Sherborne Literary Festival secures a royal coup!
The Sherborne Literary Festival, which is held in the picturesque Dorset town of Sherborne from 14 – 18 October, will this year host a member of the royal family on its opening day when HRH Princess Michael of Kent speaks about her latest book, Agnès Sorel - Mistress of Beauty. The book is published by Constable & Robinson - a division of Little, Brown Book Group – and is the second volume in the Anjou Trilogy.
The outspoken Princess has a history of headline-grabbing comments when promoting her books on European royalty and will no doubt prove to be a very entertaining speaker at the Festival.
John Julius Norwich is also a Sherborne Literary Festival speaker with a royal connection – the renowned English historian is descended from King William 1V and after a distinguished career in the diplomatic service, worked extensively on radio and television, writing and presenting more than 30 television documentaries on a variety of historical subjects. He will be speaking about his new book, Sicily: A Short History, from the Greeks to Cosa Nostra.
Other confirmed speakers include John Suchet, the author, TV presenter, newsreader and musical host who will be talking about his latest book The Last Waltz: the Strauss Dynasty and Vienna. John says he is fascinated by the way the family were waltzing and drinking champagne as Europe descended into turmoil with events leading up to the First World War.
Another popular speaker coming to the Festival is Victoria Hislop who will be featuring her book, The Sunrise, published in September 2014 with the paperback published this year; it is set in Cyprus and describes events occurring in 1972 when the Turks invaded Famagusta, plunging the Island into conflict and chaos.
The Festival is now in its fourth year and becoming a well-established and appreciated event with many of the town’s businesses, like headline sponsor residential and commercial estate agent Knight Frank, lending its support to ensure the Festival can continue to grow and attract top international names.
Celebrity authors like Gyles Brandreth, Ann Widdecombe, Kate Adie, Michael Dobbs, Joanna Trollope, Santa Montefiore and many others have already enjoyed Sherborne’s hospitality and with several other names still to be announced, this year’s Festival promises to be better than ever, attracting visitors from outside the area as well as from the town itself.
For further details please email Sue Adams, Events Co-ordinator: sueadams.sls@gmail.com
Further press information and high res images from Jane Adkins, A Head for PR Ltd, T/: 01935 813114; M/: 07960698089 or E/: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk
May 2015 (SLF 02)