LITFEST starts this Friday, 17th March

We’re very excited to announce that Lancaster’s 44^th Annual Literature Festival, Litfest, begins this Friday 17 March. Running until the 26 March, we’ll be offering a packed programme of events, including opportunities to meet our authors; take part in discussions; find out more about nature and history, philosophy and politics; and be entertained by poems and stories.

Many of our events are booking up quickly, so if you want to come along in-person then it would be advisable to book soon – but don’t worry – most events are also available to view online too. And even better, all events this year are free, although donations would be gratefully received to help Litfest to continue to offer great literary and topical events.

This year’s highlights include our Big Read events with Cynthia Murphy and Frank Cottrell-Boyce – come and meet Cynthia and Frank as they introduce their books and then sign up to the Big Read challenge for the chance to win 3 paperback books of your choice worth up to £30!

Luke Williams joins Lindsey Moore to talk about his novel Diego Garcia, a challenging, prize-winning work exploring the question of how writers can share the stories of others without making assumptions or coming to conclusions. Eoghan Walls is in conversation with Zoe Lambert to talk about The Gospel of Orla, a hilarious coming-of-age story, road novel, and a meditation on the mysteries of faith and grief. Jill Liddington in conversation with Catherine Spooner, introduces us to Anne Lister: diarist, businesswoman, landowner and fascinating inspiration for TV’s ‘Gentleman Jack’. And veteran BBC reporter, author and documentary film-maker, Peter Taylor in conversation with Tom Mills, launches his new and likely to be controversial book about the role of MI5 and MI6 in achieving the Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago this Easter.

Our Atlantic Slave Trail strand will explore the difficult issue of the reparations paid to slave owners, the ‘From Source to Sea’ project will showcase poems written about the North West’s rivers, and our ever-popular Poetry Day will offer readings of some amazing new works.

Whilst our Reader in Residence, Sophie Anderson, has unfortunately had to cancel due to illness, we are delighted to welcome Liz Flanagan, an award-winning writer of Young Adult fantasy fiction! Come and meet Liz at Lancaster Library at 10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm on the 18 March as she discusses What To Read Next for different age groups.

For more information about all these events and more, how to book and how to donate, please visit www.litfest.org.