Sian Hoyle and Jenny Denton explain how, with relatively little experience, they established The Derby Book Festival.
March and April 2014
One thing was certain from the outset – we wanted a “book” festival, not a “literature” festival. People “get” books, but literature can be daunting and turn people off. We wanted a festival which could be enjoyed by all ages and interests.
And, so it begins. Other Festival organisers, including Lowdham, Ilkley and Huddersfield, generously share their experience and try to make us see the reality of the huge amount of work involved: venues, funding, designers, website, volunteers, pitches, sponsors – booking the authors is the easy bit it seems. We are amazed that, without exception, our idea is met with interest, enthusiasm and a wish to be involved.
May and June 2014
We each draw up our wish list of four authors, neither of us knowing how to contact an author and convince them to come to an unknown festival in Derby. At our first meetings, in London, we are asked: “Derby? Isn’t it near Durham … no … Cambridge?” We begin to adopt a mantra: “Derby, only 90 minutes from St Pancras” to reassure those who are uncomfortable north of Watford.... Keep reading on The Independent
March and April 2014
One thing was certain from the outset – we wanted a “book” festival, not a “literature” festival. People “get” books, but literature can be daunting and turn people off. We wanted a festival which could be enjoyed by all ages and interests.
And, so it begins. Other Festival organisers, including Lowdham, Ilkley and Huddersfield, generously share their experience and try to make us see the reality of the huge amount of work involved: venues, funding, designers, website, volunteers, pitches, sponsors – booking the authors is the easy bit it seems. We are amazed that, without exception, our idea is met with interest, enthusiasm and a wish to be involved.
May and June 2014
We each draw up our wish list of four authors, neither of us knowing how to contact an author and convince them to come to an unknown festival in Derby. At our first meetings, in London, we are asked: “Derby? Isn’t it near Durham … no … Cambridge?” We begin to adopt a mantra: “Derby, only 90 minutes from St Pancras” to reassure those who are uncomfortable north of Watford.... Keep reading on The Independent