Waterstones are once again the sponsors of the Literature strand of Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival. This year the programme boasts an eclectic mix of fiction and non-fiction from well-known authors including politicians, historians and academics.
Amongst the line-up is a double-act of best-selling authors, Kate Hamer and Louise Doughty, who will introduce and read from their new novels. Doughty’s appearance at the Festival follows the recent BBC TV adaption of her novel Apple Tree Yard.
Former Home Secretary and Orwell Prize winner Alan Johnson will be discussing his third and final volume of his memoir The Long and Winding Road, while Oxford professor Freya Johnston will explore the three surviving notebooks from Jane Austen’s teenage years, marking the bicentenary of the much-loved English novelist.
Details of the full programme are available on the Festival website. It has also been announced this week that there will be additional performances of sold-out literature events. Susie Dent and Alan Johnson will now be appearing for a second time on 28 May with Lady Carnarvon also appearing for a second time on 6 June due to exceptional demand for tickets.
Waterstones Salisbury is Wiltshire’s largest bookshop and offers a fantastic selection of books. As well as hosting reading groups, author signings and book launches, the shop’s events also include art exhibitions, gaming events and treasure hunts. Waterstones will be on hand after many of the literature events to ensure attendees can purchase a copy of each respective book.
Waterstones said: “Waterstones are once again proud to sponsor the Salisbury International Arts festival. Each year the festival line up gets better and better and the literary programme this year has a truly captivating list of speakers. The team at Waterstones Salisbury are all, unsurprisingly, book lovers and we are just as excited to see Alison Weir, John Simpson and local hero Barney Norris as you all are. We look forward to all of the events and signings and look forward to meeting you all there at our book stalls, we can’t wait.”
Festival director Toby Smith said: “Working with Waterstones each year is a real pleasure for us and we are so grateful for their continued support of the Festival. Having such an active and engaged partner makes the Literature strand not only enjoyable to attend, but also to plan and programme. We are both really looking forward to the varied programme of speakers on offer this year.”