Yeovil Literary Festival 2024 is Nearly Here!

As it’s now officially September, the month countdown to Yeovil Literary Festival 2024 can begin! This year the festival will start on Thursday 10th October with a pre festival event and end on Monday 28th October.

The first pre – festival event will be held at St. John The Baptist Church in the centre of Yeovil allowing people to meet Sir Ian Rankin at 7pm on 10th October. He is the multimillion-copy worldwide bestseller of over thirty novels and creator of John Rebus. Iain will be talking about his latest Rebus novel ‘Midnight and Blue’. Several other pre – festival events will be taking place at Yeovil Library this year. Hazel Prior, one of the festivals much loved no.1 selling author will be returning here this year. Hazel will be introducing readers to ‘Gone with the Penguins’ a heart warming and charming final chapter of Veronica McCreedy’s story. Rebecca Thorne, AJ West and Sharon Jacksties are a few other names that will be visiting Yeovil Library from the 18th – 19th October.

The festival will take full swing from Thursday 24th October at Westlands Entertainment Venue. This will see the festival welcome some up and coming authors alongside some high-profile celebrity names. The events held at Westlands will be spread out within the venue with some being held in the Wheeldon Suites and others in the Ballroom.

 Amy Jeffs will be taking over Wheeldon Suites 2 & 3 at 6:00pm on Thursday 24th October to talk about her new book ‘Saints: A New Legendary of Heroes, Humans and Magic.’ Amy is a magical storyteller and gives an authoritative voice on medieval lives and legends. The festival is proud to have this Somerset based Sunday Times best seller as part of the line up this year. Another author that you will find in the Wheeldon Suites over the course of the festival is Andrew Child. Andrew will be discussing the 29th book of the incredibly popular Jack Reacher novels. This new book ‘In Too Deep’ is a collaboration between himself and his brother Lee Child. Andrew will be discussing how their writing relationship works and how the Jack Reacher brand has grown to be so huge. You can catch Andrew in Wheeldon Suites 2 & 3 from 4:00pm on Saturday 26th October.

Westlands Ballroom will host the likes of Kaleb Cooper, Kate Humble and Paul Sinha over Thursday and Friday. Kaleb will be chatting all about his brand-new book ‘It’s a Farming Thing’, where he will be sharing all the highs, lows and unexpected adventures that come with farming life. You can find him in the Ballroom on Thursday 24 October at 6:00pm. Friday will find Paul Sinha gracing the stage of Westlands Ballroom talking all things ‘One Sinha Lifetime’ a hilarious and moving come-of-age memoir of one mans search for fulfilment. The Chaser will be in the Ballroom at 6:00pm. Kate will be taking the stage from 8:00pm talking all about her book ‘Home Made’. This is the perfect book for anyone who values good, sustainable food and is wanting to connect with what they are eating, celebrate local producers and create delicious meals in the comfort of their own home.

Saturday and Sunday will see more extraordinary authors talking about their new books, one being ‘Strictly’ favourite Janette Manrara. She will be telling all about her book ‘Tiny Dancer, Big World’, a book that is a beautiful blend of Janette’s advice, inspiration and life lessons from her time on stage and screen. Janette will be in Westlands Ballroom on Saturday 26th September at 12:00pm. Former Labour MP Alan Johnson will also be in the Ballroom on Saturday at 6:00pm. He will discussing his new novel ‘Death on the Thames’ and his new book ‘Harold Wilson’. Carol Klein will be joining the literary festivities on Sunay at 6:00pm. One of Britain’s most loved horticulturists will be taking to the Ballroom stage to discuss her book, a story of a life lived happily amongst the greenery. This book is the perfect companion for anyone who has sought solace in the natural world.

Some late additions that didn’t make it into this year’s brochure are Fern Britton and Sue Cleaver who will be joining the line up on Sunday 27th October at 8:00pm and 12:00pm. Alongside Luke Evans who will be at Westlands Entertainment Venue on Saturday 16th November at 7:30pm.

So as the month countdown begins, Yeovil Literary Festival will soon be here. 2024 is set to be another successful year, so grab your tickets while you can!

For any more information about Yeovil Literary Festival 2024 head to the website https://yeovilliteraryfestival.co.uk/whats-on/ or call the Box Office at Westlands Entertainment Venue on 01935 422884.