Lee Child, the author behind the
global phenomenon, Jack Reacher, headlines the inaugural Whitby Lit Fest.
Child’s books have been
translated in multiple languages, had two Hollywood adaptations starring Tom
Cruise, and a hit Amazon Prime series featuring Alan Ritchson, with millions of
copies sold worldwide.
The blockbuster author will be in
conversation with the TV personality, Rob Rinder.
Lee will be discussing the new
Reacher book – Exit Strategy - co-written with his brother, Andrew
Child. The 30th title in the Jack Reacher series is published on 4
November.
Child will also discuss his first
ever autobiographical collection, The Stories Behind the Stories, which
is published this September.
Rinder is a Sunday Times No.1
bestselling author, with a series of novels inspired by his experiences as a
barrister: The Trial, The Suspect and The Protest.
Over 40 authors are expected to
descend on the coastal town for the inaugural festival, which runs from
Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 November.
Alongside bestselling authors,
Whitby Lit Fest will champion writers, past and present, who have been inspired
by Whitby, and celebrate the coast’s literary heritage.
Whitby is home to one of the
world’s most enduring literary legacies: Dracula.
The name Dracula and some of the
novel’s most dramatic scenes were inspired by Bram Stoker’s holiday in Whitby
in 1890.
The picturesque harbour, abbey
ruins, windswept churchyard, and the salty tales he heard from Whitby seafarers
all became ingredients in the novel.
Festival Patron, Kate Fenton -
the author and former BBC Radio 4 producer - said: “Whitby is
a book lover’s
playground. I’ve been known to march protesting family members up the 199 steps
at midnight to sit, as Bram Stoker’s silly Lucy does, on a lonely bench in the
gale-blasted churchyard, daring a bat to sweep down.
“Strolling along West Cliff, I
like to imagine I might bump into Jackson Brodie because I’ve noticed brilliant
Kate Atkinson is fond of sending her detective to our town – and I kid myself
I’m personally acquainted with the characters in Ben Myers’ The Offing,
set just down the coast in Robin Hood’s Bay. I could go on. The place’s clearly
an enduring inspiration for writers, and it’s marvellous so many will be
gathering here in November, along with us inky-fingered bookworms, young and
old. I can hardly wait.”
The anniversary of Bram Stoker’s
birthday is on November 8, and the festival has plans to mark the occasion,
alongside its links to another literary legend: Charles Dickens, who stayed at
the White Horse and Griffin whilst visiting Whitby.
Lois Kirtlan, Committee Chair of
the Whitby Lit Fest, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome a literary giant, like
Lee Child, to launch a landmark event for readers and writers alike.”
A major theme of the first
festival will celebrate Whitby’s dramatic coastline and landscapes, with
authors focussing on nature, travel, and the outdoors, as well as a wider look
at wellbeing.
Lois said: “The landscape, sea,
and dramatic skies offer the perfect setting to discuss the big questions books
throw up about life. It’s a chance for readers to go on a literary adventure,
to discover new authors alongside established and acclaimed writers, with the
remarkable backdrop of Whitby in November, with its quieter coastal paths and
dramatic sunsets. Throw in our famous fish and chips, and we think it’s every
bookworm’s paradise.”
Other themes include crime
fiction, gothic horror, and working-class writing.
The festival will also feature a
poetry strand to celebrate established and emerging local poets. A bespoke
children’s strand is centred on a writing competition for local schoolchildren
delivered in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, to ignite a love of
writing and reading in young audiences.
The full programme and ticket
sales will be announced later in the year.
The event is an initiative by the
Whitby community, with a steering committee of local businesses The Whitby
Bookshop and Hetty & Betty, alongside North Yorkshire Council Libraries,
Visit North Yorkshire, and English Heritage, who look after Whitby Abbey, with
support from Cause UK Public Relations and Hello Technology.
Lois added: “This is a festival rooted in place and community. We want to create something that’s not only world-class in literary programming, but also deeply connected to the people and stories of Whitby. It’s about celebrating creativity and heritage, and bringing people together through the joy of books.”
Whitby Lit Fest is being
established as a charity. Ticket prices will be affordable and accessible. The
committee welcomes sponsorship and volunteer support. If interested, and to
receive other festival updates please contact the festival team via the website: www.whitbylitfest.org.uk
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