With Authors’ talks, performers, workshops, children’s activities, ‘Meet the Author’ sessions, plus live music, it was a treat for the eyes ears and soul of the hundreds of visitors it attracted.
I listened in awe to Maitland, Ebsworth and Hollick while moved
to peep through my fingers as David Bell described some truly awful local murders
and wondered how he slept nights!
Then, beneath the shade of the trees in all
their summer glory, I listened to the choir and solo artiste doing their best under
a plastic tent in the searing heat, for Arnot Hill Park has everything except a
bandstand.
The Bookfest culminated with the Silver Scribes short story
competition awards of which I was delighted to be a finalist. In particular I'd
like to single out Julie Malone and John Baird of New Writers UK, and
Waterstone’s, to whom I will always be grateful for the interest and
encouragement they have always shown towards my books.
I do so hope this is the
beginning of an annual festival affair and look forward with great pleasure to
its literary future. Well done all of you.
Joy James
Joy James is the author of 'Yo'd mak a parson swear!' |