The Hay Festival launches its 34th spring edition, broadcasting for free online from Hay-on-Wye to the world 26 May–6 June. Over 12 days, more than 200 acclaimed writers, global policy makers, historians, poets, pioneers and innovators join together to inspire, examine, and entertain in events for all ages. All events are closed-captioned and available to watch for free on the Hay Player.

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The first novel in nearly 20 years from actor/writer/director Ethan Hawke, A Bright Ray of Darkness, is about love, fame, heartbreak, and the healing power of art—a blistering story of a young man making his Broadway debut just as his marriage implodes. Here, he talks to David Mitchell, author of Cloud Atlas, The Bone Clocks, and most recently Utopia Avenue.

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The Virtual Book Channel

The Virtual Book Channel

Launched during the coronavirus pandemic as virtual literary communities began emerging in vital and unexpected ways, The Virtual Book Channel seeks to provide the best possible platforms for writers to reach their readers. The VBC (aka “The Veeb”) is a curated channel that archives live-streamed programming through partnerships with independent bookstores, literary festivals, authors' WFH spaces, and more.