There’s something really satisfying about turning the page on the old year and embarking on the new one. Not least of all for the hearty pile of new books accrued over the Christmas period! I say that with Chloe Dalton’s best-selling memoir Raising Hare nudging my elbow: a reminder of one of the fabulous authors who will be taking part in this year’s Festival in partnership with EA Festival.
Our focus for 2025 is Community. The richness and diversity of Essex. Our extraordinary history and heritage, and the people who have shaped it and continue to shape our wonderful county. Our wonderful coastline and the many islands forming the Essex ‘Archipelago’, which we will exploring with walks, talks, workshops, picnics, swims, and letters to another island across the Globe under the banner of ‘Radical Islands’. We are even heading into ‘Old Essex’ to host an event in Hackney with Hackney Wicked Women thanks to support from the Federation of Essex Women’s Institutes.
Our New Year’s message is clear and simple: block out June!
From Mersea Island to Maldon, Harwich to Harlow, Castle Hedingham to Layer Marney, Colchester to Chelmsford, Braintree to Basildon, Billericay to Grays, and Witham to Southend, Essex Book Festival is coming to a town (or city) near you!
See you soon,
Ros Green
Festival Director