Author Event | Helena Attlee

Join Helena in opening the Stoke Book Festival, transporting us to destinations featured in her works, where idyllic landscapes and fascinating tales of travel and history are described. As an author and journalist specialising in gardens and their history. Helena's love of Italy and travel has inspired her work; her latest book, The Fire in the Mountain: Sicily, Etna, and Her People, published in April this year, narrates her experience of spending a season in a village on the slopes of Mount Etna, Europe’s largest and most active volcano, and explores the stories of the people and landscapes she encountered.

About the Author

Helena Attlee is a bestselling non-fiction author. The Fire in The Mountain, Sicily, Etna and Her People was published in April 2026, and broadcast as BBC Radio 4’s ‘Book of the Week’ in August. Lev’s Violin, An Italian Adventure, published 2022, was also ‘Book of the Week’. The Land Where Lemons Grow came out in 2014. It was a Sunday Times bestseller, was shortlisted for the Stanford Dolman travel writing prize, won the Guild of Food Writers’ Book of the Year, and was also broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

What to Expect

• 60-minute author conversation
• Audience Q&A
• Book signing will be available afterwards
• Books available to purchase
• Suitable for ages 14+

About the Venue

Wheelchair Access: The main ground floor is fully accessible via ramps. Note that specific historical areas like the Peace Chapel and belfry require using stairs.

Toilets: An accessible toilet and general toilets are available onsite.

Parking: A car park is located directly opposite the building on Kingsway (ST4 1JB).

Additional Support: Assistance dogs are welcome.

Public transport links: The bus stop on Glebe Street is served by Routes 24 (D&G), 23 & 40A (First Potteries). The nearest Railway Station is Stoke-on-Trent Railway, a 7-minute walk.

Arrival time: Doors open 30 minutes before the event

About Stoke Book Festival

Join us for a week of inspiring author talks, creative workshops, performances and community events, bringing readers and writers together from across Stoke-on-Trent and beyond.

Stoke-on-Trent is a city built on creativity, craftsmanship and community. This October, we’re bringing those qualities together for the Stoke Book Festival.

We break down barriers to participation, champion books, inspire creativity and create opportunities for residents and visitors to connect with literature, learning and culture.

By bringing together national and local talent, schools, libraries, businesses and communities, our goal is to improve engagement with reading and support youth literacy development in Stoke-on-Trent.

To discover more visit: www.StokeBookFestival.co.uk

Good to Know

• Please arrive 15–20 minutes before the event
• Late entry may not be possible once the event has started
• Tickets are non-refundable except in the event of cancellation by the Festival
• Photography may be taken during the festival
• Books can be purchased on the day (subject to availability)