1)  Judy Finnigan East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

The former This Morning presenter will be talking to husband and co-presenter Richard Madeley about her second novel I Do Not Sleep which tells the story of a mother struggling to come to terms with the loss of her 20-year-old son, who disappeared in a sailing accident five years previously.

See our interview with her here.

Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ on Monday, March 2 from 7:30pm to 9pm. Details: 01206 573948, essexbookfestival.org.uk

2) Jessie Burton

The UK’s most successful début writer in 2014 will be interviewed by Captain America actress Hayley Atwell about her best-selling book The Minituarist, a gripping thriller about the journeys and lives of two women in Amsterdam in 1686. It has been translated into 31 different languages and  sold more than 100,000 copies. 

Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, Wednesday, March 11, 7.30pm to 8.45pm

3) Samantha Shannon

Tipped to be the next JK Rowling, she has already found success with her Bone Season series. Hear about the wonderful world of The Mime Order and become a fan of the next big fantasy series before Andy Serkis brings the adaptation to the big screen. 

 

Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, Thursday, March 12, 7.30pm to 9.45pm

4) Jonathan Swan

Local historian Jonathan Swan will be talking about life in Chelmsford during World War One.

Essex Record’s Office, Wharf Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6YT, Saturday, March 14, 11am to 1pm

5) Jon Ronson East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

His non-fiction book Men Who Stare at Goats was transformed into a film staring George Clooney and his novel The Psychopath Test is being adapted for screen. He will talk about the follow-up book So You've Been Publicly Shamed, in this illustrated one-man-show.

Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, Wednesday, March 18, 7.30pm to 8.45pm

6) Sarah Perry

Born in Essex and a former pupil of County High School for Girls her début novel After Me Comes the Flood was nominated for the Guardian First Novel Award and was a winner at the East Anglian Book Awards 2014.

County High School for Girls, Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1RW, Friday, March 20, 7pm to 9pm

7) Alix Christie

A reporter and foreign correspondent for many years, Alix is also a passionate printer, an interest explored in her powerful historical novel Gutenberg's Apprentice about a young German scribe apprenticed to one of history's most extraordinary characters, Johann Gutenberg, creator of the first printed Bibles.

Epping Library, St John’s Road, Epping, CM16 5DN, Friday, March 27, 2pm to 4pm.

Details: essexbookfestival.org.uk