AN exciting literary line-up heads to Marlborough for the sixth annual LitFest next month.

There will be over 25 events taking place during the festival weekend. A mix of fiction and non-fiction, poetry, children’s events and creative writing workshops for adults and teenagers means there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Marlborough LitFest celebrates the best in good writing, championing new upcoming authors as well as established names, many of whom are prizewinning authors.

The programme includes international bestselling author of The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series Alexander McCall Smith, prizewinning novelist and poet Helen Dunmore as well as this year’s Golding Speaker Salley Vickers.

LitFest is thrilled that Andrew O’Hagan, best known for his contemporary British novels, has recently been longlisted for the Man Booker Prize for his novel The Illuminations – one of only three UK authors on the list of 13.

Jasper Fforde will be bringing his unique blend of fictional comedy/fantasy/sci-fi/crime writing to the LitFest and history enthusiasts can choose between historical biographer and novelist Alison Weir or medieval historian and Magna Carta expert, Sean McGlyn.

A mix of new young authors and contemporary novelists will be on offer plus a new biography of Vita Sackville-West as well as a new translation of the legendary epic, Anna Karenina. Current political commentary will be provided by a parliamentary satirist, John Crace and essential top tips from financial journalist John Lanchester on how to navigate the current financial markets.

On a topical note, renowned broadcaster, novelist and human rights journalist, Bidisha, will be discussing asylum and exile issues, particularly those seeking refuge in the UK from abroad. The British Indian writer will be in conversation with John Crace, the Guardian’s parliamentary sketch writer.

Mavis Cheek, Founder Patron of the LitFest said: “Here is another lively mixture of fiction and non-fiction from a wide range of writers who are all set to enjoy their visit to the Marlborough Literature Festival 2015.

"From the delicious humour of Alexander McCall Smith to the stark realities of life as a refugee from Bidisha - it's another year with something for everyone to enjoy. And tickets are going fast.”

Tickets and programme catalogues are available from The White Horse Bookshop, Marlborough High Street, or Pound Arts Tel: 01249 701628 / 01249 712618 (www.poundarts.org.uk/). For further information, visit www.marlboroughlitfest.org