All set for another best-seller

Now established as a popular celebration of books and reading, the 2021 festival is scheduled for Wednesday April 28 to Sunday May 2, supported by South Kesteven District Council.

In the interim, a fantastic digital programme entitled Three Nights in November will be presented across three weekends to promote next year’s festival schedule.

The series of nights, hosted on Zoom, all start at 6.30pm and will begin with Louise Doughty on November 14, whose books include Appletree Yard and Platform Seven (set on Peterborough station).

This will be followed by Alison Bruce on November 21. She is the author of the Cambridge-set DC Gary Goodhew series and stand-alone psychological thrillers.

The three nights will conclude with Deepings Literary Festival Patron, Elly Griffiths on November 28. Elly is the author of the Dr Ruth Galloway series, set in Norfolk, as well as the Brighton-based Max Mephisto series, and new children’s books.

For further information and to register for tickets visit: www.stamfordartscentre.com

The festival is traditionally held at venues across the Deepings, but 2021’s line-up will also include an online contingency programme that will respond to any relevant restrictions still in place at the time of the event itself.

Festival Committee chairman, Coun Judy Stevens, said: “The Deepings Literary Festival is a favourite with visiting authors, not least for the welcome they receive from residents and visitors from further afield, but also for the intimacy and personal contact with their readers.

“Whilst we hope to run the 2021 event as normal, we will also provide a digital offer. This will extend our audience base and ensure the event goes on.”

The current line-up includes Pam Rhodes, Milly Johnson and Ian Macmillan, William Shaw, Frances Pryor, Robert MacMillan and Dorothy Koomson, the best-selling author of My Best Friend’s Girl, The Ice Cream Girls and The Brighton Mermaid.

Coun Rosemary Trollope-Bellew, SKDC Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, said: “The Deepings Literary Festival has quickly established itself as a major addition to South Kesteven’s festival events.

“It is important to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of the local volunteer committee who, in spite of current challenges, have kept together and displayed a positive approach to the planning process for another successful event in 2021.”