TENTH ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL

IT'S COMING! The 10th Book Festival looks as if it will be the best ever. Meet Melvyn Bragg, Joan Bakewell, Frances Clamp, Roy Hattersley, Kate Atkinson, Helen Dunmore, Jonathan Gash, Barbara Erskine, Jojo Moyes, Martin Newell, Alison Weir, Xinran, Andrew Summers, Adele Parks, John Sutherland and many, many more great writers, poets, journalists and a sprinkling of literary critics. The Festival is managed by Essex County Council Libraries in partnership with Essex District and Borough Councils - also Thurrock Unitary Council.

Patrons this year will be Germaine Greer, Francis Wheen, Barbara Erskine and yours truly.

Box Office opens on Monday 5 January 2009 Tel: 01206 573948 or book online at www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

BBC Essex Radio with broadcasting team Ray Clark and Angela Lodge will be at Chelmsford Library on Thursday 5 March 2009 from 10.00 till 12 noon and there's a chance to meet some of the Essex authors and Reading and Writing Group members. There are activities, quizzes and prizes to be won - and a chance to take part in the instant story created on the day specially for the Festival, so do come and meet us all.

Programmes are now available in Essex Libraries. Any queries? email answers.direct@essex.gov.uk