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From Dickens to Digital, the 2nd Guernsey Lit Festival Has Something For Everyone

Read more by Dennis Abrams
August 17, 2012

By Publishing Perspectives

From September 13-16, 2012, the beautiful Channel Island of Guernsey, the setting for one of the best of all contemporary novels, G.B. Edwards’ The Book of Ebenezer Le Page, will be hosting the second annual Guernsey Literary Festival. And its organizers promise that the festival has something for everyone: from schoolchildren to aspiring novelists; from the passionate bookworm to the busiest publishing professional; from the lover of poetry to comic book fanboys (and girls).

The eclectic program includes masterclasses with leading authors, film screenings, and family story telling sessions. And on Friday September 14, there will be a celebration of Charles Dickens’ bicentenary at a dinner hosted by his great-great-great-granddaughter, Lucinda Dickens Hawksley.

But at the same time, the festival will feature a strong focus on digital publishing. Experts from Random House, Channel 4, Profile Books, The Literary Platform, XPT, and Flow Interactive will take part in debates and workshops on the changing face of publishing and the ways in which technology is transforming the way books are being consumed.

And, by working with the Guernsey Education Department, the festival will deliver an education program that will inspire Guernsey’s children. This will include ha’penny readings of classic books, interactive storytelling workshops for children of all ages, as well as a Poetry Slam competition.

Among the authors and poets who will be taking part in the three day festival are Michael Morpurgo, Marina Lewycka, Carol Ann Durry, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Louis de Bernieres, Colin Grant, Hamish McRae, Atilla the Stockbroker, Rosa Rankin Gee, and Roger McGough.

Festival Director Catriona Stares said, “We’re delighted to have developed a marvelous variety of events to give a local, national and international feel. We are extremely grateful to Barclays for its continued support as our lead sponsor.”

See more about the Guernsey Literary Festival.

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