Crime, Punishment and Hope – Your Exclusive Look at Sunday’s Powerful Line-Up
We wanted you to be the first to hear about one of the most powerful days we’ve ever programmed at Heywood Literary Festival.
If you’re interested in thought-provoking crime and punishment literary events in the UK, then Sunday is not to be missed. With a theme of Crime, Punishment and Hope, we’ll take you from cartel money laundering to life inside a prison — and finally, to a hopeful look at our shared future, through fiction and debate.
Uncovering Financial Crime with Chris Blackhurst
We start the day with Chris Blackhurst, whose gripping investigation Too Big to Jail reveals how HSBC became embroiled in laundering billions for Mexican drug cartels. Chris is a fearless journalist, and this talk promises to be as shocking as it is essential.
Life Behind Bars: Gen Glaister on Prison Reform
Next up, Gen Glaister brings us into the reality of life behind bars with her eye-opening memoir Life of a Prison Officer. With a clear call for reform, Gen shares what really goes on inside UK prisons — the good, the bad and the unspoken. Her frontline experience gives us a rare and honest glimpse into a hidden world.
A Booker Prize Perspective: Samantha Harvey’s Orbital
At 3pm, we’re honoured to welcome Samantha Harvey, fresh from her 2024 Booker Prize win, to discuss Orbital — her breathtaking novel set aboard a space station. This is literature at its most expansive and human, and it’s a chance to hear from one of the country’s most acclaimed voices.
Youth Speaks: The Next Generation Takes the Stage
To round off the day, we look to the next generation. Youth Speaks, our closing event in partnership with Rotary, will feature brilliant young debaters from Matravers School. It’s always a festival favourite, and a fitting end to a day focused on justice, possibility, and change.
Festival Bookseller and Sponsor
You’ll also be able to browse books from our wonderful festival bookseller Hunting Raven Books, and we’re delighted to be supported on the day by our sponsor Wansbroughs LLP.
🎟️ We expect Sunday to be busy — and unforgettable. If you haven’t yet secured your ticket, book now and join us for one of the most compelling crime and punishment literary events in the UK.
See you there,
The Heywood Literary Festival Team
If you’re interested in thought-provoking crime and punishment literary events in the UK, then Sunday is not to be missed. With a theme of Crime, Punishment and Hope, we’ll take you from cartel money laundering to life inside a prison — and finally, to a hopeful look at our shared future, through fiction and debate.
We start the day with Chris Blackhurst, whose gripping investigation Too Big to Jail reveals how HSBC became embroiled in laundering billions for Mexican drug cartels. Chris is a fearless journalist, and this talk promises to be as shocking as it is essential.
Next up, Gen Glaister brings us into the reality of life behind bars with her eye-opening memoir Life of a Prison Officer. With a clear call for reform, Gen shares what really goes on inside UK prisons — the good, the bad and the unspoken. Her frontline experience gives us a rare and honest glimpse into a hidden world.
At 3pm, we’re honoured to welcome Samantha Harvey, fresh from her 2024 Booker Prize win, to discuss Orbital — her breathtaking novel set aboard a space station. This is literature at its most expansive and human, and it’s a chance to hear from one of the country’s most acclaimed voices.
To round off the day, we look to the next generation. Youth Speaks, our closing event in partnership with Rotary, will feature brilliant young debaters from Matravers School. It’s always a festival favourite, and a fitting end to a day focused on justice, possibility, and change.
You’ll also be able to browse books from our wonderful festival bookseller Hunting Raven Books, and we’re delighted to be supported on the day by our sponsor Wansbroughs LLP.
🎟️ We expect Sunday to be busy — and unforgettable. If you haven’t yet secured your ticket, book now and join us for one of the most compelling crime and punishment literary events in the UK.
See you there,
The Heywood Literary Festival Team
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