Event details
In partnership with Cheltenham Literature Festival & Cheltenham BID
We’re bringing networking to Cheltenham Literature Festival – with a literary twist!
Join us in the VIP Lounge for A Novel Way to Network, a relaxed and engaging C2S event built around the books, ideas and stories that have stayed with us, shaped our thinking or simply brought us joy.
Also be one of the first people to hear from the CEO of Cheltenham BID Julie Reader-Sullivan
We’re asking everyone who joins us to bring along a book – or two!
It could be:
📚 A book/s that has inspired you professionally – perhaps something that changed the way you lead, work, communicate or think about business.
❤️ A personal favourite – the novel you recommend to everyone, a book you return to time and again, or simply one you absolutely loved.
There are no right or wrong choices. From leadership and personal development to biographies, thrillers, classics, history, travel or the latest novel you couldn’t put down – bring the book that means something to you.
Connecting through conversation
Rather than traditional networking, we’ll gather around tables in small groups, giving everyone the opportunity to share their choices, talk about why they matter and discover what others are reading.
Books have a wonderful way of opening up conversations. They tell us something about the people who choose them and can lead us into discussions about ideas, experiences, ambitions, challenges and completely unexpected shared interests.
And, of course, there will still be plenty of time to make new connections and catch up with familiar faces across the C2S community.
The C2S Reading List
We’ll be collecting the titles and authors of every book brought along and, following the event, we’ll bring them all together to create and share our very own A Novel Way to Network Reading List.
Who knows what we’ll discover – or what might make it onto your reading pile next?
Come along, bring a book, share a story and make a new connection.
Because sometimes the best conversations start with a great book.
Find Out More About Cheltenham Literature Festival 2026
A Novel Way to Network is taking place right at the heart of one of the highlights of Cheltenham’s cultural calendar, so why not make sure you enjoy everything the Festival has to offer?
Running from 9–18 October 2026, The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival is the world’s longest-running literature festival, with more than 500 events across ten packed days. Expect brilliant authors, leading thinkers, cultural commentators, stars of stage and screen, lively debate, new ideas and plenty of opportunities to discover something unexpected.
This year’s line-up includes names such as Richard Osman, Maggie O’Farrell, Ian Rankin, Mary Beard, Lucy Worsley, Sandi Toksvig, Katherine Ryan, Greg James, Matt Haig, Sebastian Faulks, Victoria Hislop and David Olusoga, alongside exciting new writers and emerging voices from around the world.
And it isn’t only about books. Across the Festival you’ll find conversations spanning business and big ideas, current affairs, history, crime, art and design, food and drink, travel, nature, entertainment, poetry and popular culture, as well as workshops, performances and special events.
There is also plenty to experience beyond the ticketed programme. More than 30% of the Festival programme is free, with activities and events taking place across the Festival site and around Cheltenham.
So, after a morning of great books, great conversations and new connections with C2S, take some time to explore the Festival Village, hear from someone who inspires you, discover a new author – and perhaps leave with another book to add to your reading list!
Venue details
Cheltenham Literture Festival, Montpellier Gardens, Montpellier Spa Road, GL50 1UW
- Category:
Enquiry
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