Smith, Lowe and Palmer among Marlborough LitFest line-up

Authors such as Ali Smith, Hannah Lowe and debut talent Bobby Palmer have been announced as part of the programme for this year’s Marlborough LitFest.

Returning for its 13th year between 29th September and 2nd October, more than 40 events will take place in the historic market town over the festival weekend, with a mix of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children’s authors, literary events, workshops, outreach events and the LitFest’s annual Big Town Read.

The line-up includes 2022 Golding Speaker Ali Smith, as well as Kamila Shamsie, Patrick Gale, Pam Ayres, Clover Stroud, Max Hastings, Benedict Allen and children’s author Jacqueline Wilson.

Every year the festival hosts an annual Golding Speaker to highlight the town’s long connection with the Nobel Laureate and Booker Prize winner, William Golding, at an event sponsored by the Golding estate. Past speakers include Elif Shafak, Ben Okri, Rose Tremain, Will Self, Lionel Shriver, Louis de Bernieres, Fay Weldon and Howard Jacobson.

Other highlights include the annual Hiscox Debut Authors slot, which will champion the emerging writing talent of Ayanna Lloyd Banwo and Bobby Palmer. Hannah Lowe will read poetry from her 2021 Costa Award-winning book,The Kids (Bloodaxe) in Marlborough College’s Memorial Hall while there will also be a workshop on memoir by Cathy Rentzenbrink.

Marlborough LitFest chair Genevieve Clarke said: “We’re thrilled to be back with a full and varied programme of live events. We’ve enjoyed putting it together and hope there’s plenty for regular festival goers and those coming along for the first time. We look forward to seeing you.”

General booking opens on 14th July and the full programme is available online.