Festival of reading

Sunningdale-based authors David Barker and Fiona Barker write books for both adults and children. David’s Gold trilogy, written for adult readers, is a gripping series of crime thrillers packed with twists. 

Their table will feature an exciting selection of their work, including David’s children’s adventure books and Fiona’s beautifully illustrated picture books.

Tracy Corbett is an award-winning author who lives in rural Surrey. After a long career with Citizens Advice, Tracy is now a full-time author. She describes her writing style as modern tales of romance, with engaging quirky characters, who overcome adversity, grow as people and conclude in satisfying optimistic endings.

Local author Emma Denny is the award-winning writer of the Barden series, a collection of LGBT+ historical romance novels set in the 14th century. Passionate about love stories, Emma won the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Popular Romantic Novel Award in 2025.

Emma Denny will also be giving a talk on enjoying and writing romance for the festival at 1:40pm. Free to join, just drop in.

Bracknell-based Gavin Eyers has written the ghostly novels The Deceit Birds and The Garden of Longing, as well as the Christmas novella Amber in December. He also enjoys writing short stories, many of which have appeared in anthologies.

North Ascot author Peter Frost is the creator of the three-book Uncle Chris’s Collection of Crafty Short Stories series – quick, twisty mysteries packed with clues, perfect for a short read and a challenge to solve the mystery before the end.

Sandhurst-based Belinda Foster is the author of The Funeral-Goers, a poignant and humorous novel inspired by her sixteen years as a funeral celebrant.

This is the story of friendship between two retired women who have an unusual hobby: they attend the funerals of strangers. Lyra prefers the term 'mystery mourners'. Daisy worries they are gate crashers.

Local author Sarah Harper is the author of Ella’s Ghost, her debut novel, which is a domestic abuse psychological thriller with a supernatural edge. 

Exploring themes of gaslighting, identity and survival, at its heart is a compelling story of resilience and hope.

Wokingham-based author and GP, Will Hearsey is the self-published author of Ink in the Margins, a book documenting his unexpected eight-year journey to record 11 songs, each in a different place with a different group of musicians - a fun project that became a life-changing adventure.

Local author Peter Hyson is the writer of the Cotswold Capers, a series of 4 light-hearted murder mysteries set in the picturesque - and surprisingly deadly - village of Much Slaughter. Perfect for readers who enjoy cosy crime, colourful characters and a generous dose of humour.

Peter Hyson will also be giving a talk on writing cosy mysteries for the festival at 12:30pm. Free to join, just drop in.

Bestselling novelist Ben Kane is the writer of Roman historical fiction. Eleven of Ben Kane's novels have been Sunday Times Top 10 bestsellers. Published in 15 countries, he has sold more than two and a quarter million books worldwide.

Local author David Palin writes dark psychological thrillers packed with compelling characters, secrets and twists. His latest novel, The Scorpion Archipelago, is a chilling tale of lost civilisations and buried treasure set in the remote Southern Ocean. His books include three novels featuring DCI Ben Logan, a detective who cannot recognise faces, and The Wife Before Last, a gripping story of three ex-Stasi operatives who flee Berlin after the fall of the Wall and rebuild their lives in the UK underworld.

David Palin will also be giving a talk on thriller writing and his writer’s journey for the festival at 11:30am. Free to join, just drop in.

Andrew Radgick, History Officer of The Bracknell Forest Society, is passionate about uncovering local history. In 2024, he published his fascinating account of Bracknell before the new town. He is now researching his next book, exploring the story of how Bracknell transformed into a new town.

Scots-born and resident of North Ascot for 25 years, Gordon Simpson is the author of Four Deadly Swings, a gripping crime thriller set against the glamorous world of professional golf at Wentworth.

Gordon draws on his career as a golf writer and former Communications Director for the DP World Tour. With murder, rivalry, drugs and deadly secrets at the heart of the story, Four Deadly Swings is a must for fans of golf and crime fiction.

Maaika van der Wel is the author of Attrickwater: Lilly, the first book in her World War II historical fiction trilogy — a story of lies, spies, Spitfires and suspender belts. With a background in jewellery design and aviation, Maaika now works as a funeral arranger in Windsor. The next two books in the series are due to be published in 2027.

E. L. Williams is the multi award-winning author of the Ethereal World series - witchy, character-driven fantasy novels where reluctant heroines harness the power of love, friendship, and wild magic to save the world. With a lifelong passion for nature and with more than two decades of experience advising companies on sustainability, Emma’s writing is deeply influenced by her love of animals and the natural world. Emma is also the founder and organiser of Bracknell Book Fair.

E L Williams will also be giving a talk for the festival at 10:30am about the surprising benefits of reading fantasy novels. Free to join, just drop in.

Stuart has always been a creative. He started as a typographic designer before writing his first novel with a friend some 20 plus years ago. He has since written a self-help book, a children’s chapter book, a short play, and the screenplay for his book: The Codex Deception.

He loves stories with intrigue and esoteric tropes as he’s fascinated by history that is lost to us. His stories are set in this world but include speculations on what technologies may have come before ours. He also loves the thrill of the chase so includes fast-paced action, martial arts and a healthy dose of twists and turns.