Sturminster Newton Literary Festival 2021 Newsletter and Line Up
All the events and booking links for this years' festival
Sturminster Newton Literary Festival celebrates writers from Dorset. The 1 June is Dorset Day so we’re celebrating by launching our E-newsletter with all the festival news.
It has been a challenging year to set up the literary festival but we have an interesting online programme with some literary walks. Already booked a place? Do check the list out as there will most probably be new events added since you booked your ticket. We’ll also be launching a literary video of the places associated with writers in Sturminster Newton which will be in the next newsletter. If you don’t live in Sturminster Newton, we’re hoping it will inspire you to visit.
All events are bookable online this year and are free (donations appreciated). This newsletter will keep you up to date with the festival and other literary related events. You can subscribe free here.
Monday 14 June 7 pm
Lucy Clarke in Conversation with Dorset Libraries
Lucy writes psychological thrillers and will be talking about her writing and new book The Castaways. Book her talk online here. Read more about Lucy here.
Tuesday 15 June 2:30 pm
Never a Word by Andy Christopher Miller.
Andy Miller is from Weymouth and is a writer and psychologist. A mysterious event on the Dorset coast inspired his book. Andy will be talking about how he has fused real events, psychological insights and a poetic style into a work of fiction. You can read more here and book your place on this link.
Tuesday 15 June 7 pm
Rosanna Ley in Conversation with Laura E James
Dorset author Rosanna Ley has set her books in many exotic places from Iran to Venice and Morocco. Some are also set in Dorset. In this event, Rosanna discusses writing and what inspires her, as well as her new book The Orange Grove, set in Seville, with fellow writer Laura E James. Book the talk here.
Wednesday 16 June 1:30pm
Tess’ Marlot
A literary walk around the village of Marnhull taking in the places associated with Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles. Book your place here (limited places due to social distancing)
Wednesday 16 June 2:30 pm
Thomas Hardy’s Women
Writer Peter Tait talks about his new book on the women in Hardy’s life and the heroines in his novels. Book your online place for this talk here.
Wednesday 16 June 7 pm
Dorset Dialect and Character in Crow Court
Andy Charman talks about his book Crow Court which is set in Wimborne and uses Dorset dialect. There’s even one chapter written in Dorset dialect. He will discuss how the William Barnes characters inspired him. You can book his talk here.
Thursday 17 June 7pm
Libby Page in conversation with Dorset Libraries
Libby will be talking about her writing and new book The Island Home. Her first book The Lido is being made into a film. Book your free online place for Libby’s talk with Dorset Libraries here.
Saturday 19 June 10:30
A Literary Walk Around Sturminster Newton
Local resident and Blue Badge guide Val Atkinson will lead a 1.5-hour walk around Sturminster Newton taking in the places associated with Thomas Hardy, William Barnes, and Robert Young. Book your place here.
And don’t miss the launch of our festival video celebrating the literary heritage associated with Sturminster Newton. The video has been commissioned specially for the festival and has been created by local filmmaker Niko Forster and narrated by Roger Guttridge. Subscribe to this free newsletter so you are first to see the video. if you don’t come from Sturminster Newton, we’re hoping to tempt you to visit in 2022.
Sturminster Newton Literary Festival Online Bookshop
We have an online bookstore at UK Bookshop which supports indie booksellers. Each purchase of a book from our shelves gives us a small affiliate payment that supports future speakers and festivals. You can find books by our 2021 festival speakers here. We also put a wider Dorset collection together here where you’ll find anything from books for children to history and Hardy- all with a Dorset theme.
Sturminster Newton Literary Festival 2022 is on June 13-19. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with the latest news. Want to get involved as a volunteer, sponsor or participant? Contact us at sturlitfest1@gmail.com for more information.