Best-Selling authors top bill at Harborough's Literary Festival
- LM News
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Best-selling crime writer Janice Hallett and Costa prize winner Claire Fuller are among a host of authors to appear at the first ever Market Harborough Literary Festival.
Janice Hallett will talk about her latest book, ‘The Silent Appeal’, while Claire Fuller will discuss her new contemporary gothic novel ‘Hunger and Thirst’.
Diana Bretherick (left) and Helen Kennedy, organisers of the Market Harborough Literary Festival, outside event venue St Dionysius’ Church. Photo: Melissa De Fusco / MH Literary Festival.
Other renowned writers participating in Q&As and book signings include Manish Chauhan, whose 2026 Faber debut ‘Belgrave Road’ is a poignant love story set in nearby Leicester.
The literary festival, taking place between 19th and 27th September, is the brainchild of local writers and reading enthusiasts Diana Bretherick and Helen Kennedy. Their aim is to provide a packed weekend of events for Harborough book lovers of all genres and all ages.
The programme also includes a crime authors’ panel, published writers discussing fantasy folk horror and historical fiction, plus children’s book activities at Waterstones, a literary walk through the town centre, and a ‘writers’ day’ with a publishing industry expert. The festival concludes with a poetry pizza party.
Harborough resident Diana Bretherick, herself an award-winning crime author, said: “Harborough is a town of readers and writers, but for a long time we’ve lacked an event that can bring authors and readers together to celebrate books.
It’s appropriate that we put that right in 2026, which is the National Year of Reading. The Market Harborough Literary Festival will help put the town on the literary map, where it belongs. We’re hugely grateful to the authors who are taking the time to travel here and meet Harborough’s book lovers.”
Helen Kennedy, a fellow writer and member of the Harborough Writers’ Hub established by Diana, said: “The literary festival is a fantastic opportunity for readers and authors to get together and celebrate their mutual love of books. It’s a chance to meet your favourite authors, discover new ones, and talk about your favourite stories and characters. You’ll discover a large range of genres: crime fiction, fantasy, historical and book club fiction. Anyone who loves reading and books will enjoy some wonderful afternoons of discussion and storytelling.”
The festival runs from Saturday 19th to Sunday 27th September, with day and weekend tickets available.
Full programme and tickets are available from 9th June at www.marketharboroughlitfest.co.uk.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
Saturday 19th September (Congregational Church Centre)
• Writers’ Day: Introduction to Publishing: with industry expert and editor Sara-Jade Virtue
Saturday 26th September (St Dionysus’s Church, 12 noon –4.30pm)
• Marisa Linton and Belinda Campbell: discuss the fantasy folk horror genre and their respective novels ‘Circle of Shadows’ and ‘Something Wicked’
• Manish Chauhan: Leicester-born author of acclaimed Faber novel ‘Belgrave Road’
• Claire Fuller: award-winning author discusses her new novel ‘Hunger and Thirst’
• Janice Hallett: best-selling crime author talks about her brand-new book ‘The Silent Appeal’
Sunday 27th September (Louisa’s Place, from 3pm – 8.30pm)
• ‘Cannonballs, corsets and coal: an 18th Century story in eight objects’: talk by historical fiction author Carolyn Kirby
• Crime fiction panel and author Q&A with E C Bateman, Louise Jensen and Simon Mason. Panel chair: Diana Bretherick.
• Poetry Pizza Party: with featured award-winning poets, live music, and poetry open mic slots. MC: Kia Matanky-Becker.
