Lancaster’s Literature Festival is back next month with a wide range of authors to tempt book lovers over its extended ten-day run.
There are dozens of great writers to tempt readers at this year’s festival, now in its 31st year: from Booker-shortlisted writers to a pick of the crop of new debut novelists; from rock ‘n’ roll excess to a whole day full of subtle and beautiful poetry.
Most of the events take place at litfest’s new home in the Storey Auditorium, while the headline event – The Ian McMillan Orchestra – will be held at The Dukes.
A firm favourite with litfest audiences, the Yorkshire poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan brings a scintillating night of poems, music, comedy and impro – like nothing you’ve ever seen before!
He teams up with composer and accordionist Luke Carver Goss and the mighty Orchestra in this sizzling mix of songs. Powerful, echoing tales of death by shanty, industrial manoeuvres, dads, voices found, iPod’s, 9/11, mining and the late great Ronnie Barker.
From trusted names to the latest trends – litfest has it all this year. Fans of historical fiction should book their tickets for novelists Kate Pullinger and Cynthia McLeod, who both bring historical novels featuring wealthy, powerful women to the festival.
DJ Taylor, who reads with John Murray, will take their audience back to the London high life of the 1920s. This event will also feature a discussion about the state of the novel today.
Readers who enjoy following the big literary prizes can see prize-winning authors Andrew Miller and Sarah Hall reading together – with Sarah reading from her new novel, How to Paint a Dead Man, which was longlisted for this year’s Booker Prize.
You can also catch two writers from Africa’s most prestigious literary prize – The Caine Prize – EC Osundu and Chike Unigwe as they visit Lancaster as part of an international tour.
For those looking for the latest names to watch out for, litfest has a batch of new novelists – Jenn Ashworth, Richard Milward and Chris Killen – two of them chosen by Waterstones for their New Voices 2009.
And if you love to read the book before you see the film, get along to see Steven Hall, whose novel The Raw Shark Texts is being made into a film screenwritten by Slumdog Millionaire writer Simon Beaufoy. Described as a mix of The Matrix, The Da Vinci Code and Jaws, it’s like nothing you’ve ever read before!
Fans of the band The Fall are in for a treat as music journalist Dave Simpson, author of The Fallen: Searching for the Missing Members of The Fall, offers a night of fiction, non-fiction and music. In his book he uncovers a changing Britain, tales of madness and genius, and wreaks havoc on his personal life. He will be joined by Manchester-based Peter Wild, editor of the fiction anthology Perverted by Language: Fiction Inspired by the Fall, and Niall Griffiths, one of the writers who contributed to that collection.
For a night with a real difference, why not celebrate the publication of Paul Magrs’ fourth novel in the Brenda and Effie series – described as ‘Alan Bennett meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. The litfest team will be dressing up as characters from these hilarious and delightful novels – and of course you’re invited to join in if you dare, or just go along as yourselves if you;’re not ina Rocky Horror Picture Show kind of mood!
In addition to all this litfest is also offering a full day of poetry events, featuring eight very different and very talented poets, some of the best short fiction you could find, writers’ workshops, digital poetry displays, and writing from local writing groups.
• For a brochure contact litfest on 01524 62166, or visit their website at www.litfest.org
• All tickets can be booked through the Lancaster Visitor Information Centre at The Storey 01524 582394 or through the litfest website.
Pictured: The Ian McMillan Orchestra (top). Featured are L-R: (back) Luke Carver Goss, Ian McMillan, Nathan Thomson, Oliver Wilson-Dickson. (front) Clare Salaman, Dylan Fowler. Picture by Nigel Barklie. Tel 07973252131. Also above: Kate Pullinger, Sarah Hall (picture: Martin Figura), Chike Unigwe (picture: Rocio Motty) and Paul Magrs.