Devon


<p>Whichever genre floats your literary boat, Devon has it covered this September.  Not only is it a fabulous time of year to visit Devon with ‘mists and mellow fruitfulness’ abounding, but there’s a surprising number of options of book festival and literary events to choose from. Boredom begone, adventures await…</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.iacf-uk.org">International Agatha Christie Festival</a>, Fri 8 &#8211; Sat 23 Sept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="855" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/AgathaChristie-TAFC-Festival_LeadImage_2023_V3_Final_Medium.jpg" alt="Agatha Christie Festival" class="wp-image-58502" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/AgathaChristie-TAFC-Festival_LeadImage_2023_V3_Final_Medium.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/AgathaChristie-TAFC-Festival_LeadImage_2023_V3_Final_Medium-800x456.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/AgathaChristie-TAFC-Festival_LeadImage_2023_V3_Final_Medium-1000x570.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/AgathaChristie-TAFC-Festival_LeadImage_2023_V3_Final_Medium-768x438.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/AgathaChristie-TAFC-Festival_LeadImage_2023_V3_Final_Medium-900x513.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Arguably one of the best known is the International Agatha Christie Festival which opened with a spectacular Agatha Christie Sea Swim along the coast to Meadfoot Beach in which 225 swimmers took part, following in the arm-strokes of the mighty Agatha herself who amongst her numerous other interests enjoyed a good sea swim. </p>



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<p>It has often been said that timing is everything so the release next weekend of the new Poirot thriller starring Kenneth Branagh and Tina Fey, <em>A Haunting in Venice</em>, is a handy boon to this festival in honour of our most successful crime fiction writer. Films, walks, talks, special dining events, theatre and even a <a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/torquay/torquay-museum/festival-lit-hop/2023-09-10/19:00/t-yagpzzm">literary pub crawl</a> await.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fun-lovin-crime-writers-palace-theatre-paignton-fri-8-sept"><a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/shows/the-fun-lovin-crime-writers/">The Fun Lovin&#8217; Crime Writers</a>, Palace Theatre, Paignton, Fri 8 Sept</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/14/2023/08/Fun-Lovin-Crime-Writers-McCredie_29-02-2020_FLCW-108.jpg" alt="The Fun Loving' Crime Writers band" class="wp-image-58146" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/Fun-Lovin-Crime-Writers-McCredie_29-02-2020_FLCW-108.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/Fun-Lovin-Crime-Writers-McCredie_29-02-2020_FLCW-108-800x573.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/Fun-Lovin-Crime-Writers-McCredie_29-02-2020_FLCW-108-768x550.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/08/Fun-Lovin-Crime-Writers-McCredie_29-02-2020_FLCW-108-733x525.jpg 733w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Muddy will be popping along to the launch event, <a href="https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/shows/the-fun-lovin-crime-writers/">The Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers</a> at the&nbsp;Palace Theatre Paignton to enjoy an afternoon tea with six of the UK&#8217;s most popular crime writers. Val McDermid, Chris Brookmyre, Mark Billingham, Luca Veste, Doug Johnstone and Stuart Neville formed this super group of supersleuths on various book tours. Expect the unexpected and a surprising amount of hilarity for such a murderous bunch. We’ll let you know how we got on &#8211; as long as the sandwiches don&#8217;t have a suspicious aroma of almonds &#8211; and in the evening they&#8217;re performing as a band. Last I heard there&#8217;s a few tickets left so snap &#8217;em up, pronto.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk">Appledore Book Festival,</a> Fri 15 &#8211; Sun 24 Sept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/sarah-beeny.jpg" alt="Sarah Beeny " class="wp-image-57398" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/sarah-beeny.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/sarah-beeny-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/sarah-beeny-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/sarah-beeny-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/sarah-beeny-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/sarah-beeny-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The delightful Appledore gets a festival of its own with a fantastic array of <a href="https://www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk/_files/ugd/bc6eae_31cab968fbb34b909922800bd10de4aa.pdf">writers and speakers</a>, from Alexander McCall Smith and Sarah Beeny to the wonderful Ann Cleaves (<em>Vera</em>, <em>Shetland</em>) who is also patron of this festival.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/whats-on/south-hams-literary-festival-2023#:~:text=The%20first%20South%20Hams%20Literary,a%20quiz%20and%20book%20fair">South Hams Literary Festival</a>, Ivybridge, Weds 13 &#8211; Sun 17 Sept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/sarah-pearse1.jpg" alt="Sarah Pearse author " class="wp-image-53781" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/sarah-pearse1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/sarah-pearse1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/sarah-pearse1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/sarah-pearse1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/sarah-pearse1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/sarah-pearse1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We also have a newcomer this year. The first South Hams Literary Festival will take place across Ivybridge with hosts of author talks, poetry workshops and children&#8217;s activities, plus competitions and a quiz and book fair. Author highlights include Devon crime writer and <em>New York</em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>Sunday Times</em>&nbsp;bestselling author Sarah Pearse (above) and Jane Corry,&nbsp;<em>Sunday Times</em>&nbsp;bestselling writer who is speaking on how Churchill&#8217;s Secret Army in Devon inspired her new novel. Laudably, the new fest is seeking to provide an opportunity to give a positive spin on how to fix our planet and what we can do as individuals to support that aim. All events are free or ticketed at the lowest possible price, including a huge range of children&#8217;s craft activities.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/okebookfest-2023-celebrating-books-next-to-rivers-and-moor-tickets-663512001257">Okebookfest</a>, Okehampton Library, 9, 11, 13, 14 Sept</h2>



<p>Big isn&#8217;t always best and Okebookfest is providing a mix of &nbsp;author events, family events and creative writing, with six authors, a music and story session for parents and toddlers and folk music &#8211; all celebrating books next to rivers and moors. Topics covered include crime, historical thrillers and Roman era fiction, including that of Ruth Downie whose first novel <em>Medicus</em> was a <em>New York Times </em>bestseller and recommended by <em>The Times</em> as one of their “seven best thrillers for Christmas.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&nbsp;<a href="https://budlitfest.org.uk/">Budleigh Literary Festival</a>, Budleigh Salterton, Weds 20 &#8211; Sun 24 Sept </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="628" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/Kate_Mosse_wide_notitle_3e16281ebabb36065faa38e45e0ba9e9.jpg" alt="Kate Mosse" class="wp-image-53555" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/Kate_Mosse_wide_notitle_3e16281ebabb36065faa38e45e0ba9e9.jpg 1200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/Kate_Mosse_wide_notitle_3e16281ebabb36065faa38e45e0ba9e9-800x419.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/Kate_Mosse_wide_notitle_3e16281ebabb36065faa38e45e0ba9e9-1000x523.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/Kate_Mosse_wide_notitle_3e16281ebabb36065faa38e45e0ba9e9-768x402.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/Kate_Mosse_wide_notitle_3e16281ebabb36065faa38e45e0ba9e9-900x471.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></figure>



<p>With the likes of Lemn Sissay, Anton Lesser, Alastair Campbell, Polly Toynbee, David Baddiel, Kate Mosse (above) &#8211; so many spectacular humans in one little seaside town.</p>


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