Crossing the Tees

02/09/2026

An evening with Ben Kane

Join us for an exciting evening as Ben discusses A Land Aflame, the thrilling fourth instalment in his acclaimed Hannibal series.

Ben Kane is the bestselling author of more than twenty historical adventure novels.
Set in 211 BC, A Land Aflame follows Hanno, Aurelia and Quintus as they struggle for survival amid the brutal conflict between Rome and Carthage. Will Rome prevail, or will Carthage emerge victorious?

Don't miss this opportunity to hear Ben Kane talk about the latest chapter in one of historical fiction's most gripping series.

📆Tuesday 15 September, 6:30 - 8pm
📍Seaton Carew Community Hub
🎫Book Online: https://tinyurl.com/yc69aycw

20/08/2026

Step into the world of Georgian masquerades with historian Meghan Kobza - perfect for Bridgerton fans!

Step into the dazzling world of Georgian masquerades with historian Meghan Kobza as she introduces her new book The Masquerade in this illustrated talk.

📍 Stockton Central Library
📅 Thursday 24 September, 6pm to 7.30pm
💷 £5 | Booking essential

For further information and to book visit https://tinyurl.com/4punzb42 or contact your local library.

07/08/2026

We are delighted to announce that ahead of his appearance on Sunday, CBeebies Superstar GEORGE WEBSTER will be popping into DRAKE to sign some books and meet fans.

From 2:30pm on Saturday 8th August, George will be with us on Silver Street signing and dedicating books for fans.

No booking required but do hurry along as stock will be limited.

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07/08/2026

A great opportunity for Tees Valley authors with Hartlepool Community Hubs

APPLICATIONS CLOSED!
𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀!

Hartlepool Community Hubs invite writers from Hartlepool and the Tees Valley region to apply to take part in a Local Author Showcase event.

📍Community Hub Central, York Road
Saturday 24th October 2026 between
10am and 1pm.

The event will allow writers the opportunity to introduce themselves and their books to an audience and sell copies of their book (commission free). There will also be an opportunity to have a 15 min “Meet the Author” session. The event will be promoted on the Council Website and Community Hub Socials, as well as local press and the National Year of Reading website.

Writers can work in any genre and can write for children or adults. Books can be self-published or traditionally published. Writers should live in Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, Darlington, or Redcar & Cleveland.

Please note- we are no longer accepting applications

03/08/2026

**TOMORROW - BOOK YOUR TICKET NOW!** Most of us are familiar with the story of Macbeth. In Hagtale, Sally O'Reilly reimagines the origins of Lady Macbeth

In eleventh-century Scotland, feral wolf-child Wulva is brought up by witches but sent to live at a Scottish castle where she falls under the spell of ambitious and cruel Lord Macbeth.

Join Sally as she introduces Hagtale and explores the power of stories lost and found, their redemptive power and who gets to tell the tale. Sally will be in conversation with Teesside author Amy Lord.

This event is part of New Writing North’s Northern Bookshelf programme.

Tuesday 4 August | 6.30pm | Acklam Community Hub & Library | £6/£4

Drake the Bookshop will have copies of Hagtale for sale at this event.

Visit www.crossingthetees.org/whats_on to book your place

30/07/2026

Most of us are familiar with the story of Macbeth. In Hagtale, Sally O'Reilly reimagines the origins of Lady Macbeth

In eleventh-century Scotland, feral wolf-child Wulva is brought up by witches but sent to live at a Scottish castle where she falls under the spell of ambitious and cruel Lord Macbeth.

Join Sally as she introduces Hagtale and explores the power of stories lost and found, their redemptive power and who gets to tell the tale. Sally will be in conversation with Teesside author Amy Lord.

This event is part of New Writing North’s Northern Bookshelf programme.

Tuesday 4 August | 6.30pm | Acklam Community Hub & Library | £6/£4

Drake the Bookshop will have copies of Hagtale for sale at this event.

Visit www.crossingthetees.org/whats_on to book your place

29/07/2026

Could you be one of the winners of this year's short story competition?

The competition closes at midnight on Friday 31 July. There is no theme for the short stories and anyone aged 16 and over can enter. The maximum word count is 3000 words.

All shortlisted stories will appear in a published anthology and there will cash prizes for the winners:
1st prize £100, 2nd prize £75, 3rd prize £50.

The winners will be announced in March 2027.

Entry is £5. You can enter the competition at www.stockton.gov.uk/shortstoryentry

29/07/2026

Last chance to book your FREE place for our Silent Disco Book Club with reader-in-residence Claire Jennings - Thursday 30 July | 6pm | Billingham Library. Suitable for age 16+

More details at www.crossingthetees.org.uk/whats_on/

25/07/2026

Join Reader-in-Residence Claire Jennings for a Silent Disco inspired book club night!

Don a pair of our Silent Disco headphones and choose one of three eaudiobooks to listen to in the relaxed surroundings of Billingham Library.

Visit www.crossingthetees.org/whats-on to book your FREE place.

24/07/2026

***ONE WEEK TO GO!!!***
Just one week left to submit your short story into this year's competition!
There is no theme for the short stories and anyone aged 16 and over can enter. The maximum word count is 3000 words.

All shortlisted stories will appear in a published anthology and there will cash prizes for the winners:
1st prize £100, 2nd prize £75, 3rd prize £50.

The winners will be announced in March 2027.

Closing date for entries is midnight Friday 31st July 2026.

Entry is £5. You can enter the competition at www.stockton.gov.uk/shortstory entry