Budleigh Literary Festival line-up revealed

Organisers of the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival have released the line up for this year’s festival, taking place from 17th-20th September.

The announcement reveals a diverse selection of critically acclaimed, award-winning authors who are set to descend on the East Devon seaside town for the festival’s seventh consecutive year.

Appearing on Thursday afternoon will be celebrated children’s author and artist, Judith Kerr, creator of iconic books such as The Tiger Who Came to Tea, When Hitler Stole the Pink Rabbit and the Mog series. Judith will be discussing Creatures: A Celebration of the Life and Work, which celebrates her impressive 45 year career.

Also making an appearance on Thursday afternoon will be British actress, comedian and writer Helen Lederer who will discuss her debut novel Losing It, and her colourful career. Returning to the festival line-up is double Man Booker Prize winner and long-standing Honorary Festival President, Dame Hilary Mantel DBE, who will give an account of the literature that has shaped her life and writing, in an event entitled My Life in Books, the first of two appearances over the four days.

On the Friday, acclaimed biographers Ruth Scurr and Rachel Holmes will discuss their weighty biographies of 17th century English gentleman John Aubrey and radical feminist, campaigner and biographer Eleanor Marx.

Legendary artist and textile designer Kaffe Fassett will share his love of colour and bold patterns, whilst former cricketer turned cricket commentator David 'Bumble' Lloyd will talk about his forthcoming memoir and thoughts on the game. Debut authors Paula Hawkins and Renee Knight will also wax lyrical about their exceptional and bestselling, debut thrillers, The Girl on The Train and Disclaimer.

Friday evening closes with an exciting event that celebrates the BBC's television adaptations of Winston Graham's much loved Poldark. His son Andrew Graham will discuss the process of bringing the characters, stories and rugged Cornish Coast to life with the series scriptwriter Debbie Horsfield (Making Out, Cutting It, Sex, Chips and Rock'n'Roll). There's also a strong possibility that members of the cast or crew will join this event.
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lso on Saturday is acclaimed British dramatist David Hare who will be making a special appearance at the Festival to talk about his exceptional life writing for theatre, film and television. A BAFTA winner, he will be discussing his forthcoming memoir, The Blue Touch Paper, with Observer writer Rachel Cooke.

British-Chinese writer and Radio presenter Xinran will be talking about her thoughts on China and her eye-opening new book Buy Me The Sky: the Remarkable Truth of China's One-Child Generation. Eminent philosopher John Gray will be discussing free will and pondering the timeless question: Do human beings want more choice in their lives.... Or do they really dream of being free from the burden of choice altogether?

Robert Douglas-Fairhurst will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland and explore what makes Lewis Carroll's magical tale of Alice so unique and distinctive, whilst Bookclub favourite Patrick Gale will talk about the mysterious family history that inspired his wonderful new novel, A Place Called Winter.

Dame Margaret Drabble will discuss her fantastic latest novel, The Pure Gold Baby and her thoughts on storytelling and great literature, whilst Man Booker Prize winner Ben Okri will wax lyrical about creativity, transformation and his first new novel in seven years, The Age of Magic. Bringing the festival to a close on Sunday afternoon will be much loved author Sarah Waters who will read and talk about her acclaimed latest novel, The Paying Guests.

The Festival will also feature three local authors. Christine Lee will discuss her relationship with her sister Jennifer Worth (author of Call the Midwife) and her debut novel The Midwife's Sister. Budleigh author and artist Jed Falby will talk about his debut graphic novel, Le Train de Michel, with renowned comic expert and author Paul Gravett. And Peter Nasmyth will share his passion for the Literature and Landscape of East Devon with an illustrated talk.

As well as the critically acclaimed authors’ events, this year’s festival will include all the usual activities, such as the marquee on the green, where attendees get a rare chance to have their books signed by the authors after their events. There will also be a wide selection of refreshments and live music throughout the four day festival.

Now in its seventh year, the festival has grown considerably, with bigger names signing up and more visitors attending year on year. Artistic Director Sarah-Jane Roberts said: “We are sure that this year’s festival will have something for everyone. The line-up is so diverse, and we are delighted that so many first class names will once again be joining us on the coast in beautiful Budleigh.”

“Every year we’re conscious it will be difficult to top the last festival, but with the 2015 line-up, we are confident we have the perfect combination of events to pull off yet another great festival. Last year we had people travel from all the country to see some of the top authors, and I have no doubt that this year’s names will have the same effect."

Dame Hilary Mantel DBE, Honorary Festival President, said: “We enter our seventh year with a strong and wide-ranging guest list, spirits high, and a new chairman. Every year there are more festivals, it seems. Foresight and good networking is essential to secure the best writers. By capitalising on the unique character of our town and by focusing on a compact but ambitious programme, we have established ourselves among the more elite festivals. We want to remain there, distinguished by the efficiency and courtesy we extend to all our guests, whether performers or audience members.

She continued: “People, as well as paper, make our festival, and we could not operate without our gracious and well-organised volunteers. They, just as much as the authors, are the smiling face of our festival: and as always, the sea and the sky, the town and its people, are our star turns.”

Tickets for Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival will be available from July.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.budlitfest.org.uk

Tickets can be booked in person or by phone from The Tourist Information Centre: 01395 445 275.

Follow the festival on Twitter @BudleighLitFest.