Ilminster Literary Festival is expecting a 30 per cent increase in ticket sales this year.
The festival, which runs from Thursday, May 29 to Thursday, June 2, is in its ninth year and showcases 27 events, including children's events and talks from national and lesser-known authors.
Festival director Sue Collard said: "It's hard work, but we've got a great planning team, supportive volunteers and friends of ILF, generous sponsors from the local community and truly appreciative, enthusiastic audiences who make it all worthwhile."
Talks at the festival include TV historian Professor Kate Williams on the Royal Palaces, Her Honour Wendy Joseph KC on the fairness of the British legal system, and Sam Leith, literary editor of The Spectator, on children's literature.
Charlie Waite, founder of the Landscape Photographer of the Year competition, will give an illustrated talk on landscape photography.
For poetry enthusiasts, there will be a joint reading by Christopher Reid and Jamie McKendrick.
The festival was originally an initiative of Ilminster Rotary Club, with initial support from the town council and the South Somerset Arts Officer, who - despite helping get things started - thought the venture was "brave and possibly foolish."
However, it has since grown into a self-funding charity, attracting speakers from across the wider arts.
To find out more about the events, people can pick up a free 2025 festival brochure from libraries, shops, cafes, and other public venues around town and the local area.
Full details and ticket purchases are also available online at ilminsterliteraryfestival.org.
Tickets will be on sale online until the festival ends on Thursday, June 2.
Alternatively, tickets can be purchased from the box office at Ilminster Arts Centre every morning (excluding Sundays and Mondays) from 10.30am to 12.30pm until Wednesday, May 28.
After that, tickets can be bought at the door, subject to availability.
Share