Swanage Literary Festival Announced with Larry Lamb and Notable Authors

Actor Larry Lamb will serve as one of the headline guests, sharing his poetry during the Poetry and Performance evening. According to a festival spokesperson, this year’s festival promises to be even more exciting than before.

The event kicks off on Thursday with The Big Book Quiz taking place in the theatre's show bar. Friday's activities will include a poetry presentation by The Purbeck School, a Words to Inspire poetry workshop, followed by an evening of spoken word and storytelling.

Children’s author Mel Taylor Bessant is also set to visit primary schools to share stories, including her works Imagination Island and The Christmas Carrolls. Saturday's program will feature discussions with various authors, including Sophie Hannah, who writes the new Hercule Poirot mysteries, and Andreina Cordani, known for her Christmas mysteries. Other participating authors include Kristen Perrin and Alex Stone, who set their suspense novels in the Dorset countryside.

Sally Page will discuss her latest mystery set in a fictional Dorset village, and Dominic Couzens will speak about local wildlife. A panel discussion titled Whose Book Is It Anyway? will address the challenges of writing with established characters. Grace Lovelass will share her journey as an opera-singing triathlete, while Steve Couch and musician Olly Hopper-Pay will explore the relationship between fiction and music.

Festival attendees will have the opportunity to purchase books and have them signed by the authors. The Swanage Bookshop is supporting the festival and will have a range of the authors' books available at its Station Road location prior to the events.

Both festival days will feature free activities for children, including Rhyme Time for toddlers at Swanage Library on Friday morning and an afternoon storytelling session at The Mowlem for pre-schoolers. On Saturday, Swanage Library will host another children's event with storytelling and activities led by author Barbara Townsend, focusing on her tale of Old Harry Rock. Schools will also participate in presentations and competitions during the festival.