I’m very excited to reveal that I will be appearing at the first-ever Mellor Literature Festival on Saturday 30 June along with more than a dozen other authors. I will be doing a book reading of Sarah’s Shadow, answering kids’ questions, handing out Sarah’s Shadow activity sheets and selling and signing copies of the book.

There will be loads of other stuff going on, too! With a magical storytelling tent, poetry in the woods, a book trail and sale, family crafts, street food and face painting, there will be lots for bookworms of all ages to enjoy at the event, which will take place at Mellor Primary School.

Mellor Literature Festival 2018 posterTracey Corderoy, the award-winning author of children’s favourites such as Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam and Hubble Bubble Granny Trouble, is headlining the event with book presentations including two interactive illustration sessions and a craft workshop.

Other children’s authors at the festival include J.D. Welch, Ruth Estevez, Amanda Stones, Lucy Keeling, Nicola Hulme and Kellie Hamill. Also, kids who come dressed as characters from their favourite books can enter the festival’s fancy dress competition to win a range of prizes!

There will be a host of authors for adults at the festival providing workshops on how to start your first book, getting your novel into print and using paintings as a stimulus for creative writing, alongside talks and book signings. Authors and experts who will be attending on the day include James Christie, Phil Page, Michael Ross, Josey Taylor, Margaret Holbrook and Sahera Patel.

There will also be a selection of street food vendors serving up a variety of dishes, and if you like a spot of afternoon tea, make sure you visit the tea and cake stall!

Best-selling author Dr Gervase Phinn has praised the festival, saying: “Events such as the Mellor Literature Festival celebrate and promote reading in such a vibrant and exciting way by bringing writers and their readers together. It is a brilliant initiative.”

For more information and a full list of child and adult workshops, including timings, visit the official Mellor Literature Festival website. Tickets are £10 for a family ticket (2 adults plus unlimited children) or £4 for adults and £2 for children. You can purchase tickets in advance from Mellor Primary School or on the gate on the day.

In the run-up to the event, why not enter the festival’s virtual treasure hunt? You might win a fantastic prize! Solve the daily clues posted on the festival website and social channels to reveal the final answer, and bring it with you on the day of the festival.

For event updates follow Mellor Literature Festival on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Photo by Amy ‘Mim’ Botly Photography