Plans for the fourth annual Sidmouth Literary Festival are gathering pace.
It will open on Friday, June 15, with an evening with veteran BBC foreign correspondent Kate Adie.
The following day will feature crime writer TP Fielden and journalist and biographer Anne de Courcy.
And on Sunday, June 17, the popular ‘How to get published’ workshop will return with a panel of industry experts – including a top Penguin fiction editor, self-publishing companies and a literary agent – giving insider tips and coaching on how to get into print.
Penguin author Jane Corry, a founder member of the festival, said: “The big speaker will be Norman Tebbit on Saturday, June 16, in the evening. He’s written a cookery book but will also be talking about politics.
“We also have a royal photographer and a discussion between a romance writer and an erotica writer, which should be interesting.
“It’s shaping up really well. We are thrilled with the response from the community. Many businesses and hotels have offered to help and we are very grateful to them.
“The festival is putting Sidmouth on the map – we’ve found that major publishers remember it from previous years and are keen to put forward top authors. We were also featured in the February issue of Woman & Home magazine.
“The ‘How to get published’ workshop is something different and is also helping Sidmouth make its mark. We would like to hear from writing groups who might be interested in attending. Last year we had three students getting published as a result.
“There will also be a free workshop at the parish church on writing prayers and meditations at midday on Sunday, June 17. All other events will be at Kennaway House.”
More big names and fantastic events will be announced in the coming months on the festival’s website – sidmouthlitfest.co.uk. Tickets will go on sale in April, available online or from Winstone’s Books.
The festival is run by volunteers and anyone who would like to help is asked to email sidmouthlitfest1@gmail.com.
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