Building on the success of last year's inaugural Falmouth Book Festival, organisers are excited to announce the line-up for the 2022 event. The 2021 pilot event was a major success with over 2,000 attendees and 80% of talks and workshops sold out and a glowing reception from heavyweight authors.

The 2022 Falmouth Book Festival lasts a full week from Monday 17-Sunday 23 October, and with a line-up featuring beloved actors, celebrity chefs, internationally renowned environmentalists, and award-winning novelists, meaning the event is fast becoming one of the major book festivals in the Southwest.

Amongst the impressive line-up, some of the stand-out names include acclaimed actress Sheila Hancock, chef, and campaigner Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, Cornwall-based favourite Raynor Winn, environmentalist George Monbiot, and the inimitable Will Self.

Events will take place throughout the Cornish port, at the Poly, The Pavilion, the former Methodist Church on the Moor, and Falmouth Library.

In the coming weeks, organisers will release details of a series of weekend writing workshops, an educational programme that brings award-winning writers into local schools, and a line-up of children's book events that are all totally free to attend.

Founder and Director Colin Midson said, "It's important for us to build on the successes of last year's event and bring really exceptional, nationally renowned authors to town. But there's a lot of variation in the programme too: this year we have debut novelists, a maritime explorer, acclaimed art historians, and some wonderful surprises like the actor-turned-novelist like Paterson Joseph, who I'm sure will draw a huge crowd."

Paul Springer, director of the School of Communication at Falmouth University said, "The Falmouth Book Festival will, once again, profile the best of the written word produced in the UK, while celebrating the fact that the written word is one of Cornwall's best exports!"

Richard Wilcox, Executive Director of Falmouth BID, said: "Falmouth Book Festival is another brilliant example of grassroots collaboration. Falmouth is a dynamic and creative destination, which punches well above its weight; attracting people from all around the world for its festivals and events, superb food, and drink scene, bustling high street, and community offering."

Here are some of the headline acts for 2022:

On Monday 17th, Raynor Winn makes a welcome return to Falmouth for this year's launch event. She will be celebrating the publication of her latest book Landlines, her follow-up to the international bestselling nature memoirs The Salt Path and The Wild Silence. She will be in conversation with award-winning local writer Cathy Rentzenbrink.

Campaigning food writer and cookbook author Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is launching his new book River Cottage: Comfort Food. On Tuesday 18th, He will be talking to the BBC's Jemma Woodman about the solace to be found in certain meals and the importance of changing our eating habits for the better.

George Monbiot is one of our most significant environmental campaigners and the winner of this year's Orwell Prize for journalism. On Thursday 20th, he'll be talking to Tim Smit about his new book Regenesis, the climate crisis, and the need to change the way we eat before it's too late.

On Friday 21st, celebrated actor Paterson Joseph (Vigil, The Beach, Peep Show) will be talking about his debut novel The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho.

One of Britain's best-loved actors, Shelia Hancock - in conversation Saturday 22nd. In her latest memoir, Old Rage, published this year, she takes a wry look at life in her ninth decade and how, despite Brexit, bereavement, diagnoses, and pandemics, she always finds reasons for joy.

For more information and the full schedule check the website: Activities (falmouthbookfestival.com)