Trust me to get my timing all wrong. At long last my play, Antarctica, is performed again, and where am I? No, not in the theatre. It was chosen for the final night of The Playhouse Theatre's One-Act Play Festival in Northampton, which featured nine plays altogether. Apparently, it was very well-received and the team involved in the performance enjoyed it, and that's the main thing. As it's been recorded, I will eventually be able to see it for myself, even if I missed out on the atmosphere of the night.
    Something else I missed was Delapré Abbey's book festival, which ran throughout the late May Bank Holiday weekend. Writers of many genres gave talks, workshops and readings, which I'm sure made it fascinating for anyone involved in the production, sale or consumption of books. I hope this is going to be an annual event, and that next year I'll be able to take part in some way, even if it's only making up part of the audience.
    Delapré's festival clashed with the biggie at Hay-on-Wye, but this is the season for festivals, so it's hard to avoid clashing with someone. Here's a round-up of a few others that are within striking distance of me, but will be well worth a look even if you have to travel a little further.

* Kibworth Book Festival - Leicestershire - throughout June
* Buckingham Literary Festival - The Radcliffe Centre, Buckingham - 14th - 17th June
* Greenwich Book Festival - Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich - 15th and 16th June
* BeaconLit - The Beacon Villages Festival of Books and Writing - Brookmead School, High Street, Ivinghoe, Bucks - 14th July
* Latitude - Henham Park, Suffolk - 12th - 15th July
* Cliveden Literary Festival - Cliveden House, Bucks - 29th and 30th September
* Althorp Literary Festival - The Stables, Althorp House, Northampton - 5th - 7th October