The Boy Lost in the Maze - Joseph Coelho

Joseph Coelho: The Boy Lost in the Maze

A spellbinding event with the former Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho.

Take an adventure from Ancient Greece to the modern day with Joseph’s new verse novel, where Theseus finds his father and encounters the minotaur on his journey. This interactive story allows the reader to control the story, encompassing myth, magic, monsters, and reality.

Joseph Coelho will be in conversation with local author Ashley Hickson-Lovence, whose latest YA book Wild East is set in Norwich. Wild East follows 14-year-old wannabe rapper Ronny, who finds himself one of the only Black teenagers in a mostly white school after his mum moves them out of London.

This fascinating event will explore the role of the outsider in young adult fiction and the art of writing.

In this event, the audience will have the chance to ask questions and learn more about The Boy Lost in the Maze, which won the YOTO Carnegie 2024 Medal for Writing. Perfect for young adult readers and beyond.

Norwich Book Festival: 24-27 October 2024

A brand-new festival celebrating stories comes to Norwich, 24-27 October. Norwich Book Festival is designed for readers, with a programme of events for everybody to enjoy. Taking place in England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, Norwich Book Festival includes events from across genres, including crime, popular-science and politics, as well as two days of free activities at The Forum in Norwich.

To find out more about the Festival, visit norwichbookfestival.co.uk, find them on social, or sign up to the e-news here

Norwich Book Festival is presented by The Forum, alongside key partners National Centre for Writing, Norfolk County Council – Library and Information Service, and University of East Anglia, booksellers, and other local organisations.

About Joseph Coelho

Joseph Coelho became the Waterstones Children’s Laureate in 2022. His debut poetry collection Werewolf Club Rules, published by Frances Lincoln, won the CLiPPA Poetry Award in 2015. He has written plays for young people for the Theatre Royal York, Pied Piper, Polka and The Unicorn Theatres. As well as poetry and plays, Joseph also writes picture books including Luna Loves Library Day (Andersen Press) and non-fiction books including How To Write Poems (Bloomsbury). All of his work has poetry and an element of performance at its heart making his festival and school sessions dynamic occasions. Joseph is a staunch ambassador for Britain’s straitened public libraries. He lives in Kent.

About Ashley Hickson-Lovence

Ashley Hickson-Lovence is a poet, novelist and university lecturer with a PhD in Creative and Critical Writing from the University of East Anglia.

His debut novel The 392 was published with OWN IT! in April 2019 and his second novel Your Show was released with Faber in April 2022 and was longlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize and shortlisted for the East Anglian Book Awards.