WhitLit Returns!

Photo by Max Kennedy

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Louise Doughty announced as first author to appear in festival reboot

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WhitLit, Whitstable’s successful literary festival established in 2014, will return this Autumn, with a brand new format and a big literary name.

Whilst previous WhitLits have taken place annually in May, the new format will focus on one-off events across the year. 

Multi-million selling and prize winning fiction writer Louise Doughty, will be the first name to feature at WhitLit with an event at the Whitstable School on 9 November. 

Louise, whose books include Appletree Yard and Crossfire, (both adapted by the BBC), will be in conversation with journalist Richard Barber discussing her new novel A Bird in Winter. 

WhitLit has welcomed many household names over the years including Sandi Togsvig, Terry Waite, Lord David Owen, Lynda La Plante, Alan Johnson, Kate Adie, Martin Bell, David Nicholls, Joanne Harris, Kate Mosse, Susan Hill, Lyn Barber, Kathy Lette and Peter James.

Victoria Falconer, Founder and  Director of the non-profit WhitLit says, “We sadly had to cancel the last WhitLit in 2020 due to Covid, and since then the festival has been on hiatus. The time feels right to bring it back to life, but we felt a change of format would breathe new energy into it. Having an annual festival in May was a huge undertaking and whilst it was very successful, we were often limited by authors who were promoting their books at that specific time of the year. By moving to a year-round model, we will be able to access a wider number of high profile writers, as well as offering regular events for the many literary lovers in Whitstable and beyond.”

Whitstable based author Julie Wassmer and journalist Richard Barber have been announced as official Patrons of WhitLit. Victoria continues: “Julie and Richard have been wonderfully supportive of WhitLit over the years from appearing and hosting events, to promoting across social media as well as securing big names like Lynda La Plante. It’s a pleasure to make them official patrons and I look forward to working with them to build on WhitLit’s reputation of producing high quality, popular literary events”.

Julie is former TV screenwriter turned bestselling author of 9 Whitstable Pearl novels. The detective drama has been adapted for Acorn TV and stars Kerry Godliman as Pearl Nolan. Julie has appeared at many previous WhitLits. Julie says: “Having taken part in several events at WhitLit, and recognising all the hard work and commitment of Victoria Falconer in shaping such a popular festival, I feel very honoured indeed to have become a patron – especially alongside Richard Barber – and look forward to supporting WhitLit’s much-awaited return.”

Richard has edited nine magazines in succession, including Woman, TV Times and OK! He is now a full-time freelance journalist. He has hosted several WhitLit events in the past. Richard says: “I’m delighted to be chosen as a patron of WhitLit and can’t wait to meet Louise Doughty and all the other fine literary names waiting in the wings.”

About Louise Doughty

Louise Doughty’s novels include Platform Seven recently filmed for a major new ITV series, Black Water a New York Times Notable Book of the Year; the bestseller Apple Tree Yard which was adapted for BBC One; and Whatever You Love nominated for the Costa Novel Award and the Women’s Prize for fiction. She has been nominated for many other prizes including the Sunday Times Short Story Prize and the CWA Silver Dagger, along with creating and writing the hit BBC drama Crossfire. Her work has been translated into thirty languages. She lives in London.

https://www.louisedoughty.com/

About a Bird in Winter

Bird is a woman on the run leaving her job, her home, her life. It’s a day she thought might come, and one she’s prepared for. 

As she flees north using multiple disguises, Bird must work out who exactly is on her trail, and who if anyone she can trust. Is her greatest fear that she will be hunted down, or that she will never be found?

Tickets are on sale NOW for Louise Doughty’s event at £12+BF from ticketsource here.

All information for forthcoming events will be announced on the WhitLit facebook page.