bathfest.org.uk WHEN 1 – 10 March WHERE The Georgian spa town of Bath, to which Jane Austen and Charles Dickens were regular visitors WHO J.K. Rowling and Hilary Mantel are two literary heavyweights who will be in attendance this year, as well as P.D. James, Kate Mosse, Sandi Toksvig, Pat Barker, Harriet Walter, Darcey Bussell, Robert Fisk and Gavin Esler WE LOVE The ‘New Voices’ talk, introducing debut authors to watch out for in 2013 – Anthea Nicholson, Beatrice Hitchman and Katie Ward FIND A BOOKSHOP Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights is the coolest, most beautiful bookshop in Bath, set in the heart of the town at 14/15 John Street
2. THE TELEGRAPH HAY FESTIVAL hayfestival.com WHEN 23 May – 2 June WHERE The miniature town of Hay-on-Wye, in the stunning Breacon Beacons National Park on the Welsh border. The Glasto of literary festivals, it sprawls over a field in a ‘tented village’ and offers music and comedy to boot WHO Early-bird tickets are already on
sale for events with Carl Bernstein, Elif Shafak, Christy Moore and Dara O’Briain WE LOVE John le Carré talking about forthcoming new novel, A Delicate Truth FIND A BOOKSHOP Hay has more bookshops than any other town in the UK. Our favourite? Rose’s Books on Broad Street specialises in rare and out-of-print children’s books
3. THEAKSTONS OLD PECULIER CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL
harrogateinternationalfestivals.com WHEN 18 – 21 July WHERE The little town of Harrogate in the Yorkshire Dales. With rolling hills and tea rooms aplenty, it’s straight out of a cosy crime novel. Agatha Christie was famously discovered at the Old Swan Hotel (where the festival is held) after an 11-day hiatus which involved a national search – she had checked in under her husband’s mistress’ name WHO Girl power rules at this year’s festival, with Kate Atkinson, Charlaine Harris and Susan Hill all appearing WE LOVE Crime queen Ruth Rendell being interviewed by her close friend, and fellow author, Jeanette Winterson FIND A BOOKSHOP Comic and graphic novel fans will love Destination Venus, 5 Westminster Arcade, Parliament Street
edbookfest.co.uk WHEN 10 – 16 August WHERE The historic city of Edinburgh. The festival takes place in the leafy Charlotte Square Gardens, located in the city centre WHO This year’s programme will be launched in June, but last year’s guests included Hilary Mantel, Will Self and Zadie Smith FIND A BOOKSHOP Tiny but influential store Word Power at 43 West Nicolson Street hosts the Edinburgh Book Fringe during the festival, with free events, author readings and discussions
5. THE TIMES CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL
cheltenhamfestivals.com WHEN 4 – 13 October WHERE The spa town of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire WHO Last year’s guests included Philip Pullman, J.K. Rowling, Benedict Cumberbatch and Roger Moore, so expect more of the same FIND A BOOKSHOP Independent bookshop Attic Books at 14 Saint James Street sells interesting, rare and secondhand books