Our monthly 'Meet the Haymaker' series shares stories of the change-makers at the heart of Hay Festival and the impact it has had on their lives. This month, get to know Mel Owen, comedian, script writer, author and presenter, who's taking part in Scribblers Cymraeg 2025.
What does Hay Festival Global mean to you?
The Festival is one of those big unmissable dates in my calendar every year. I never feel more inspired to write than on the way home from the festival. The journey literally takes quadruple the amount of time it should because I spend so much time pulling over in my car to write something in my notes app that I don't want to forget. I've met so many new friends at the Festival with whom I share a love of reading and writing. It really is like Christmas for book lovers.
What’s your favourite Festival memory?
In 2025, my grandparents came to the festival for the first time to watch me record an event with BBC Radio Wales and it was such a special day. We spotted my book in the bookstore and had a little photo shoot with it… Was it cringe? Obviously! But was it the best day? Absolutely.
Have you ever changed your mind on something having been to a Hay Festival event?
I had been working on a script idea for what felt like an age, just going around and around in circles and never quite landing at the point where the concept worked. I had accepted that the idea possibly just did not work, however following a trip to the festival, a lightning strike of inspiration hit me and I saw the idea from a whole new angle. When I got home, I reworked it and the script is now a fully commissioned radio drama.
Listening to other writers talk about their work is so productive. If only there were a Hay Festival I could nip to every time I have writer's block
Who was the best speaker or performer you saw on a Hay Festival stage?
It is really difficult to pick, however if I had to choose an all-time favourite it would be the brilliant Adam Kay. His first book, This Is Going To Hurt, was my first dip back into reading for fun after four hard years at uni only reading the driest textbooks to have ever been published. I thought I had fallen out of love with reading completely, however Adam Kay's book shot me straight back into the world of literature. Seeing him at Hay Festival was my third time going to see him talk… I'm surprised I have not received a cease and desist.
What advice do you have for a first-timer at the Festival?
This is super cheesy, but just enjoy it. Because there are so many excellent events happening across the Festival, it can feel a little bit overwhelming. Especially if you are like me and suffer from FOMO (fear of missing out)! But I would recommend picking a couple of events you definitely want to see, then otherwise go with the flow and see where your visit takes you. Oh, and definitely bring enough manpower to carry home all of the books that you’re going to buy.
Sum up Hay Festival Global in five words or less…
The home of literature (it’s really not like me to come in under the word count, I’m really proud of myself here!)