Two authors bringing first ever literary festival to Market Harborough this September
Two writers from Market Harborough are gearing up for a busy September as they prepare to host the town’s first literary festival.
Authors Diana Bretherick and Helen Kennedy came up with the idea earlier this year when they felt that a town known for its readers and writers needed to have its own festival for all things literature.
Sarah Fitzgerald has been volunteering with Market Harborough Literary Festival and is part of the team working to help the packed weekend run smoothly.
She explained: “They felt like there should be something here that was more of a community festival.”
While organisers had initially struggled to secure authors, they eventually landed Sunday Times bestselling author Janice Hallett, followed by Claire Fuller and Leicester-born author Manish Chauhan.
Sarah said: “It’s a chance to get up close and personal, with authors that you love or authors that you’re finding out about.”
Despite being weeks ahead of the festival, some events have now sold out after a successful launch event in June.
Sarah explained: “They were sold out three or four weeks ago. So, with a lot of time to spare, we knew that we’ve got people coming and people interested.”
The festival will feature authors across crime, fantasy, historical and literary fiction, with talks, conversations and book signings.
There will also be children’s entertainment in Waterstones on September 27.
The team are already looking ahead to the 2027 edition of the festival.
Sarah added: “We’ll definitely do it again. We want to have more satellite events and free events going on around and outside.
“We want to do a bigger, better one next year.”
The festival will start on September 19 and finish on September 27.
Visit www.marketharboroughlitfest.co.uk for more information and tickets.