Quaker writers sign up for Hay
Philip Gross, Sheila Hancock and Tracy Chevalier will be appearing at the Hay Festival
Three leading Quaker authors, Philip Gross, Sheila Hancock and Tracy Chevalier, have been confirmed to speak at the Hay Festival in May.
They will talk on the subject of how their faith influences their creativity and will take the stage on Sunday 28 May.
The festival, which is now in its thirtieth year, runs from Thursday 25 May until Sunday 4 June.
Award-winning poet Philip Gross said: ‘Where do my poetry and the Quaker way connect? In an attitude of spacious, vivid listening… being ready and willing to resonate with what you find in that deep place.’
Sheila Hancock, the actress and author, is looking forward to exchanging ideas with fellow panellists. Novelist Tracy Chevalier reflected: ‘I found writing about Quakers and our practice in my novel The Last Runaway made me think much more about how silence helps me in my own life to become grounded.’
Paul Parker, recording clerk of Britain Yearly Meeting, said: ‘I’m really looking forward to hearing these three amazing writers talking about how their Quaker faith infuses their work. It’s good to be working with the Hay Festival on what promises to be a thought-provoking, spiritually-refreshing and enlightening event.’
Sheila Hancock’s books include the memoir Just Me and the novel Miss Carter’s War.
Philip Gross’s collections include The Water Table, Deep Field and the forthcoming A Bright Acoustic.
Tracy Chevalier’s novels include Girl With a Pearl Earring, At the Edge of the Orchard and New Boy, to be published next month.
The discussion is run in partnership with Quakers in Britain.
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