A literary festival is bringing guest speakers from the world of television, comedy, poetry and children’s entertainment together for a book-tastic event.

This year’s Maidstone LitFest includes eight days of talks and workshops from best-selling authors at venues across the county town.

Broadcaster and former politician Gyles Brandreth is just one of the big names set to appear at this year’s festival.

Fans of the author can enjoy a whistle-stop tour of the English language with snippets from his new book, Prose and Cons.

Comedian Maria McErlane, best known for being Graham Norton’s ‘agony aunt’ on BBC Radio 2 and Virgin Radio, will be discussing her memoir, Bumps in the Road, while author and Jane Austen expert Gill Hornby is sharing stories from the life of the Regency-era writer.

British poet and former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, author of the David Raker thriller series Tim Weaver, historians Helen Fry and Caitlin Davies, award-winning writer Lucy Strange, podcaster Rosie Wilby, Marvel Comics’ Dan Abnett and children’s illustrator Sarah Horne are also part of this year’s line-up.

Organisers of the festival have introduced a new event for 2024.

The Festival Family Fun Day takes place at Lockmeadow and is free to attend. There will be children’s entertainers, arts and crafts, a ‘book worm’ hunt and a local writers’ showcase.

Kids can also take part in workshops where they can create their own treasure maps and enjoy interactive storytelling sessions throughout the week.

You can find the full festival programme and book tickets here.

“It is such a joy collaborating with so many different groups, schools, sponsors and supporters in Maidstone,” says Becky Grace, one of the co-directors of the festival. “So many people have contributed to bringing this festival to the town – it is a real community event.”

Maidstone LitFest takes place from Saturday, October 5 to Saturday, October 12 at various venues, including Maidstone Museum, Town Hall, All Saints Church, Waterstones and The Kent History and Library Centre.