BroadstairsLit gets set to celebrate its second birthday

BroadstairsLit 2018 with Dermot O'Leary, illustrator Nick East, host Denise Martin-Harker and audience Photo Encade

BroadstairsLit will celebrate its second birthday on September 12 with a free community event in the Pavilion, Broadstairs. 

The popular Party Night will include the announcement of next year’s guest line up, the launch of Jane Wenham-Jones’ latest locally-set book The Big Five O, and music from local band The Hot Rats Acoustic duo.

Regular BroadstairsLit host Jane Wenham-Jones has set two of her previous novels – One Glass is Never Enough and Prime Time – in Thanet, where she grew up, and  has returned to her hometown for the setting for her sixth novel which is published by Harper Collins. The evening will feature an interview with Jane and a book signing, along with a special guest appearance by Maggie Harris – the award-winning poet and short-story writer who has also been inspired by Broadstairs. Waterstones Thanet will be providing a bookstall with signed copies of both The Big Five O and the new work from Maggie Harris: On Watching a Lemon Sail the Sea.

Author Jane Wenhame-Jones with Terry Waite Photo by Encade

There will also be a showcase of other local creative talent with a pop up art shop.

The festival reports another bumper year with a guest list that has included Dermot O’Leary, Nick East, Helen Lederer, Chetna Makan, Caitlin Davies, Terry Waite CBE, Sunny Ormonde and will conclude in November with Jonathan Aitken. ‘

Denise Martin-Harker, co-founder of BroadstairsLit, said: “We are proud that all our events offer something different in subject matter and in style, something for everyone’ says  ‘We’ve even had a book turned into food when Chetna prepared a fabulous Indian taster menu from her latest book.”

All are welcome to attend the party, which will raise money for local charities that tackle loneliness and isolation for the older generation in Thanet – The Thanet Good Neighbour Service and The Broadstairs Town Shed. 

The event takes place on September 12, 7.30pm at the Pavilion, Broadstairs.

To reserve a free place or register for the BroadstairsLit newsletter visit BroadstairsLit.co.uk or turn up at the door (space permitting).

Everyone on the BroadstairsLit mailing list will be entered into a prize draw to be announced at the end of the year.