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!

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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

Julie Cohen, Rachel Brimble, Alison Rose and Jenny Kane talk romantic fiction

Packed house from the Crime Panel

Packed house from the Crime Panel

Simon Hall and Nicola Upson chat to Paul Mortimer

Simon Hall and Nicola Upson chat to Paul Mortimer

Crime writer Clare Donoghue

Crime writer Clare Donoghue

Teresa Drsicoll, veronica Henry, Vanessa LaFaye and Karen Maitland chat to Bill Buckley

Teresa Drsicoll, veronica Henry, Vanessa LaFaye and Karen Maitland chat to Bill Buckley

Keeping the coffee coming at The Oak Room

Keeping the coffee coming at The Oak Room

A happy fancy dress prize winner!!

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