Tickets have been released for this year’s Farnham Literary Festival (March 1 to 10), opening the book on an impressive line-up of best-selling authors and local talent.  

Farnham Town Council has arranged more than 30 events ranging from engaging author talks to creative workshops, conversations, film, live performances and competitions.  

The festival launches on March 1 with a 60-minute conversation between Jack Jewers and actor and writer Bob Cryer. Bob will give an entertaining insight into the life of his comedy legend father Barry Cryer and will be sharing material unique to the Cryer family  

Later in the week on March 8, there will be an evening with Hugh Bonneville. He will spend an hour sharing stories from his memoir Playing Under the Piano including what it was like to work with Dame Judi Dench and Julia Roberts and to play Robert de Niro’s right leg!

Councillor Kika Mirylees said: “There really is something for everyone at this year’s Farnham Literary Festival. You’ll discover new books and authors to add to your reading list from gripping spy fiction to entertaining memoirs. You can also sit back and immerse yourself in the big screen or be creative and enter our competitions for aspiring writers.”

In the First Five Thousand writing competition, unpublished authors are invited to submit the first 5,000 words of their novel and a 300-word synopsis. The deadline is February 1 and the competition will be judged by BA Paris, Louise Morrish, Gill Thompson, and Melanie Whipman. 

A second competition challenges poets to write a poem about friendship. The deadline for this competition is February 16.  

Throughout the festival, a schools’ programme has also been organised which will see local and bestselling authors going into schools to share the enjoyment of books and reading.  

The festival programme and details about how to book tickets can be found at www.farnhamliteraryfestival.co.uk