Latest News | 22 April 2026
Shared Reading project releases latest podcast episode
Derby Book Festival has announced the release of a new episode of a podcast series, which aims to bring people closer together through reading.
Its Shared Reading community programme debuted its first podcast towards the end of last year, which was followed by a second episode released earlier this year.
The third episode is now available where the theme is ‘Friendship’. It features local author/illustrator and sketch note artist Sam Warburton and Shared Reading volunteer Lucy Prior.
Together they explore the theme through a Shared Reading-style discussion, sparked by two readings from Sam’s debut illustrated book ‘The Dog, The Bird, The Book’.

The project is currently inviting short pieces of writing (poems, flash fiction, micro-memoir, reflections) and prospective guests, especially local writers, and Shared Reading volunteers/participants who might like to share their experience.
To submit a piece or to be a guest on a future podcast episode e-mail shared.reading@derbybookfestival.co.uk.
Sponsors are currently sought to support future episodes. If you can help e-mail katie@derbybookfestival.co.uk.
To listen to the latest episode click here.