The first ever free Christian book festival in the UK will be held in a Gloucestershire town on November 4 and 5.

Stroud Baptist Church will host the book festival that will be filled with various activities to cater a wide range of readers. There will be children’s sessions, poetry, teen and young adult session, as well as some sessions dedicated to the more mature readers. Fifteen Christian authors are expected to grace the new event called Book Blest, reports Premier Christian News.

This festival is an example of how the Church is alive and forward-thinking. —Brendan Conboy, Christian author

Award-winning author Sophie Neville, who starred as ‘Titty’ in the 1974 film adaptation of Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons, will be the special guest of the book expo.

The first free Christian book festival was the brainchild of Stroud resident Brendan Conboy. The author of One God, Many Names, Conboy said, “We hear so much nowadays that the Church is dead and irrelevant. This festival is an example of how the Church is alive and forward-thinking.” He added, “As for relevance, why not come along and see for yourself? We feel connected to that which we can relate to, each of the featured authors brings something special, they relate through words.”

According to its website, Book Blest aims to give hope, support and encourage all Christian writers. The event hopes to highlight the amazing contributions of Christian authors in showing the world that God is real, relevant and relational.

Authors participating this year include Margaret McAllister, who writes for children, pre-schoolers and teens; Clive Dale, who has published eight books; and Corinna Turner, who authored over 25 books, including the “I Am Margaret” series, which was translated into four languages.

The two-day event is free to enter and enjoy.