A world of words at the Cheltenham Literature Festival

From Friday 7 October, thousands will descend on Cheltenham for one of the biggest dates on the literary calendar – a ten-day extravaganza of more than 600 events in celebration of the spoken and written word. This year's festival is as diverse as ever and sees leading authors and rising stars sit alongside big names in music, food, fashion, politics and more to debate the different challenges we face as a society today.

The programme will be centred on two main themes of discussion. The first will examine the one topic sure to continue to dominate headlines for the coming weeks - the US presidential election. Here, The Times will chair a debate on the UK's special relationship with our transatlantic cousins, with a panel including Armando Iannucci, creator of cult political satire The Thick of It, while journalist PJ O'Rourke unpicks the legacy of the incumbent president in the talk The Obama Years: Yes We Can – But Did We? There will also be an exploration of US literature past and present, including Orange Prize-winning novelist Lionel Shriver introducing her latest novel, The Mandibles: A Family, 2029-2047.

The second will probe the multifaceted issues affecting the lives of Generation Y with a series on millennials. Highlights include bloggers Emma Gannon (Girl Lost in the City) and (Deliciously) Ella Mills discussing entrepreneurialism in a digital age. Concepts surrounding gender and sexuality will also be explored, from chef and campaigner Jack Monroe on breaking down stereotypes to Laura Bates, founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, on growing up as a girl in the 21st century.

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Beyond these, there's something to cater for every interest. A roll call of politicians will take the stage: Michael Gove, "the politest man in the House of Commons", will muse on manners, while other figures spanning the political spectrum include Nick Clegg, Ken Clarke and Ed Balls. They join a long list of household names, from legendary fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood and footballer Joey Barton to stars of film and television.

Returning to its roots, the festival will also present the very best in new fiction. Norwegian Karl Ove Knausgaard will be recognised by this year's Sunday Times Award for Literary Excellence, while a host of authors will be on hand to give insight into their latest titles, including Booker Prize winners Ian McEwan and Graham Swift. The festival will also pay tribute to two greats of children's literature – Roald Dahl and Beatrix Potter – with a collection of family-friendly activities.

The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival will take place from 7-16 October; cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature