STROUD Book Festival returns from November 3-7 with over 30 live events in Stroud venues.

The festival is celebrating its sixth year with an uplifting, inspiring and entertaining programme hand-picked for Stroud.

Headline authors include Mary Portas, Jay Griffiths, Hassan Akkad, Tim Marshall, Kate Mosse, Madeleine Bunting and Anita Sethi.

Notable local wordsmiths include award-winning local business owner and coach Clare Honeyfield, rising star thriller writer Melanie Golding, debut novelists Sarah Edghill, Dan Glaister and Hannah Persaud and historical novelists Tessa Harris, Mandy Robotham and Sarah Steele. Stroud Short Stories’ 22nd event, entitled Wild, will be held on Sunday, November 7 at the Cotswold Playhouse.

Along with a Schools’ Day there are over a dozen events for children and families, including a celebration of Maisy Mouse’s 30th birthday.

Details via: stroudbookfestival.org.uk