Join us for an evening of discovery with award-winning writer Rob Cowen as he takes us on an unforgettable exploration of Britain’s great highway. Hailed one of the UK’s most original voices on nature, place and people, expect to be captivated by stories from and about Rob’s latest, genre-defying book The North Road.

At the heart of this book, written in kaleidoscopic prose is the A1; The Great North Road. A 400-mile multiplicity of ancient trackway, Roman road, pilgrim path, coach route and motorway that has run like a backbone through Britain for the last 2,000 years.

If you were to choose 100 weird and wonderful objects to represent our history, what would they be?  Join the acclaimed author of A Brief History of the Countryside in 100 Objects and the forthcoming A Brief History of the Coast in 100 Objects, in an engaging and humorous journey through 12,000 years of British life, told through some its strangest artefacts.

Bestselling author and columnist Sally Coulthard has spent the last two decades writing about her favourite things – the natural world, the history of interesting things, and practical stuff.

An enlightening discussion about her powerful book, Defiance - Racial Injustice, Police Brutality: A Sister’s Fight for the Truth.

The police killing of Christopher Alder in Hull in 1998 was one of the most notorious deaths in custody in the UK, involving the destruction of evidence, a whitewash of an investigation and illegal surveillance.

This event is a must for those passionate about human rights, social justice and equality.

Clare Chambers, award-winning author of Small Pleasures is back with a new novel. The Guardian has stated that 'Shy Creatures confirms Clare Chambers as one of our most talented writers' and we’re proud to announce that Clare will be joining us for Farsley Lit Fest.

Shy Creatures is a life-affirming novel about all the different ways we can be confined, how ordinary lives are built of delicate layers of experience, the joy of freedom and the transformative power of kindness.

We’re excited to announce that Terry Deary will be joining us for Farsley Lit Fest to tell us all about his riotous new history book for adults, Revolting. It’s definitely an event for those with an inquisitive mind.

Following three decades of the multimillion-copy bestselling Horrible Histories children’s series, Terry’s early fans are all grown-up and delighting once again in his playful, cheeky trademark humour as he writes for an older audience.

Author Robin Ince invites you to his new show that mixes poetry and happy stories about the things that have made life delightful, from Doctor Who and horror movies, to the camaraderie of protest marches and his love of dishevelled cemeteries.

It offers an insight into his new book Ice Cream for a Broken Tooth - a series of poems written about love, death and Bela Lugosi (and graves, trees and Judi Dench).

As part of the Farsley Lit Fest 2025, we are excited to welcome Bridget Collins, author of breakout sensation, #1 bestseller and bookseller favourite The Binding.

Bridget will be introducing us to her new, haunting, gothic tale of ancient darkness and a love that defies convention – The Naked Light.

Foodies! This one is for you. Join us for an evening with Diana Henry to celebrate the release of Around the Table. Diana’s new book is a sumptuous selection, a vivid and nourishing collection of essays on the joys of good food. It is an utter delight for the senses. Diana will be chatting to us in the relaxed setting of Farsley’s popular The Mill Kitchen and Bakery, with a glass of fizz, wine, beer or soft drink included in the ticket price.

Yeeha! Calling all rom-com fans. Don't miss this evening of laughter, stories, music, fizz and fun. As part of Farsley Lit Fest 2025, we are delighted to announce a super entertaining event with Suzan Holder.

Suzan will not only be telling us more about her new, funny and heartwarming book that reveals the exploits of Becky, a Dolly Parton tribute act, she’ll also be performing a musical number for us. Cowboy boots and hats not essential – but certainly welcomed!

Join our team of Librarians to get up-close and personal with a curated selection of treasures from the Central Library collections, focusing on our gardening and botanical collections from the 17th to the 20th-centuries. 

There’ll be the chance to handle rare books from our archive, as well as the opportunity to chat with staff about the current exhibition – Unearthed: The Power of Gardening. 

This event is part of Unearthed: The Power of Gardening exhibition, in partnership with the British Library and the Living Knowledge Network.