “This festival is not just about books and reading, it’s about stories, creativity, fun, fantasy and facts.

“It is the first of its kind in Leeds and I’m hoping it will become an annual event.”

She added: “The calibre of people we have got coming to the event is exceptional.”

Among the 11 events over the weekend will be a discussion about authors from Leeds hosted by Mick McCann, author of How Leeds Changed the World and Anthony Clavane, author of The Promised Land.

Simon Jenkins, author of the Great Leeds Pub Crawl and the YEP’s beer and pubs writer, will host a tutored beer tasting.

For details on how to book tickets, priced from £3, go to: www.carriageworkstheatre.org.uk or call the theatre on 0113 2243801 or go to to: www.bigbookend.co.uk for more details.



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