Now in its second year, the cosy, relaxed feel of the festival belies its astonishing ambition and scope. This year’s participants include Sir Terry Pratchett, Sir Andrew Motion, Michael Wood, Robert McCrum, Charlie Higson, Allison Pearson…I could go on and on. Talks and readings are interspersed with events such as a Crime Fiction Tea complete with Delicious Death cake while aspiring writers can take part in a Creative Writing session run by the bestselling author Celia Brayfield.

I participated in the festival last year as an author but took my 8 year old daughter along this time around to enjoy it from the other side of the fence. We listened enraptured to award-winning children’s author Anthony McGowan whose hilarious new book Einstein’s Underpants – And How They Saved The World is out now. Equally enthralling, and coping manfully with an audience whose age range spanned everything from toddlers to grown-ups, was Josh Lacey who has just published the latest in his brilliant Grk series, Grk Down Under.

Kudos to the indefatigable Torin Douglas and his team for what is a thoroughly enjoyable event. It pulls off the rare feat of appealing to a wide range of reading tastes while always remaining entertaining and informative. The festival runs through until tomorrow evening, Sunday 19th September, so you still have time to catch this evening’s events, which include Sir Andrew Motion, as well as Sadie Jones, Rebecca Frayn, Adele Parks et al. And the best thing about it? All the money raised goes to good causes including reading related charities. Now that’s what I call a literary festival with heart!

I am so excited to report that Kumari, Goddess of Gotham has been longlisted for this year’s Doncaster Book Award along with Eoin Colfer’s ‘Airman,’ Darren Shan’s ‘Demon Apocalypse,’ Charlie Higson’s ‘Hurricane Gold’ and Michael Morpurgo’s ‘Born to Run’ amongst a host of other fabulous authors and titles. What I particularly like about this award is that no adults are involved – it’s strictly chosen by kids and they are the only ones who can vote for their favourite. For more about it click below:

http://www.doncasterbookaward.net/index.php

Ann Bryant and I conducted an event at the Queen’s Hotel, Cheltenham and it was a great success. A big hello to all the girls and boys and their parents who came along and I hope you’re putting all the tips and tricks I taught you into practice! Here’s a pic of Ann and I at the venue: