New podcast episode captures voices from Derby Book Festival

The first of our special Derby Book Festival podcast episodes is now live, bringing together author conversations, festival reflections and the buzz of people coming together through books.

Recorded during the Festival in May, this new episode of A Shared Reading Podcast by Derby Book Festival takes listeners behind the scenes of the Festival and into the conversations that happen when writers, readers, volunteers and visitors gather in the same place.

Hosted by Shared Reading volunteers Ellie and Steve, the episode features interviews with author and broadcaster Claudia Hammond, children’s author Ben Davies, Derby Book Festival’s Children and Young People’s Co-ordinator Vanessa Cameron, and author Janet Tennant.

It’s the first of three special festival episodes recorded as part of this year’s Derby Book Festival, capturing some of the voices, stories and moments of connection from across our podcast recording sessions.

Capturing the feeling of the Festival

For anyone who came along to Derby Book Festival this year, the episode offers a chance to revisit some of that festival atmosphere: the conversations before and after events, the excitement of hearing from writers, and the warmth that comes from being surrounded by people who love books, stories and ideas.

For those who weren’t able to attend, it offers a flavour of what makes the Festival feel so special.

Throughout the episode, you’ll hear people reflecting on their festival experience, from the welcoming atmosphere to the conversations and connections that happen when people come together around books.

In this episode

Claudia Hammond, author of Overwhelmed, shares a reading from her book and some evidence-backed advice on how we can worry less in our busy, pressure-filled lives.

Ben Davies, children’s author, joins us after running a Festival writing workshop, sharing reflections on creativity, storytelling and writing for younger readers.

Vanessa Cameron, Derby Book Festival’s Children and Young People’s Co-ordinator, talks about the Festival’s children’s programme and the Children’s Book Appeal, and why helping children access books matters.

Janet Tennant, author of Refugee Countess, shares more about the remarkable life of Marion Stein and the story behind her book.

You’ll also hear what our featured authors are reading now, along with reflections from festival-goers on the atmosphere, conversations and connections that make Derby Book Festival feel so special.

Together, these conversations offer a rich and varied glimpse into the Festival, moving from wellbeing and creativity to children’s books, hidden histories, biography and the joy of shared conversation.

Listen now

You can listen to the episode here

The podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you usually listen to podcasts.

If you enjoy the episode, please do follow or subscribe, download the episode and share it with anyone who loves books, conversation and community. It really helps more people discover the podcast and learn about Shared Reading.

New to the podcast?

A Shared Reading Podcast by Derby Book Festival celebrates local voices, community connection and the conversations that begin when we read together.

Each episode gives a flavour of our Shared Reading programme: warm, welcoming conversations through stories, poems and other short texts. Across the series, we’ve featured local writers, Shared Reading volunteers and participants, all sharing their experiences of reading, connection and community.

What is Shared Reading?

Shared Reading is a simple, welcoming way to enjoy stories, poems and other short texts in a group. A trained volunteer reads aloud, then everyone is invited to chat about whatever the words bring up - memories, feelings, ideas, favourite lines, or anything else that comes to mind. There’s no prep, no pressure and no need to be a literature expert. You can share as much or as little as you like, or simply listen. We run Shared Reading groups across Derby and Derbyshire, including in community venues, libraries, cafés, healthcare settings and online.

Could you help keep the podcast going?

We’d love to keep growing A Shared Reading Podcast by Derby Book Festival and continue sharing local voices, author conversations and stories of reading, wellbeing and connection.

To make that possible, we’re looking for support from individuals and organisations who can help us sustain the series. This could include sponsoring an episode, supporting a future season, sharing the podcast through your networks, including it in a newsletter, website or social post, or offering in-kind support such as recording space, promotion, design, photography or other practical help.

Sponsorship starts from £100 for community support, with options to sponsor or co-sponsor individual episodes and seasons. If you or your organisation would like to support a community podcast that celebrates reading, creativity, wellbeing and connection, we’d love to have a conversation: shared.reading@derbybookfestival.co.uk