Hear your favourite authors talk at your local library this autumn!

By Lucy Neill | September 29, 2025

As the evenings draw in and you’re scratching your head for things to do through the colder months, our upcoming programme of author talks is quickly heating up! We’re super excited to be supporting a handful of Suffolk’s great literary festivals this season, including the Ipswich Book Festival, the Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival, and the Southwold Literary Festival.

From Ann Cleaves to David Blake, there’s something for everyone at the library this autumn, and with tickets starting as low as £0 (no, you didn’t read that wrong), your cultural fix just got sorted.

Peter Parker & AJ West

Where: Biblioteca do Condado de Ipswich

When: Saturday 4 October

Two incredible writers, one compelling topic: queer life in London.

A frank and candid conversation and discussion with the authors of the factual Some Men in London, and the fictional A Traição de Thomas True. Join Peter Parker and A.J West for what is sure to be a fascinating event.

This talk has been organised as part of Ipswich Book Festival. Please visit the New Wolsey Theatre website for more information and to book tickets.

Michael Robb

Where: Biblioteca do Condado de Ipswich

When: Sunday 5 October

A must for anyone passionate about books, bookshops and the power of the published word.

Former bookseller turned author Michael Robb will chat about his new book Shelf Life: A Journey Through the Past, Present & Future of Bookselling and Publishing in Britain.

This talk has been organised as part of Ipswich Book Festival. Please visit the New Wolsey Theatre website for more information and to book tickets.

Robert Taylor

Where: Biblioteca de Bury St Edmunds

When: Wednesday 8 October

‘John Wells is the man with a personal vendetta against everyone from the local GP’s receptionist through to the Prime Minister.’

Author and blogger Robert Taylor will be talking to us about living with blindness, writing and engage with the audience about his latest novel, Wish Dead List, a Covid-redemption story, as well as his Travelling Blind blog.

This talk is free to attend but booking is required. Bookings can be made in-person at the library, over the phone or on-line no TicketSource.

East Anglian Voices: Emily Buchanan, Ashley Hickson-Lovence and Katie Ward

Where: Biblioteca de Bury St Edmunds

When: Saturday 11 October

Suffolk Community Libraries’ very own Lisa Brennan will chat with authors Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Emily Buchanan and Katie Ward about their brilliant books and what being a writer in East Anglia means to them. This event will be followed by a book signing.

This event is part of the Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival. Standard tickets are £10 each and can be booked on the Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival website.

Esther Freud

Where: Biblioteca de Mildenhall

When: Tuesday 14 October

Esther Freud will be talking about her new novel My Sister and Other Lovers, as well as Suffolk being a main character in her novels. She’ll also be teasing Enchanted Beach, her novel set to publish this summer, set on Walberswick Beach.

This talk is free to attend but booking is required. Bookings can be made in-person at the library, over the phone or on-line no TicketSource.

Ann Cleeves

Where: Biblioteca de Southwold

When: Thursday 16 October

Multi-million copy bestselling thriller author Ann Cleeves will be talking to us about her career so far and her latest Jimmy Perez novel, The Killing Stones.

Her first Shetland novel, Raven Black, won the Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger for best crime novel, and Ann was awarded the CWA Diamond Dagger in 2017. She was awarded the OBE in 2022 for services to reading and libraries.

Tickets are £25, including a signed copy of The Killing Stones. Additional talk-only tickets can be bought for £10 with every full price ticket bought. Book your tickets in-person at the library or on-line no TicketSource.

Tracy Borman

Where: Biblioteca de Lavenham

When: Saturday 1 November

Tracy Borman OBE, proud patron of Lavenham Library, will join us at Lavenham Village Hall for this special afternoon tea fundraiser. Tracy will discuss her career as an author and historian, and her latest book, The Stolen Crown – a tale of treachery, deceit and the death of the Tudor Dynasty.

Tickets are £13.70 each. Bookings can be made in-person at Lavenham Library or online on Eventbrite.

Southwold Literary Festival

Where: Southwold Arts Centre

When: Friday 7 – Saturday 9 November

Southwold Literary Festival will be returning for its third year this November at Southwold Arts Centre with a brand-new line up of authors from a variety of genres!

Includes talks with Alison Weir, Richard Negus, Neil Lanham, Jasper Fforde, Sarah Perry, Robert Ross, Robert Ashton, Sophie Hannah, and Wendy Holden.

Tickets can be booked at Southwold Library, either in-person or by calling 01502 722519. Tickets can also be booked on-line no TicketSource.

Mandy Morton and Nicola Upson

Where: Biblioteca de Felixstowe

When: Saturday 15 November

A double-feature author talk with crime writers Mandy Morton and Nicola Upson! Morton and Upson will be talking to us about their writing careers and their new Christmas books, Six Tails at Midnight – the latest instalment in The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency – and The Christmas Clue – a festive mystery starring the real-life couple who invented Cluedo.

Tickets are £8 each (cash only). Bookings can be made in-person at Felixstowe Library, over the phone by calling 01394 330850 or via email at felixstowe.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk.

David Blake

Where: Biblioteca de Mildenhall

When: Thursday 20 November

Internationally bestselling author David Blake will be talking to us about his career so far and his Norfolk-based crime novel Broadland.

Having sold over a million books around the world, and with number one bestsellers in both the UK and Australia, David is known for writing fast-paced crime thrillers that are impossible to put down.

This event is free to attend – come along from 14:00. For more information, speak with a member of staff or contact Mildenhall Library on 01638 597292.

Our libraries regularly run events with authors and guest speakers. To see what events are happening near you, visit our What’s On page on the Suffolk Community Libraries website.

We can’t wait to see you at an author talk this autumn! Until then, happy reading.