Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1126" height="789" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Ad.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-54000" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Ad.jpg 1126w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Ad-800x561.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Ad-1000x701.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Ad-768x538.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Ad-749x525.jpg 749w" sizes="(max-width: 1126px) 100vw, 1126px" /></figure>



<p>Keyboards down, pens and paper in hand for <a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/2023/01/23/a-three-day-literary-feast-the-english-riviera-literature-festival-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The English Riviera Literature Festival</a>, a three-day literary feast celebrating local authors, kicking off on Thursday 16 March at the Palace Theatre in Paignton. </p>



<p>The itinerary is jam-packed full of literary themed events with creative activities for both children and adults, author talks and, if you are itching to put pen to paper yourself, oodles of opportunities to find advice and inspiration. It&#8217;s also cost of living crisis-friendly with all ticketed talks charged at £6 or less.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE LOCATION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="960" height="720" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/02/palace-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-40733" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/02/palace-1.jpg 960w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/02/palace-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/02/palace-1-667x500.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/02/palace-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/02/palace-1-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure>



<p>Events are held in a lovely historic venue in a leafy Paignton square, Torbay&#8217;s oldest theatre, no less. Here you&#8217;ll find a packed year-round programme of events with three shows a week, a 380-seat theatre, café and a new space, Stage Left, a parquet-floored venue with a wall of rainbow-coloured books, where you can learn to chachacha with former-<em>Strictly</em>&nbsp;star, Flavia.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT&#8217;S ON</h2>



<p><strong>Thursday 16 March:</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="914" height="1280" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/thumbnail_Stephanie-Austin-author-2023-ER-Lit-Festival.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-53994" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/thumbnail_Stephanie-Austin-author-2023-ER-Lit-Festival.jpeg 914w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/thumbnail_Stephanie-Austin-author-2023-ER-Lit-Festival-571x800.jpeg 571w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/thumbnail_Stephanie-Austin-author-2023-ER-Lit-Festival-714x1000.jpeg 714w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/thumbnail_Stephanie-Austin-author-2023-ER-Lit-Festival-768x1076.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/thumbnail_Stephanie-Austin-author-2023-ER-Lit-Festival-375x525.jpeg 375w" sizes="(max-width: 914px) 100vw, 914px" /></figure>



<p>Stephanie Austin has the honour of kicking off events with the first author talk &#8211; <em><a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/shows/an-audience-at-the-palace-turning-to-crime/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Turning to Crime</a> </em>(10.30-11.30am). Stephanie is the author of <em>The Devon Mystery Series</em>, contemporary crime novels set in our own Dartmoor town of Ashburton and featuring reluctant amateur sleuth and &#8211; antique shop owner, what else? &#8211; Juno Brown.</p>



<p>Between 11.45am-1.30pm there&#8217;s a free event where anybody interested in creative writing courses will have the opportunity to chat with the Palace Theatre&#8217;s resident creative writers from <em>Write Time Write Place</em>.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2128" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/mary-shelley.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-53995" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/mary-shelley.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/mary-shelley-564x800.jpg 564w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/mary-shelley-705x1000.jpg 705w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/mary-shelley-768x1090.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/mary-shelley-1083x1536.jpg 1083w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/mary-shelley-1444x2048.jpg 1444w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/mary-shelley-370x525.jpg 370w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>From 2-3pm Emma Seaman is holding an author talk, exploring the mystery of <a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/shows/mary-shelleys-lost-torquay-novel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mary Shelley&#8217;s lost Torquay novel</a>. Definitely booking in for this! Of course, the famous author of Frankenstein wrote other stories it just never occurred to me she would have. This book apparently lay undiscovered for nearly 200 years in the attic of an Italian villa which sounds like great story in itself.</p>



<p><strong>Friday 17 March:</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/1334231300.0.x.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-53998" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/1334231300.0.x.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/1334231300.0.x-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/1334231300.0.x-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/1334231300.0.x-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/1334231300.0.x-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/1334231300.0.x-394x525.jpg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Friday&#8217;s first author talk is with Rachel Trethewey (10.30-11.30pm). Rachel hails from Torquay and writes non-fiction. This talk will give an insight into <a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/shows/an-audience-at-the-palace-mistress-of-the-arts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Passionate Life of Georgina, Duchess of Bedford</a> &#8211; it&#8217;s only right to have a&nbsp;brush with royalty at the ‘Palace’.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="846" height="1280" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/thumbnail_Andrew-Wilson-2023-ER-Lit-Festival.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-53996" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/thumbnail_Andrew-Wilson-2023-ER-Lit-Festival.jpeg 846w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/thumbnail_Andrew-Wilson-2023-ER-Lit-Festival-529x800.jpeg 529w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/thumbnail_Andrew-Wilson-2023-ER-Lit-Festival-661x1000.jpeg 661w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/thumbnail_Andrew-Wilson-2023-ER-Lit-Festival-768x1162.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/thumbnail_Andrew-Wilson-2023-ER-Lit-Festival-347x525.jpeg 347w" sizes="(max-width: 846px) 100vw, 846px" /></figure>



