The Exeter Literary Festival - it's a wrap!

I've lost count of the number of times I've been asked when there was going to be a literary festival in Exeter. Every other city, town and village has one, so why not us? Well, that's one of the problems, especially as we have the reknowned Dartington Ways With Words and Budleigh Salterton festivals practically on our doorstep.
The other major problem, is who on earth would take on such a mammoth task?

I first met the amazing Maggie Bonfield when I gave a talk to the U3A way back in October 2017. To my surprise and delight, she announced to the audience that there would be a literary festival the following year and would I be willing to help? Yes, of course! Maggie and her tech whiz husband, Rob, assembled a steering group that reflected the broad range of literary knowhow in the city. Todd Gray, Simon Timms, Emma Dunn, Lee Rawlings and lucky me all volunteered to do our bit.
What soon became apparent, was that the Festival was going to be HUGE! Not only author talks by a famous few, which are the backbone of most festivals, but a celebration of the literary talent and enthusiasm that abides in and around Exeter. Major cultural venues across the city hosted events - the Cathedral, D.E.I, Central Library, Barnfield Theatre, the University to name some. Those aged tiny to ninety, and of every diversity Exeter has to offer, took part in listening, reading and writing.
Yes, it was a lot of work, but when the seats began to fill up, and the enthusiastic responses came loudly and from all quarters, I could not have felt more proud to be involved. Exeter, you are a wonderful city! Roll on next year!
The festival website is HERE and there are lots of photos from all the events HERE

Sophie Duffy, Cathie Hartigan and Margaret James