Frome Lit Fest

Well, that was the most wonderful of closing events. What magic putting these two together. Max Porter interviewing Amy Jeffs about her incredible books Storyland and the soon-to-be released Wild - stretching into the corners of Amy's creations with his trademark curiosity and passion.

A true highlight was listening to Amy reading ancient texts in their original tongue. It was so beautiful it made the hairs on my arms stand up.

Thank you Max, for such a great job as chair and to you both for your supportive and lovely words about Frome Lit Fest.

We will be back!

Wild is out on 6th October and we can look forward to a new novel from Max Porter due for release in Spring 2023.

Every bit as fantastic as we knew he would be! What a warm and engaging speaker Alan Johnson is. His first visit to Frome - it won't be his last!

We have signed copies of One of Our Ministers is Missing and Late Train to Gipsy Hill in the shop, and a very limited number of his memoirs too.

I managed to get my Mum a couple of signed books and wax lyrical about our mutual love of the Beatles too. Result!

Now onwards to the Whalebone Theatre with ...

An exceptionally delicious start to Frome Lit Fest today, Celebrating Somerset's Bounty with James Crowden and Ned Palmer. The Cider/Cyder, cheese, and bread is all set up and ready to go! This could get a little boozy...

We have LONG known that Kim Sherwood is one class act, but it's great to see her getting her dues in today's Sunday Times. Double or Nothing is their thriller Book of the Month and for good reason. Kim is one hell of a writer and a great choice for the next official Bond author. 007 is in safe hands with Sherwood. Come and hear about writing Bond (and beyond) with Kim at the Merlin Theatre, Frome this coming Friday 23rd September from 5-6pm. Book tickets via the link in our bio or at fromelitfest.com

(Also, a big shout out to Kim's talented sister .sherwood for the fantastic portrait shots! What a talented family).

#007

Wow! What an amazing opening weekend we've had! Thank you all of you who have supported us so far. We've had some great audiences and looooong signing queues. And after a hiatus this Monday and Tuesday we're back for five more fantastic events. Get ready for the full run down, as there's some amazing things still open for booking...

Our final event of the day and I have never seen an illustrator move around so much! Martin Brown, illustrator of Horrible Histories, is full of beans and our young audience is full of (mad, crazy, weird and wonky) ideas. This has been a masterclass in the FUN of drawing. What an absolute superstar!!!

Our second event of the day, and a lovely relaxing change of gear as we take a gentle and super-fascinating stroll through the natural world. Ben H***e has been pointing out things to notice on a woodland walk, nature's wonders at the shore, and all the clues to look for to decide the world around us. He's like a Nature Detective! So interesting. And the young audience is giving him a real run for his money - there are some serious nature nuts here with some brilliant nature knowledge!

His books are stunning and make brilliant Christmas and birthday gifts to inspire young minds.

A packed crowd for Kristina and her simply INCREDIBLE show! It was so amazing seeing the excited little ones filing into the theatre and taking their seats. And there are furry, fluffy and bouncy things on stage! What a huge treat to start the day ☺️☺️☺️

Do you love Horrible Histories? Young and old have found such pleasure in this amazing series of books.

Join us today (Sunday 18th September) at 4pm for an hour at the Merlin Theatre for only £5 per person for anyone over 7, for 'Deadly Drawing with Martin Brown'.

Its going to so.much fun!

Book your tickets here:
http://www.merlintheatre.co.uk/whats-on/performances/horrible-histories-and-deadly-drawing-with-martin-brown/

A brilliant family event this morning in Frome!
Fun, laughter and celebrating the written word for anyone over 3!

Come along to The Museum of Marvellous Things with Kristina Stephenson

Date: Sunday 18th September
Time: 11am – 12pm
Venue: Merlin Theatre
Ticket Price: £5 (Adults & Children)
FAMILY EVENT! AGES 3+
http://www.merlintheatre.co.uk/whats-on/performances/the-museum-of-marvellous-things-with-kristina-stephenson/

Our second event for Frome Lit Fest, and we're with authors Andrew Miller and Keith Stuart as they talk about Andrew's latest novel The Slowworm's Song and the challenges and joys of writing and research... Another brilliantly warm and intimate event between two generous and contemplative authors. This has been a remarkable first day of events.

