THE first Shute Festival of Literature and Landscape has confirmed an exciting line-up of speakers for its inaugural weekend.

Authors joining the festival include bestselling children’s writer Laurence Anholt, who will speak about his new young adult novel, The Hypnotist. Published this month, it’s already storming the bestseller charts.

Running on October 29 and 30 at St Michael’s Church and Shute Primary School in Shute, near Axminster, the festival was established to celebrate writing, film-making, exploration and landscape – whether local, global, physical or metaphysical.

The festival brings together a diverse and inspirational group of writers and broadcasters – including botanists, biographers, explorers, documentary makers, historians, poets, travel and garden specialists, and crime and thriller writers.

Travel writer Hilary Bradt will be speaking at the festival fresh from visits to North Korea and Madagascar.

Panelists will talk, present films, lead workshops, debate, and answer questions.Diana Darke, Arabist and BBC From Our Own Correspondent, will talk about the house she bought and restored in Damascus, as well as the wider conflict.

Andrew Lownie, literary agent and author, will be discussing his book Stalin’s Englishman: The Lives of Guy Burgess while prominent botanist, ecologist and Eden Project Scientific director Sir Ghillean Prance will talk about his many trips down the Amazon in search of the world’s rarest plantlife. Costa-nominated poet Greta Stoddart will be reading from her beautiful third book, Alive Alive O.

In addition to book talks, the festival is hosting three short film screenings with discussions with directors. Film workshops, bush craft and art workshops for children will fill the days too.

Profits will go towards Shute Community Primary School Grounds Campaign and the building and repairs of St Michael’s Church, Shute.

n Shute Festival of Literature and Landscape, on October 29 and 30 at St Michael’s Church and Shute Primary School.

Tickets are available from the festival website, shutefest.org.uk and from Hurford Stores in Kilmington and Archway Books in Axminster.