#BATHKIDSLITFEST WAS THE FIRST LITERATURE FESTIVAL I EVER ATTENDED – WHO AM I KIDDING..

The Bath Kids Lit Festival was the first literature festival I ever attended – who am I kidding, it was the first festival of any kind I’ve ever attended.  I first popped along in 2013, in the festival’s 6th year having arranged to meet up with someone who I’d been trying to meet for well over a year.

The festival became the first time I’d spoken to an author (in fact several) and the year it clicked that authors are people too, people that just so happen to have similar interests – the only real difference is they have the ability to craft stories that will take you on magical adventures, experience powerful emotions, make you cry and make you jump up and shout yes! And there lies the beauty of the Bath Kids Lit Fest, in it’s 9th year it’s still making it possible to meet your favourite authors and listen to what they have to say, bringing in the well known authors like Jacqueline Wilson, James Dawson and Holly Smale.

As well as showcasing new and upcoming talent – I’m particularly looking forward to for instance Bath Picks: Sarah Benwell, Sarah Crossan and Virgina Bergin. And that’s not all – for aspiring writers there are panels about writing for young people and panels about Writing Doctor Who and for film.  Not to mention the Shaun the Sheep modelling workshops (had to give those a shout out!), Pugs from Sarah McIntyre and Philip Reeve, mystery and bun breaks from Elen Caldetcott and Robin Stevens.

This years programme is so good the only downside is how you’re going to fit it all in!

Echoing the online UKYA and UKMG communities the Bath Kids Lit Fest brings together a passionate group of people in a celebration of children’s literature.  Readers (both young and not so), writers, illustrators, publishers – in fact anyone with an interest in children’s publishing and books will find something for them. All set in and around the beautiful buildings like the Guildhall which make Bath and the Telegraph Bath Children’s Literature Festival such a special and exciting place to be.

Jesse Owen

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