We still have 8 fabulous events to run. So if you're curious and haven't yet booked anything, take a peek at in our website www.fromelitfest.com

At a loose end this evening? Come to our event with Andrew Miller, Costa-Prize winning author of Pure. Andrew will be in conversation with fellow bestselling Frome author Keith Stuart (Boy Made of Blocks; Days of Wonder; The Frequency of Us) about his latest novel set in the aftermath of the troubles, The Slowworm's Song. We'll be at Frome Town Hall (doors at 7pm for a 7.30pm start). You can buy a ticket on the door or online at fromelitfest.com

Our first children's event today was completely magic! And we have THREE more events for kids on Sunday 18th (tomorrow!!!).

The two events at the Merlin (see below), and our event for young nature lovers at Frome Town Hall with Ben H***e from 2-3pm.

Book your tickets now: www.fromelitfest.com

For those following the comic story of the Capitalist Dystopia, here is the young artist's rendering of the Capitalist Blackhole. You can pay to journey through it, but it costs twice as much to come out as it does to go in 🤣🤣🤣 Some politically activist comic artists in Frome...

We are GO!!!! This morning we're Mega Robo Bro-ing with at ... We have three more fantastic kids events to come this weekend and tickets available for all three! Get booking on fromelitfest.com...

Sunday 18th

The Museum of Marvellous Things with Kristina Stephenson
11am-12noon
Merlin Theatre
Mayhem, magic and marvellous for little ones aged 3+

Discover Nature's Treasures with Ben H***e
2-3pm
Frome Town Hall
Come on a nature trek without even leaving your seat! For children aged 7+

Horrible Histories and Deadly Drawing with Martin Brown
4-5pm
If you like your history with the gory bits left in, come along to this fun event. Don't forget the bring a pencil and paper for drawing along. For children aged 7+

We are just about to leap into our first Frome Lit Fest event with and we're all full up and ready to go!!!!

We are so disappointed to announce the following cancellations... Big apologies to anyone who turns up in hopes of bagging tickets on the door and that we did not manage to get this announcement out sooner.

Memories of the Pink Palace with Jill Nalder (Friday 16th @ Merlin Theatre)

Running Away with the Circus with Ols Halas (Friday 16th @ Merlin Theatre)

Circus of Wonders with Elizabeth Macneal (Saturday 17th @ Merlin Theatre)

The Draw of the Sea with Wyl Menmuir (Sunday 18th @ Frome Town Hall)

The Generous Gardener with Caroline Donald (Monday 19th @ Merlin Theatre)

Swamp Songs with Tom Blass (Friday 23rd @ Merlin Theatre)

Thank you so very much to the authors who had agreed to give up their time and travel down to see us. We hope we get to see you all in action in Frome in the near future.

The other ten events are still open for booking. We will follow up shortly with a full run down of the exciting things there's still time to see...

🤩The Slowworm’s Song with Andrew Miller🤩
⭐️Costa Award-winning author Andrew Miller (Pure, The Crossing, Now We Shall Be Entirely Free) talks about his latest novel, The Slowworm’s Song.⭐️
🦋Described by the Guardian as ‘bolder and more exquisitely menacing than anything he’s done before’, The Slowworm’s Song follows Stephen Rose - former soldier and recovering alcoholic - as he escapes The Troubles (and his own), returning to the Somerset of his youth. But can Stephen outrun his guilt and his past?
🦋Andrew Miller lives in a village near Frome, and is one of this country’s finest authors truly at the top of his game.
🏷EVENT DETAILS🏷
🏷Frome Town Hall
🏷Saturday 17th September
🏷7.30-8.30pm
🏷£10
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/Merlin-Theatre-Trust-Ltd/t-eaaqmga

If you're down at the Frome Independent today, come and have a chat with the lovely Nicki and Iona and find out all about the Frome Lit Fest which launches in just under two weeks.

There are 16 fabulous events in all across the 8 days. So grab a brochure, pop into cafe la strada for a top notch coffee, and get circling those events you want to see!

You can book online at www.fromelitfest.com, via the Merlin Theatre website www.merlintheatre.co.uk, or by calling the Merlin Theatre Box Office 01373 465949 (10-12 Mon-Fri).

