The University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education is teaming up with Cambridge Literary Festival to hold a glittering author event at the Institute’s home in the stunning sixteenth century mansion of Madingley Hall. The event is one of the highlights of a weekend of creative writing seminars and a literary dinner – all designed to appeal to booklovers and writers.

On Saturday 8 April, 2017, 4.30pm award-winning author, Lucy Hughes-Hallett will be talking about her new novel, Peculiar Ground and how liberating and alarming it can be to write fiction after her hugely successful career as a critic and biographer..

The event will be followed by the Institute’s first-ever literary dinner. Historian and broadcaster Tom Holland, award-winning crime writer Elly Griffiths and food writer and owner of Fitzbillies, Tim Hayward will discuss their work and sign books. Topping, Ely-based independent bookseller, will be selling books on the day.

There will also be the chance to pick up tips from ICE’s creative writing tutors, all published authors, in a series of seminars on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday 8 April Dr Sarah Burton will discuss how to pep up your fiction, Midge Gillies will talk about the road to publication and Sue Teddern, whose credits include Cooking in a Bedsitter (BBC Radio 4) and Birds of a Feather and Homefront (TV) will offer a practical workshop on writing for radio.

On Sunday 9 April Natasha Pulley, author of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street and The Bedlam Stacks, will discuss writing fantasy fiction. Derek Niemann, country diary columnist for the Guardian, will – weather permitting – hold an open-air workshop in Madingley Hall’s beautiful grounds, designed by Capability Brown. Screen writer, Rick Harvey will discuss “theme” when writing for screen or page.

For more information and to book your place