Headliners announced for third Festival of Words

Friday 19 May 2017

Jersey's Festival of Words has announced some big names from the literary world for its third year.

There is quite a feminine touch in this year's line up with Dame Jenni Murray giving a presentation on inspiring women in British history, in what has been described as one of the festival's highlights.

Grazia agony aunt, Daisy Buchanan will also talk about her witty handbook for '20-something' women 'How To Be A Grown Up', while Costa Award-winning Stef Penney will present Under a Pole Star, a feminist novel about whaling, exploring and falling in love.

One that should please younger readers is the presence of Charlie and Lola author, Lauren Child, who will come to the Library to read extracts from her new book, and talk about the creative process.

Scientist Richard Dawkins, mystery writer Alexander McCall Smith - author of The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series - and award-winning novelist John Boyne, who sold six million copies of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, will also attend.

Announcing the headliners at the Occupation Tapestry Gallery, Jennifer Bridge, Chairman of the festival, promised a wide variety in the 50 events which will mix celebrity writers with homegrown talents.

She called the festival a "...celebration of the pleasure of words which has something for all ages and all tastes," before adding, "...we are looking forward to a festival that will entertain, educate and amuse in equal measures, as we delve deeper in our exploration of the wonders of words in all their forms."

Pictured: Festival Chairman Jennifer Bridge, announcing some of this year's headliners. 

Jersey Festival of Words starts on the 27 September, and runs until 1 October, with events taking place at a variety of venues including the Library, the Opera House and Jersey Arts Centre.