Get set for the Essex Book Festival

By nking

IT'S back, and it's bigger than ever. The Essex Book Festival 2009 is ready to begin, and is prepared to celebrate its tenth anniversary in style.

Running from Monday, March 2, to Monday, March 30, the festival welcomes a host of authors, historians, public speakers, workshops and events to towns throughout the county.

Literary heavyweights such as Louis de Bernieres, Melvyn Bragg, Joan Bakewell, Roy Hattersley and Jojo Moyes will be among the throng of writers helping make this festival one to remember, with more than 60 events taking place throughout March.

The festival's patrons are Germaine Greer, Francis Wheen, Barbara Erskine and Sylvia Kent, and it is managed by Essex County Council Libraries in partnership with Essex district and borough councils and Thurrock Unitary Council.

Cllr David Finch, Essex County Council cabinet member for adults, health and community wellbeing, said: "Organisers have surpassed themselves and the line up for 2009 is spectacular, as befits the 10th anniversary year. The marvellous reputation of the event has meant, once again, we will be graced by a number of well-known and inspiring writers."

Essex authors are well represented, including poet Martin Newell, literary critic and former Colchester boy John Sutherland, novelist Barbara Erskine, biographer Julia Jones and JoJo Moyes. Essex journalists, writers and biographers Francis Wheen and Simon Heffer will also appear, while Prof Jules Pretty from Essex University will deliver the 2009 Burrows Lecture.

Budding authors, historians and poets will give an insight into the best up-and-coming talents around and Chinese writers will help celebrate the wonderful Essex-Jiangsu Festival.

In short, there is something for everybody, and to find out more you can pick up a brochure from your local library, visit www.essexbookfestival.org.uk, or call the box office on 01206 573948 for tickets.