A THREE-DAY literary feast celebrating local authors and the written word takes place in South Devon next month.

The English Riviera Literature Festival, which runs at Paignton’s Palace Theatre from March 16 to 18, offers a packed programme of literary-themed events, creative activities for children and adults, fascinating author talks and readings as well as a chance to meet published and aspiring writers.

Said Maureen McAllister, operations director: ‘Our second literature festival at the Palace Theatre really does have something for all ages and interests.

‘There will be fabulous storytelling workshops for children to talks about historical, non-fiction, biographies and crime themes plus loads more.’

The opening event on March 16 will be an entertaining talk by Stephanie Austin, author of the Devon Mystery Series - contemporary crime novels set in Ashburton and featuring reluctant amateur sleuth and antique show owner, Juno Browne. 

Other authors featured in the festival include Emma Seaman who will present Mary Shelley’s lost Torquay novel, best-selling biographer and crime novelist Andrew Wilson, award-winning children’s author, Clare Helen Welsh and a talk by TP Fielden, the fiction-writing name of acclaimed royal biographer and commentator Christopher Wilson, who has penned biographies of members of the British royal family.


For the full programme of events and to book tickets see the venue’s website www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk or call the box office on 01803 665800