crowdfunder_main_image_3x2

Essex Book Festival 2021 #BackWithABang crowdfunder

Help us make Essex Book Festival bigger & better in 2021. More books. More stories. More walks, talks & big conversations.

From 1st November to 13th December 2020 we are running our crowdfunder campaign – #BackWithABang.

This year, due to Covid-19, we had to cancel our festival 11 days before the end. To say that we were disappointed doesn’t begin to express how we felt.

However, we consider ourselves the lucky ones. Thanks to exceptional support from friends and partners, plus an Emergency Grant from Arts Council England, the show is still on the road for 2021. 

The size of the show hangs in the balance and will depend on support from our funders and kind donations from others. 

Read about our plans for Essex Book Festival 2021 on our crowdfunder page.

Videos of support from festival friends

We’re proud to work with so many wonderful people here at Essex Book Festival. A few of our festival friends have made some videos showing their support for the festival.

Take a look at the videos of support

The Rewards

There are some fabulous rewards on offer on our crowdfunder page. You can either treat yourself or they make great gifts. They can be delivered in time for Christmas too. Goodness knows we all deserve a treat in these tricky times. Here’s a taster of what’s on offer…

Maggi Hambling signed books x 2

Festival friend and international artist Maggi Hambling has donated two of her beautiful books (both signed): ‘The Sea’, and ‘War Requiem & Aftermath’. We can’t think of better Christmas presents for art lovers everywhere. £55 (or more) for both books.


Limited edition #ManifestoForEssex Zine

ManifestoForEssexZine_cover_3x2

Become the proud owner of one of our wonderful #ManifestoForEssex zines created by Essex artist Lu Williams + young people living in Essex. You will also be thanked in our brochure. #ManifestoForEssex is a creative platform for young people to express their thoughts about tackling Climate Change. The zine asks important questions, harnesses Essex’s rebellious spirit and captures the energy of our young people. A great Xmas present! £10 (or more)

Watch a video by Chelmsford City Council in response to our #ManifestoForEssex


ManifestoForEssex Go Green Writing Pack

We are delighted to offer: 1 x There Is No Planet B Postcard designed by one of our young #ManifestoFor Essex Makers at Colchester Makerspace; 1 x Essex Book Festival Recycled Pad & Pen; A sheet of 60 You Have The Power To Make Change stickers. You will also be thanked in our brochure. It’s a great Xmas present – or two! £10 (or more)


No Planet B Tote Bag

There’s always room for another tote bag in everybody’s lives. Our No Planet B Tote Bag is extra special because it uses a design created by one of our friends at Colchester Makerspace as part of our #ManifestoForEssex activities. Get in quick for this one. You will also be thanked in our brochure. Great Xmas present – or two!! £10 (or more)


Mystery Book

Everybody likes to receive a book in the post. It’s even better when you haven’t a clue what you will be getting. We have been donated a fabulous assortment of books from crime to historical fiction, memoir to politics. You will also be thanked in our brochure. Take the plunge. Special thanks to Red Lion Books and Wivenhoe Books. £15 (or more)


Signed copy of AL Kennedy’s ‘Serious Sweet’

We are delighted to offer you the chance to purchase a signed copy of Essex Book Festival Patron A L Kennedy’s novel ‘Serious Sweet’, which was long-listed for 2016 Man Booker Prize. You will also be thanked in our brochure. £15 (or more)


Colchester Makespace Young Essex Printing Workshop

Learn the basic principles of screen printing with Colchester Makerspace using old school, hand-cut paper stencils and come away with a poster you’ve designed and printed yourself. Value £20 (£15 Child’s + £5 for accompanying adult) Date of sessions tbc. £20 (or more)

Take a look at the posters created by young people at our #ManifestoForEssex Print and Illustration workshop at Makerspace.


A Zooming Wonderful Coffee Morning with Liz Trenow

Liz Trenow

Best-selling Essex author Liz Trenow has offered to host an online Zooming Wonderful Coffee Morning for twenty. She will be chatting about all things SILK: something that Liz knows more than a thing or two about. All participants will be sent a complimentary coffee mug beforehand. You will also be thanked in our brochure. A gift voucher is available and will be sent in time for Christmas. £25 (or more)

liztrenow.com


A Zooming Wonderful Coffee Morning with Syd Moore

Syd Moore

Best-selling Essex author Syd Moore has offered to host a Zooming Wonderful Coffee Morning online for twenty, where she will be chatting about all things WITCHES and ESSEX GIRLS: something that Syd knows more than a thing or two about. All participants will be send a complimentary coffee mug beforehand. You will also be thanked in our brochure. A gift voucher is available and will be sent in time for Christmas. £25 (or more)

sydmoore.com


Zooming Wonderful Coffee Morning With James Canton

Essex author/academic Dr James Canton will host an online Zooming Wonderful Coffee Morning for twenty, where he will be chatting about all things TREES: something that he knows plenty about following the publication of ‘The Oak Papers’ (Radio 4’s Book of the Week). All participants will be sent a complimentary coffee mug beforehand. You will also be thanked in our brochure. £25 (or more)

jamescanton.co.uk


How To Get Get Published 1:2:1 SESSION

Essex Book Festival Trustee & Literary Agent Camilla Shestopal (www.shesto-literary.com) has kindly offered to run 1-hour 1:2:1 sessions for those looking to get published. A rare opportunity for any aspiring writer on the search for an agent/publisher. You will also be thanked in our brochure. £100 (or more)


Essex Book Festival 2021 Special Pass

Our special Essex Book Festival pass will get you into 10 events for free, plus 1 workshop. We will contact you as soon as tickets go on sale to ensure that you don’t miss out. You will also be thanked in our brochure. £100 (or more)


Signed Copy of Grayson Perry by Jacky Klein – UPDATE: Reward sold out!

A wonderful opportunity to nab yourself a copy of the spectacular updated and expanded ‘Grayson Perry’ by Art Historian Jackie Klein, and signed by Chelmsford-born Grayson himself. You will also be thanked in our brochure. Plus it’s a fabulous Xmas present !! £50 (or more)


Over to you! Go to our crowdfunder page to donate today.

A huge thanks from the Festival Team in advance.