One of Budleigh Salterton’s most anticipated events is taking place between 20th - 24th September and the lineup of authors, workshops and events has been announced. 

Leading this year’s Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival lineup are popular household names such as poet Lemn Sissay, comedian David Baddiel, journalist Polly Toynbee, Radio 4 presenter Natalie Haynes, bestselling author Lisa Jewell and political strategist Alastair Campbell. 

The Literary Festival takes place each year as the most outstanding literary festival in the South West. Created by the late Susan Ward in 2008, the festival has benefitted greatly from local support and encouraging community and families to enjoy the world of reading. The Festival continues to flourish and expand year after year whilst retaining its warm and intimate atmosphere, consistently attracting leading contemporary fiction authors, poets, travel writers, sports journalists, scientists, food writers, historians, economists and current affairs commentators.

Much of the success of the festival has been reinforced by the support of their late president, Dame Hilary Mantel. Constantly encouraging new and emerging writers, her support has allowed the festival and writers to flourish. Taking over the reins this year is Cathy Rentzenbrink, and the festival has planned a number of events in both Mantel’s name and for emerging writers. 

Did you know that the festival also offers subsidised tickets for young people’s events? As well as that, free events and activities for children and families take place throughout the event! Such as Bounce ’n’ Rhyme, Horrible Histories, Kristina Stephenson and Sir Charlie Stinky Socks, Axel Scheffler, Wren Music and much more. 

There are also workshops happening, such as: Julia Wheeler and ‘Discovering the Stories Beneath’, Megan Stallworthy and ‘Journal and Bookmaking’, Cathy Rentzenbrink and ‘Why Do I Want to Write and How Do I Write?’, and Kristina Stephenson with Sir Charlie Stinky Socks with ‘Puppet-Making Workshop’. 

And don’t miss out on the many events for adults too! From Alison Weir, Kate Moss, various East Devon Writers, Marc Morris, Lord Daniel Finkelstein, Simple Politics’ Tattoo Spiller with Sir Chris Bryant MP, Tom Holland, Alexander McCall Smith and many more fantastic debut and bestselling writers. 

For the full lineup and to buy your tickets, click here