Revealed: More big names announced for Appledore Book Festival

PUBLISHED: 10:40 12 July 2017 | UPDATED: 14:48 17 July 2017

Andy Keeble

More big-name authors have been announced for this year’s Appledore Book Festival.

The full line-up will also be announced on Friday but the Gazette can reveal that crime writers Ian Rankin and Ann Cleeves will be among the line-up for this year’s festival, from September 22 until September 30.

Other names announced this week include former Radio One DJ Andy Kershaw, Olympic ski jumper Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, and Channel 5 news presenter Sian Williams.

As revealed in last week’s Gazette, they will be joined by Jeremy Paxman, who will be in conversation with his former Newsnight colleague, book festival patron Jeremy Vine.

Tickets to this year’s festival go on sale to Friends of Appledore Book Festival on Friday to the general public on July 24.

The festival, now in its 11th year and run almost exclusively by a team of volunteers, will feature more than 70 events, including literary legends, inspirational celebrities, screenwriters, chefs, poets, musicians, artists and some fantastic workshops.

Festival director Miche Tompkins said: “The reputation of our festival continues to grow and we are delighted to attract a stellar line-up once again.

“It’s a great event for North Devon; we attract more than 5,000 people into the local area from all over the South West and further afield, extending the season for local businesses.”

A schools programme will take place from October 9-13, with 17 published authors visiting 30 North Devon schools and libraries.

Miche added: “Our aim is a simple one: to increase the enjoyment of reading and encourage creative writing through providing access to inspirational events.”

For more information and details about how to buy tickets, visit appledorebookfestival.co.uk