West Meon Festival of Books 2011
One festival that literary types of all kinds, not just in the self publishing field, might want to take a look at if they have the time next month is the West Meon Festival of Books. The West Meon Festival of Books runs from the eighth to the tenth of July, and is a small but intimate literary festival that takes place in the small village setting of South Downs Country Park in West Meon (fairly obviously). West Meon itself is apparently located somewhere between Winchester and Petersfield in Hampshire on the A32.
Ticket prices tend to vary, though they were 55 pounds last year, which might seem a bit steep to some, but on the other hand, like I said, it is a very intimate festival and lets you get up close and personal (but not that personal) with some respected authors. This year those names include the likes of Michelle Magorian, Jake Wallis Simons, Nigel Farndale, Jane Shilling, Leo Benedictus, Anthony Quinn, Nick Hayes, Julie Hill, and Allan Mallinson. Previous years’ guest lists have included such names as Poppy Adams, Gillian Tindall, Wendy Cope, Natasha Solomons, Maureen Duke, Jack Sheffield, Jane Gardam, Rebecca Shaw, Sophie Hannah and many more besides.
As well as all the visiting authors, other events at the festival include bookbinding, activities for the rugrats, and all the usual literary festival stuff, I would imagine.
p.s. Those fancying a more intimate literary festival should check out The West Meon Festival of Books.