~ Tickets now on sale for the UK’s first literary festival to unashamedly celebrate the ebook, new writing talent and popular fiction ~
~ Confirmed guest at the two-day event (July 28/9) in Wales include authors Dougie Brimson, Polly Courtney, Martin Edwards, Tim Heald, Nicholas Allan and Mary Hooper ~
Bestselling authors including “Yob Laureate” Dougie Brimson, crime writer Martin Edwards and the controversial Polly Courtney will be appearing at the UK’s first ebook literary festival next month.
Taking place in the “picture postcard” coastal village of Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, West Wales, on the last weekend of July, the inaugural Kidwell-e Festival promises a packed line-up of guest authors, readings, workshops and family-friendly entertainment suitable for all ages.
Unashamedly popularist in its focus and willing to give exposure to fresh writing talent as well as established authors, the festival will celebrate the “digital publishing revolution” and cover all popular genres such as crime, romance, historical adventure and comedy.
For the kids, there will also be a Children’s Festival with the BBC’s Nicholas Allan, Pippa Goodhart, Mary Hooper and many more taking part.
Among the authors taking part are Dougie Brimson — dubbed the “Yob Laureate” for his bestselling books on football hooliganism and lad culture such as The Crew and Top Dog. Brimson has also moved into comedy, with his most recent book, 2011’s The Art of Fart, becoming his first ebook exclusive.
Polly Courtney, meanwhile, is famous for breaking free from publisher HarperCollins in protest at the “fluffy” chick-lit titles and cover designs assigned to her novels, such as It’s a Man’s World.
At Kidwell-e, she will be discussing how to “go it alone” in the publishing world, while award-winning crime writer Martin Edwards (The Hanging Wood, The Coffin Trail) will be laying down the law on how to write compelling crime fiction.
They will be joined at the festival by the likes of royal biographer Tim Heald (Princess Margaret — a Life Unravelled), award-winning publisher Hazel Cushion (founder of Accent Press), Guardian journalist Wendy Berliner, acclaimed naval historical fiction writer David Davies (The Journals of Matthew Quinton), Amazon best-selling novelist Andrew Kirby, and rising comedy writer Alex Thomas (War & Piste).
For younger readers there is a host of popular children’s authors scheduled for the Kidwell-e Children’s Festival, including acclaimed author/illustrator Nicholas Allan (The Queen’s Knickers, Hilltop Hospital), Adèle Geras (Dido, the Tutu Tilly series), Pippa Goodhart (You Choose — winner of Mumsnet’s Book of the Year for 3-4 Year Olds Award 2011), Carnegie Medal nominee Mary Hooper (At The House of the Magician, At The Sign Of The Sugared Plum) and Anne Rooney (Vampire Dawn series).
If that’s not enough, there will also be fire breathers, magicians, writing and circus skills workshops, stilt walking, Medieval minstrels and face painting to keep the kids busy. Entry to the festival is free for children under 14.
Festival founder and best-selling Welsh author Julian Ruck (The Ragged Cliffs Trilogy) said: “The Kidwell-e Festival is the first event of its kind within the UK to officially recognise, and celebrate, the ebook — the most innovative, exciting and empowering medium to hit the publishing world since Caxton and Gutenberg.
“The festival’s motto is “INclusive, Not EXclusive” and we have a wealth of fascinating talks and readings on all aspects of popular writing taking place in the stunning countryside of the Gower Peninsula, as well as family-friendly entertainment.”
He added: “Kidwell-e is about promoting literature and literacy to all in the digital age, giving new writing talent a chance, and most of all, having lots of fun.”
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The Kidwell-e Festival takes place on Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29. Tickets are priced £15 for one day or £25 for two days when booked in advance. Entrance on the day is £18. Children under 14 go free. For more information visit www.kidwellyefestival.com.