Deepings Literary Festival gets under way for four days of talks and events in and around Market Deeping

A four-day celebration of the written word returns today as a literary festival gets under way.

Deepings Literary Festival was founded in 2017 and incorporates events at venues across the area.

It kicks off at Deepings Library from 2pm today (Thursday) with an Introduction to Publishing workshop, run by Sarah-Jade Virtue.

Then at 7pm, teacher Carl Atherton, from Market Deeping, talks about her book Reading Lessons which invites us to rediscover the plays and novels we studied at school.

Friday’s programme opens with three authors at Oddfellows Hall - historian and writer Anne Fletcher (10am), prolific Deeping author Julia Jarman (noon), and television writer Suk Pannu (2pm).

At 4pm, award-winning poet, novelist and art critic Sue Hubbard will be at Priory Church Hall, supported by 1940s singer, Rachel Bea, and Steve Holt hosts a sold-out talk about his football book at Deeping Sports and Social Club from 7.30pm.

Molecey Mill has proved popular with five sold-out talks on Saturday.

They feature police officer turned crime writer Clare Mackintosh, best-selling author Simon Toyne, novelist and antique jewellery specialist E C Bateman, global number one bestselling author Jack Jordan, and award-winning former Daily Mirror show business journalist Fiona Cummins.

There are a few tickets still available for two further Saturday events at Lilli’s Tearoom - an afternoon with Heidi Swain, writer of feelgood fiction, at 3pm and 4.45pm.

The festival reaches its final chapter on Sunday at Molecey Mill and Deepings Library.

Wildlife presenter, author and ranger, Ajay Tegala, and writer, birdwatcher and conductor Lev Parikian talk to Linda Hill from 10am at Molecey Mill.

Peterborough Playgoers present Literary Lincolnshire at the library at 10.30am, and the festival wraps up back at Molecey Mill with freelance journalist, author, lecturer and campaigner Tessa Boase from 2pm.

For full details of ticket availability, and more information about the venues and event sponsors, visit https://deepingsliteraryfestival.co.uk

The winners of a short story competition for children and adults, based on the title The Call of the Wild, will also be announced during the event.