MK Lit Fest takes readers to Iceland, Kyrgyzstan - and to stadiums across the world

Waterstones Milton Keynes and MK Lit Fest welcome author and university lecturer, Samuel M. Sargeant, on October 16, talking about his thrilling new historical novel, Faith of their Fathers. Perfect for Ken Follett fans, this debut novel tells the story of Arinbjorn, a young farmer in Iceland at the dawn of the 11th Century. When a spate of murders threatens the fragile peace between pagans and a growing Christian minority, he resolves to track down the killer before his community is permanently torn apart.

Another debut author joins our Online Programme on 6 November. Drawing on her experience as a TV director/producer and lifelong love of travel, Sue Turbett demonstrates her passion for empowering stories in her novel, Eagle Sister. In 13th century Central Asia, young Gulzura tends her nomadic tribe’s sheep. After she rescues a baby eagle, she embarks on a perilous quest ordained by the gods, her clan’s fate now in her hands. Sue will also share ‘the story of the story’: the travel and research needed to write compellingly about a time and people beyond our knowledge, and share stunning photographs of Kyrgyzstan and her encounters with eagles and their handlers.

Singer, TV and radio presenter, beauty and lifestyle coach, and author Janey Lee Grace will be at Waterstones on 20 November. Janey cut her teeth performing in the nightclubs of Manchester and Birmingham, getting her big break with Mari Wilson before singing backing vocals for all Wham!’s tours, and several other stars. Moving to radio, she became a co-presenter on Steve Wright in the Afternoon. From Wham! to Woo documents the pit falls, fun stuff and behind-the-scenes stories she has encountered during her career, as well as her most recent health and holistic ventures and her inspiring podcasts, talks and blogs. Janey is very much still on the mic!

And there’s much, much more…

To mark Movember, the Festival has lined up twenty of the finest male poets – aged 22 to 71, gay or straight, and with diverse ethnic backgrounds – to explore being male in the C21st. Poets for Movember takes place online on 12 November, with all profits going to charity.

The Festival’s regular writing competitions are back in action. Entries are open until 19 January for the MinK2025 Creative Writing Competition on the theme of ‘Home’, with prizes for winning entries. And Lit Fest wants your festive flash fiction for a special online end of year event on 18 December, Never Mind the Baubles: enter by 23 November.

With Christmas gifting – and local writers – in mind, The MK Indie Book Fair for self- and indie-published writers takes place in MK Central Library on 7 December. Authors can register online now.

And for writers wanting to understand the professional world of books, a Practicalities of Publishing: Masterclass and Networking Event will take place on 26 November at Aiimi in CMK>

For more info visit the Festival website, follow on Facebook, X, Instagram or Threads, or sign up for their newsletter.