A celebration of literature (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

A celebration of literature

10:55am Thursday 16th September 2010 in Book Reviews

You've read the books, now you can hear from the authors themselves.

The Hampstead & Highgate Literary Festival, which runs for three days from Sunday at the LJCC in Golders Green, brings together well-known actors, broadcasters, playwrights and novelists, who will discuss their careers and their contributions to literature.

There will also be a number of other activities taking place, such as walks and workshops taking place.

On Sunday, restaurant critic and columnist Giles Coren will be in conversation with author Guy Walters.

Ron Moody, well known for his portrayal of Fagin in Oliver!, will reveal the twists and turns of his career, and talk about the people he has met and worked with. His memoir, A Still Untitled, Not Quite Autobiography will be published next week.

You can take a walk through Golders Hill Park, including the Hill Garden and Pergola, with prizewinning gardener Dr Catherine Howard.

Lynda Bellingham will talk about her biography, Lost and Found: My Story, while actor and best selling author Simon Callow will outline his new book, My Life in Pieces.

Steven Berkoff will discuss his new memoir, Diary of a Juvenile Delinquent, a book about his early life and career.

On Monday, Fiona Millar will be in conversation with Professor Tanya Byron, in an event entitled Juggling Work, Kids and Sanity, while Martin Amis will talk about his latest novel, The Pregnant Widow.

In The Ten Minute Playwriting Workshop, Alex Broun will show how you can write your own ten-minute play - a popular route into theatre for new writers.

On Tuesday, Jeffrey Archer will talk about his sixth volume of short stories, And Thereby Hangs a Tale, which features 15 new short stories and takes the reader on a journey across continents and decades.

Actor David Morrissey will be in conversation with Barnet author Mark Billingham. Morrissey is starring in the television adaptation of Billingham's Tom Thorne detective series of novels.

The festival takes place at the London Jewish Cultural Centre, Ivy House, North End Road, Golders Green. Full details: 020 8511 7900, www.hamhighlitfest.com