Oundle Festival of Literature’s seventh programme, which will run from 7th-21st March 2009, once again features an exciting line-up of renowned writers, illustrators and poets for both adults and children. The Literary talent at the festival this year includes BBC journalist John Simpson, offering his view on some of the crises facing the world, and Political Editor for Sky News Adam Boulton, together with journalist and broadcaster Simon Hoggart examining The Blair years.

In the run up to the Festival on 3rd March there will be an evening with prolific author Alexander McCall Smith, who will be celebrating the publication of the tenth book in “The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” series, “Tea Time for the Traditionally Built”.

Also featuring is Kate Summerscale, author of the award winning non-fiction title “The Suspicions of Mr Whicher” and the powerful and inventive author of “Notes on an Exhibition”, Patrick Gale. Paul Torday, author of “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” will introduce his new book, “The Girl on the Landing” and Ian Kelly introduces a fresh and revisionist new biography of Casanova.

Philippe Sands will investigate deception at the highest levels in Torture Team and classicist Mary Beard will discuss one of the world’s most popular classical sites in “Pompeii: The Life of a Roman Town”. Country Life’s editor at large, Clive Aslet will examine “The English Home: The Story of a Nation at Home” James Taylor will discuss Charles Darwin’s epic voyage, to mark its 200th anniversary, in “The Voyage of the Beagle.”

The annual poetry evening will feature The Joy of Six, a poetry ensemble with an exciting and fascinating quick-fire montage of contrasting poems and voices. Mavis Cheek, author of ‘the brilliantly funny’ “Amenable Women” will provide a good excuse for a girls’ night out and Kate Colquhoun will inspire us with what to do with our leftovers!

Families will be spoilt for choice with fun events for all ages including “Denis the Menace” illustrator Barry Appleby and drama workshop sessions with Pam Wardell. Roald Dahl will be brought to life in a fantastic performance by Anthony Pedley and a fun event with magician Paul Kieve will provide magical family entertainment. Pat Thomson and Thom Chesser will be discussing what to read and why reading with children is so important.

Children’s authors Steve Cole, Lucy Hawking and Caroline Lawrence will be present, along with advice columnist and children’s author Bel Mooney and illustrator and author in residence, Lynne Chapman.

The ever diverse Community Events program will open the festival with a Literary Treasure Hunt followed by a “Shakespeare Shaken Up” evening at The Stahl Theatre which will include poetry, verse and prose. This coming year’s festival will see a dinner and story night at Oundle Mill, where guests will be entertained by professional storyteller Shona Leigh, and there will be another highly entertaining Literary Quiz evening (you will need to be quick to register your team at paula@oundlelitfest.org.uk ). There will be an evening exploring the issues of homelessness, including poetry and information about “The Big Issue”, and Oundle will be combining language with dance in an evening of “strictly” salsa and literature with Grevel Lindop, author of “Travels on the Dance Floor”. Poetry Allsorts Night will provide opportunities for members of the public to share their work and you can learn the art of blogging in our “Blog it! Journey with a Mouse” event. Children are encouraged to continue to submit entries to the Festival’s children’s writing competition and there will be the usual free of charge story-telling events for young children in Oundle Library, and also a literary event for local elderly people.

For full details of all events, dates, times, venues and ticket prices, see the festival brochure (due for release in mid-January) or go to www.oundlelitfest.org.uk. Tickets will be on sale from the end of January at the Oundle Tourist Information Office (01832 274333).