Beccles Library organises Simon Scarrow and others for talk

Beccles Book Festival - run by Beccles Library - will see Matthew Harffy, Elizabeth Fremantle and Harry Sidebottom give talks at Hungate Hall on Saturday, December 9.

A Sunday Times No.1 bestselling author, Mr Scarrow, will give an earlier talk at Blyburgate Hall on Wednesday, November 22.

His books have sold more than five million copies and include his Eagles of the Empire series which features Roman soldiers Marco and Cato.Beccles Library, off Blyburgate. (Image: Archant library)

All four are bestselling authors and one of Ms Freemantle’s books, Queen’s Gambit, has recently been made into a film called Firebrand starring Jude Law and Alicia Vikander, which is due to be released this autumn.

Sharon Chapman, library manager, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the trustees of the Beccles Library Community Trust on such an exciting venture.

"Especially with such wonderful authors choosing to visit our lovely market town.

"We are all sure it will be hugely supported by our customers and local businesses and hope to grow the Beccles Book Festival in the future.”

Author Simon Scarrow is coming to Beccles

Lisa Brennan, Suffolk Libraries content and reader development librarian and organiser of the events, said: “It's very exciting to be launching this new book festival in Beccles with a brilliant event with the amazingly talented author Simon Scarrow a couple of weeks before the festival takes place.

"As well as a combination of interviews and author talks, there will also be the opportunity for those attending to purchase books and have them signed by the authors taking part.”

Each event will include a talk by the author followed by a Q&A with the audience and a book signing.

For more information, the full schedule and to buy tickets for any of the events, see the Suffolk Libraries website at www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/whats-on/festival/beccles-historical-festival