🤡Circus of Wonders with Elizabeth Macneal🤡
We are very lucky to have scooped the brilliantly talented author of the Sunday Times bestselling novel The Doll Factory, to talk about her latest book Circus of Wonders.
⭐️With its lush Victorian settings and characters that you instantly fall in love🥰 with, Circus of Wonders is glittering, spectacular, deliciously vivid and thrilling. As one fan puts it, 'The author engages all our senses to explore illusion versus reality, keeps us on a tightrope of emotions and presents us with a truly dazzling show…'
💥EVENT DETAILS💥
💥 Merlin Theatre
💥Saturday 17th September
💥5-6pm
💥£10
http://www.merlintheatre.co.uk/whats-on/performances/circus-of-wonders-with-elizabeth-macneal/

🥳‘Mega Robo Bros’ Workshop with The Phoenix Comics’ Neill Cameron🥳
Absolutely TOP of our list was a workshop with one of the amazingly talented comic artists from The Phoenix Comics' stable. Our young readers go totally NUTS for The Phoenix.🎀
So we are unbelievably excited to be welcoming Neill Cameron for this interactive workshop where he will share the secrets of his award-winning graphic novel series Mega Robo Bros. Kids (from around 7 years+) can come and get all the tips they need to write and draw their very own mega awesome comics!🪄
They'll get to create their own characters with Neill’s help, and then draw a comic about them!
Remember to bring something to draw on and a pencil or pen.
🥳EVENT DETAIL🥳
🎈Frome Town Hall
🎈Saturday 17th September
🎈1-2.30pm
🎈£5
(Please note, kids must be accompanied by a paying adult).
http://www.merlintheatre.co.uk/whats-on/performances/mega-robo-bros-workshop-with-the-phoenix-comics-neill-cameron/

We are so proud to have the support of the community to bring this festival to Frome. Thank you everyone!

🔮Running Away with the Circus with Ols Halas🔮
🎀Have you ever dreamt of running away with the circus? Ols Halas did just that.🎀
🎉Ols talks about how he came to create the pop-up Circus Sauce kitchen and became part of the award-winning and much-loved Giffords Circus. From stories about troupe life, to recipes and tips on foraging, Ols will be in conversation with Gill McLay who worked alongside Giffords' late founder, Nell, on her own writing.🎉
🎈EVENT DETAILS🎈
🎈Merlin Theatre
🎈Friday 16th September
🎈7.30-8.30pm
🎈£10
http://www.merlintheatre.co.uk/whats-on/performances/running-away-with-the-circus-with-ols-halas/

⭐️⭐️⭐️We are on Instagram too!⭐️⭐️⭐️
🤡Make sure you like & follow us there.🙋‍♀️

Frome Lit Fest (@fromelitfest) • Instagram photos and videos

⭐️Memories of the Pink Palace with Jill Nalder⭐️
Kicking off our festival with a true life story - and what a life! Jill Nalder was the inspiration behind Jill Baxter's character in Russell T. Davies' Channel 4 hit It’s A Sin. Hear her talk about her moving memoir, Love From The Pink Palace, in which she tells the true story of her life during the AIDS crisis, and the friends and colleagues, doctors and nurses, activists and fundraisers she met along the way - many of whom were young, talented gay men whose lives were cut tragically short.
🌟This is an opener NOT to be missed.🌟
🌺EVENT DETAILS🌺
🌺Merlin Theatre
🌺Friday 16th September
🌺5-6pm
🌺£10
bit.ly/FLFJillNalder

🥳How exciting! 🥳
⭐️This year’s festival – our first – is bubbling over with big ideas, big dreams, big journeys, and simply brilliant books📖. We are going 'beyond the book' from 💥Friday 16th to Friday 23rd September💥 Join us to explore the things that fascinate you: nature🦋, art🎨, theatre 🎭, life 🌻, and the issues of our time ⌚️– with lashings of escapism, fantasy and fun thrown in for good measure.
We are proud to be supported by our festival bookseller, 📖Winstone’s Hunting Raven Books with our brilliant 🔥Tina Gaisford-Waller🔥 at the helm!
**WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE INFO SOON!**