Gateshead's Hilton Hotel hosted the North East's first romance and fantasy book festival, Once Upon a Tyne, on Saturday, drawing book lovers for a day of panels, signings, and bookish activities.
Festival highlights
Attendees enjoyed panel talks with authors, book signings, book-inspired merchandise, quizzes, and the Once Upon a Time Trials. Authors travelled from as far as New Zealand and America, while local authors also took the stage to showcase the North East's literary talent.
The atmosphere was electric, with stalls from publishers showcasing their authors, plus book-inspired bakes, clothing, candles and wax melts, jewellery, and book clubs.
First of its kind in the region
While similar conventions occur in the USA and in areas like Leeds and London, Once Upon a Tyne is the first of its kind in the North East. The event was the brainchild of Amy Whitehead and Natalie Mears, who dreamed it up in March.
The festival's success on Saturday suggests it could become a staple in every book lover's calendar. A gallery of 26 pictures from the event captured the day's excitement.
