An eagerly-awaited new book from The Times writer Ben Macintyre features at The Times/Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival on October 7-16.

The vibrant spa town of Cheltenham is transformed into a book lover’s dream welcoming more than 600 of the world’s finest writers, actors, politicians, poets and leading opinion formers to celebrate the joy of the written and spoken word.

Macintyre is a regular festival speaker and this year will be talking about his latest book SAS: Rogue Heroes, the first-ever authorised history of the famed Special Air Service (SAS) regiment on its 75^th anniversary. The book is published just a couple of weeks before the festival gets under way.

Six guest curators will bring their experience and insight to bear on the festival’s two main themes of America Uncovered and Millennials. They are: American writer, critic and former editor of Granta magazine John Freeman; Professor of American Literature Sarah Churchwell; comedian Reginald D Hunter; rapper, poet and academic Akala; Girl Lost in the City blogger Emma Gannon and writer and performer Cecilia Knapp.

As well as the very latest in Fiction, the festival offers events covering History, Art, Classic Literature, Music, Film, Theatre, Entertainment, Food & Lifetstyle. The children’s programme will boast two weekends packed with an exciting line-up of author events, shows and workshops for toddlers to teens.

Lit fest director Antonia Byatt said:

I am really excited to present my first festival at Cheltenham and it’s going to be amazing! In the run-up to the American election, we present a fascinating view of the USA from up-to-the-moment political analysis to a rich investigation of the nation’s culture.

The festival explores other pertinent issues of our times too and there is a chance to hear some of the best talent in fiction, poetry and spoken word.

This year the site will be really vibrant: there will be plenty of late entertainment as well as brilliant free activities for families. Above all, the festival is for people to come together to celebrate and enjoy the written and spoken word whether provocative, thoughtful, lyrical, satirical or downright funny.”

• The full festival line-up will be announced on Saturday August 13 at cheltenhamfestivals.com. Booking for the lit fest opens to members at 1pm on Wednesday August 31 and to the general public at 1pm on Wednesday September 7. To book, you need to create a wish list in advance.