here were events for all the family. Naomi enjoyed presentations by Madhur Jaffery, Mark Billingham and Tess Geritson, while the kids were particularly impressed by Anthony Browne (Creator of Willy the chimp) and Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl and Hitch-hikers Guide). Eoin's performance was more stand-up comic than writer and a very funny highlight of the weekend. If ever you get a chance please go and see him.
I took in sessions with Tony Parsons, Lynn Truss and lionel Shriver, but my favourite event was a Masterclass with Mark Billingham. I'm not a crime writer, but I am always keen to find out more about the craft, and one could do worse than learn about hooks and plot structure from a novelist of Mark's stature. And he didn't let his audience down. His pragmatism and down to earth approach particularly impressed me.
On Friday evening Naomi and I headed for the bar and the festival pub quiz. Here the authors were out in force, enjoying the crack and a few jars. Naomi and I finished creditably mid table.