<p>Friday&#8217;s second author talk, <em><a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/shows/audience-at-the-palace-a-life-in-crime/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Life in Crime</a></em>, features Andrew Wilson, a best-selling biographer and crime novelist who has even been bold enough to feature Agatha Christie as his detective in a number of his novels.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Saturday 18 March:</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="960" height="1729" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Helga-Jensen-authors-workshop-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-53997" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Helga-Jensen-authors-workshop-1.jpg 960w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Helga-Jensen-authors-workshop-1-444x800.jpg 444w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Helga-Jensen-authors-workshop-1-555x1000.jpg 555w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Helga-Jensen-authors-workshop-1-768x1383.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Helga-Jensen-authors-workshop-1-853x1536.jpg 853w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Helga-Jensen-authors-workshop-1-291x525.jpg 291w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure>



<p>Saturday (10.30am- 4:30pm) the <a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/shows/south-hams-authors-network-author-readings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">South Hams Authors Network</a> will be available in Stage Left for a free event featuring book readings and signings, along with the offer of advice if you consider yourself to be an aspiring writer in need of a little encouragement.</p>



<p>Ticketed events include a morning storytelling and craft workshop with children&#8217;s author <a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/shows/storytelling-and-crafts-with-childrens-author-clare-helen-welsh-2023-03-18/2023-03-18/2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clare Helen Welsh</a> and an afternoon workshop with award-winning women&#8217;s fiction author, <a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/shows/writing-commercial-fiction-workshop-with-helga-jensen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helga Jensen</a>, (above) where you can glean insider tips and tricks to getting published.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WANT MORE, MORE, MORE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="716" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Fun-Lovin-Crime-Writers-McCredie_29-02-2020_FLCW-108.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-54001" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Fun-Lovin-Crime-Writers-McCredie_29-02-2020_FLCW-108.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Fun-Lovin-Crime-Writers-McCredie_29-02-2020_FLCW-108-800x573.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Fun-Lovin-Crime-Writers-McCredie_29-02-2020_FLCW-108-768x550.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Fun-Lovin-Crime-Writers-McCredie_29-02-2020_FLCW-108-733x525.jpg 733w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>&nbsp;As if that wasn&#8217;t enough literary joy, the Palace Theatre returns to the theme in September when the truly fabulous <a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/shows/the-fun-lovin-crime-writers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fun Lovin&#8217; Crime Writers </a>are coming to the Palace to open the Agatha Christie Festival 2023.</p>



<p>If you&#8217;re a crime fiction fan, you&#8217;re sure to have heard of this literary supergroup consisting of six top selling crime writers (Chris Brookmyre, Mark Billingham, Luca Veste, Doug Johnstone, Stuart Neville and the indomitable, brilliant Val McDermid) who found their shared love of playing music during their frequent encounters at literary festivals around the country. </p>



<p>You can book tickets for the evening gig (Fri 8 Sept)to hear how helpful being an expert on forensics is to guitar playing or for a <a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/shows/a-murderous-afternoon-tea-with-6-of-the-uks-best-selling-crime-writers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fun Lovin&#8217; Crime Writers Afternoon Tea</a> ( £25pp, Fri 8 Sept) at both expect to be regaled with humorous stories of their writing and their musical adventures. (Turns out, the life of a crime writer is surprisingly jolly.) </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="960" height="695" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/agatha.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-54010" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/agatha.jpg 960w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/agatha-800x579.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/agatha-768x556.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/agatha-725x525.jpg 725w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure>



<p>It also promises to be a spectacular way to open the annual <a href="http://www.agathachristiefestival.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Agatha Christie Festival </a>on 8-17 September. If the Queen of Crime is insufficient to satisfy your book-worming, then bookmark these other fabulous festivals taking place throughout Devon in 2023. What a learned bunch we are.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">DEVON LIT FESTIVALS TO BOOKMARK PRONTO</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-appledore-book-festival-fri-15-sun-24-sept"><a href="https://www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Appledore Book Festival</a>, Fri 15 – Sun 24 Sept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/01/appledore-book-fest-720x480.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-28388" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/01/appledore-book-fest-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/01/appledore-book-fest-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/01/appledore-book-fest-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/01/appledore-book-fest-787x525.jpg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/01/appledore-book-fest.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>North Devon’s answer to the Hay Festival turned themselves into the first ever literary drive-in during Covid, and last year was a sell-out with Sue Barker and Chris Tarrant among the luminaries. What have they got up the sleeves for 2023? So far just the dates to get in your diary, but watch this space.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-budleigh-literary-festival-budleigh-salterton-weds-20-sun-24-sept"><strong><a href="https://budlitfest.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Budleigh Literary Festival</a>, Budleigh Salterton, Weds 20 – Sun 24 Sept</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="470" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/08/budleigh-lit-fest.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34545" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/08/budleigh-lit-fest.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/08/budleigh-lit-fest-300x141.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/08/budleigh-lit-fest-720x338.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/08/budleigh-lit-fest-768x361.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/08/budleigh-lit-fest-900x423.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Budleigh Lit Fest’s &#8216;celebration of books by the sea’. Expect exciting writers, thinkers, experts and opinion-formers, as well as lively panel of events, workshops for writers and crafters, and families.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="http://www.shutefest.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shute literary Festival</a> &#8211; October TBC</h2>



<p>Shute Festival was established in 2016 to bring inspirational and stimulating speakers&nbsp;–&nbsp;including botanists, biographers, explorers, documentary makers, gardeners, historians, poets, novelists and travel writers –&nbsp;to a stunning corner of the West Country.</p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/2023/01/23/a-three-day-literary-feast-the-english-riviera-literature-festival-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The English Riviera Literature Festival</a>, Palace Theatre Paignton, Palace Avenue, Paignton, Devon, TQ3 3HF</em></strong>.</p>


Preview: The English Riviera Literature Festival

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