On the 3rd June, myself and fellow organisers Sue Griggs and Kerstin Muggeridge, launched the very first Tiverton Literary Festival!
Five days of author visits, panels, talks, school workshops, story telling, fancy dress, and book loving!
There have been times between September 2014 (when we began to work on the festival), and the end of the last panel (yesterday at 3.30pm), when we all thought we were insane! So much could go wrong! We had worked so hard, so many well known and respected authors had travelled miles and miles to be with us- what if not one showed up?
The beautiful Oak Room in Tiverton, had rushed it’s opening so it could become our main venue (And an amazing venue it is too!!) Local businesses, Reapers, the library, Tiverton Museum, and Majestic Wines, had all put themselves out to sell tickets for us. The locally owned Costa Coffee had arranged to open especially for an evening quiz, and Lionel- the owner of Brendon Books in Taunton- was due to travel to us everyday with a stock of books from all the featured authors- so- WHAT IF NO ONE TURNED UP??????
It is with no little relief that I am pleased to report that, not only did we get a great local response- we had a full house on many occasions!
There are so many things to report- but for now I shall leave you with a few photographs, and a HUGE THANK YOU to all those who came along, be you visitor or author. You all made the event a success- for which we thank you heartily. Extra special thanks to Lucy Hay, for setting up all our social media and keeping it going, and to Ben Overd, for keeping our lovely website going!! www.tivlitfest.co.uk
Julie Cohen, Rachel Brimble, Alison Rose and Jenny Kane talk romantic fiction
Packed house from the Crime Panel
Simon Hall and Nicola Upson chat to Paul Mortimer
Crime writer Clare Donoghue
Teresa Drsicoll, veronica Henry, Vanessa LaFaye and Karen Maitland chat to Bill Buckley
Keeping the coffee coming at The Oak Room
A happy fancy dress prize winner!!
SO much has happened over the last week- and I honestly haven’t taken it all in yet!! I will share more moments with you soon!
Happy reading everyone,
Jenny xx
Alison Rose
I loved being part of the romantic novelists panel, thank you for inviting me. Next year I’ll stay for the whole festival!
Jenny Kane
You were wonderful Alison. I have had many comments- which I will pass on in person- about how lovely you are xx
Emma Mullins
I cannot begin to tell you what a huge impact this festival has had on my daughter. That’s her in the red dragon cozzie!! She loved it all and thanks to you guys, her self confidence as a budding young author/illustrator has shot through the magically sparkling star filled roof 🙂 THANK YOU for all your hard work xx
Jenny Kane
You are more than welcome. The children we’ve met over the past weeks have been delightful. One of the highlights of the festival for me was seeing all the story winners in the library. So much talent. Sophie wrote a beautiful story. As soon as we have it in print we will be in touch xx
Emma Mullins
Yay!!
Cath
I attended two of the panels – fantasy and crime – with my grand-daughter and we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. She was thrilled to get a book signed by one of her favourite authors, Angie Sage. Thank you for all your hard work organising the festival and I do hope it will happen again next year. I’ll certainly attend more events if it does.
Jenny Kane
Thanks so much- we were so lucky with both our authors, and our audience x
Lily Harlem
WOW! It seems you all had a most excellent time. The first of many wonderful literary festivals in Tiverton I’m sure 🙂
Lily x
Jenny Kane
Thanks hun- we are very happily overwhelmed by how well it has been received x