September will see the tenth edition of Marlborough LitFest (26-29 September) and the organisers are collecting a stellar cast of authors and poets to mark this tenth anniversary.
Ian Rankin – the man who created John Rebus, Carol Ann Duffy – the first woman and first Scot to be Britain’s Poet Laureate, and best selling novelist Robert Harris, will be joining Golding Speaker Ben Okri.
The full programme will be available in late June and tickets will go on sale early in July. For more information, visit www.marlboroughlitfest.org
The worldwide bestselling author of over 30 novels and creator of the legendary detective, John Rebus, Ian Rankin will talk at this year’s LitFest about his latest Rebus novel, In a House of Lies. John Rebus first appeared in 1987 and has become one of the most enduring characters in crime fiction.
Rankin has also written standalone novels and his books have been translated into 36 languages as well as being adapted for radio, the stage and the screen. Rankin received an OBE for his services to literature in 2002. He will be appearing on Saturday 28 September in Marlborough Town Hall.
LitFest will be giving a big welcome back for Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy – after her initial, mesmerising performance back in 2013. The award-winning poet will be performing from and talking about her latest book, Sincerity (published in November 2018).
This is Duffy’s final collection of poems as Poet Laureate, a reflective body of work focusing on time and passage. Duffy became the first female Poet Laureate in its 341-year history in 2009, and has decided to stand down this summer. She was made a DBE in 2015.
She will be appearing on Thursday 26 September in Memorial Hall, Marlborough College.
Robert Harris is the author of 12 bestselling novels, including the Cicero Trilogy, Fatherland, Enigma, Conclave and most recently, Munich. Several of his books have been filmed, including The Ghost, which was directed by Roman Polanski.
His work has been translated into 37 languages and he is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He lives in Kintbury.
His forthcoming novel, The Second Sleep (to be published 5 September 2019) is set in a village on Exmoor in 1458 and follows the story of a young priest uncovering the truth behind the death of his predecessor. Over the course of his search, everything he believes – about himself, his faith and the history of his world – will be tested to destruction.
Robert Harris will be appearing on Sunday 29 September in Marlborough Town Hall.
Genevieve Clarke is Chair of Marlborough LitFest: “It’s brilliant to announce these three popular and influential writers for what is shaping up to be a fabulous programme for our tenth year.”
The 2019 programme will bring lots of good writing to Marlborough for LitFest’s long weekend – featuring new and young novelists as well as established names, fact and fiction, children’s authors, workshops and poetry events. There will also be outreach activities to engage new audiences.
Keep an eye on marlborough.news as more authors and events for Marlborough LitFest are announced.
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