Top authors and writers are booked to appear at the first, of what is hoped to become, an annual, literary festival. The University of Buckingham will host the inaugural Buckingham Literary Festival on the campus in early July. Speakers include Louis de Bernieres, author of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin; historian, novelist and broadcaster Saul David; BBC television arts correspondent and author Will Gompertz; psychologist and author Oliver James; and historian Victor Sebesteyn. buckingham-logo Taking place over three days in the heart of the historic market town, from Friday July 1 through to Sunday July 3, it is hoped the event will reach out to visitors from Aylesbury, Banbury, Bicester, Brackley, Towcester and Milton Keynes. One of the festival organisers and manager of the Buckingham University Press Christopher Woodhead said: “We are enjoying the process of discovering the best books and authors for this festival and look forward to establishing this event in an area not already catered for by other literary festivals.” Buckingham Literary Festival is to welcome leading names in television, radio, journalism and the literary world to the Buckingham Literary Festival. Confirmed speakers and interviewers include: Louis de Bernieres, Saul David, Will Gompertz, Rebecca Fraser, Oliver James, Sharon Bolton, The Wimpy Kid Show, Rebecca Thornton, Sinclair McKay, Tim Lott, Benet Brandreth, Leigh Russell, Barry Forshaw, Victor Sebestyen, AJ Mackenzie, Oscar de Muriel, Mark Mills, Leigh Russell, Howard Linksey, Anthony Glees, Kate Griffin, Judith Allnatt, Tony Webster, Victoria Prentis, John Clarke. The festival is supported by the University of Buckingham, the Buckingham University Press and HMA Literary Agency. The University of Buckingham’s vice chancellor, political historian and commentator Sir Anthony Seldon will also speak at the event. Mike Bryan, who runs the HMA Literary Agency and is also one of the festival organisers, said: “We are all looking forward to bringing a really strong range of authors and events to the Buckingham and Milton Keynes area for this festival.We already have a great line up of authors and anticipate plenty more established and debut authors joining this list.” For more information about the event and to book tickets:visit www.bucklitfest.org