24 March 2025

The Redwings Book Festival is back!

Polly Crosby is headlining this year's event

Redwings’ Book Festival is back for 2025 and will be headlined by Norfolk-based author of gothic mysteries for adults and teens, Polly Crosby.

It follows last year’s inaugural event, organised to celebrate the charity’s Ruby anniversary year, which sold out within two weeks!

The Book Festival will take place at Redwings Caldecott Visitor Centre, in Norfolk, between 10am – 4.30pm on Saturday 14th June, and tickets are on sale now.

The cross-genre celebration of local and national authors will include Anna Sewell and Black Beauty expert Professor Tom Ruys Smith, husband and wife thriller writers A J Wills and AJ McDine and children’s authors Jane Badger and Cressida Burton.  

There will also be a special panel on 'How to get ahead in Publishing' featuring Polly Crosby alongside international bestsellers of historical romance Jenni Keer and Clare Marchant.

Nicola, Redwings’ Head of Communications and Campaigns, herself a published author, said: “We had such an amazing response to our first Book Fest that we just had to do it again.

“There’s just something about animal lovers and books! Whether you’re into thrillers, romance, historical, non-fiction or children’s literature, there’s really something to satisfy the interests of every type of reader, as well as the opportunity for budding authors to get advice from incredible established names, and new authors who are just coming through.

“Halesworth Bookshop are kindly joining us on site and of course, no event at Redwings would be complete without meeting some of our rescued residents.

“Caldecott is home to almost 100 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, including several of our ‘Adoption Stars’ and as a special treat, we’ve arranged a donkey reception for this year's attendees, to whom our centre is open and available to walk around too.”

The full list of authors confirmed so far is: Polly Crosby; Jane Badger; Cressida Burton; Amanda Wills (also writing as A J McDine), Thomas Ruys Smith; Jenni Keer; Clare Marchant; A J Wills; Nicola Knight. The complete schedule for the day is as follows (please note this may be subject to change)

Welcomed by donkeys at 10.00am on the lawn then go inside the marquee for coffee and pastries/biscuits

10.30am – Jane Badger, Amanda Wills and Cressida Burton – Writing for children (and why we love pony books!) – hosted by Professor Thomas Ruys Smith

11.30am – Keeping your family close – Writing thrillers as husband and wife – A J McDine and A J Wills – hosted by Nicola Knight

12.30pm – 1pm Lunch Break

1pm – Introduction to Redwings – Outside in the garden – meet the Gangsters!

1.30pm – Made in Norfolk – The story of Anna and Mary Sewell and Black Beauty – Professor Thomas Ruys Smith

2.30pm – Inspired by Norfolk - Polly Crosby – hosted by Nicola Knight

3.30pm – Panel session - How to get ahead in Publishing - Jenni Keer, Clare Marchant and Polly Crosby - hosted by Nicola Knight

4.30pm – Close

Tickets cost £20 for adults with free entry for children aged 16 and under*, and dogs (on a lead please!) are welcome. Every adult ticket includes a free Redwings Book Festival tote bag.

*Please note that while children are welcome there is no separate children's tent this year.

Read about last year's event here.

Date: Saturday June 14th 2025
Start time: 10:00am
Location: Redwings Caldecott, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
Audience: Suitable for all ages
Duration: 7 hours
Price: 20.00
Tickets: Book your ticket now