A new literary festival bringing together novelists, historians, poets and writing professionals will launch in Lincolnshire over the August bank holiday weekend.

The inaugural Boutique Literary Festival at Three Kings Organic in Threekingham will offer two days of author talks, readings, panel discussions, poetry and creative writing workshops on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August.

Among the topical issues being explored will be climate change, artificial intelligence and the role fiction can play in helping readers understand a rapidly changing world.

Lincoln novelist and university lecturer Dr Amy Lilwall, author of The Waters May Come, will join Sleaford-based journalist and author Clive Simpson, whose climate thriller Flood Waters Down is set in a near-future Lincolnshire.

placeholder image — Dee Murray, of Three Kings Organic.

Chaired by broadcaster and author Jo Major, their discussion will examine how stories can bring some of today's biggest challenges to life, connecting with readers in ways facts and statistics sometimes cannot.

The programme ranges from Lincolnshire social history and medieval women to children's fiction, poetry and the craft of writing, with authors and experts from across the region and beyond taking part.

Three Kings Organic owner Dee Murray said the aim was to make this an informal event where readers and writers could meet and exchange ideas.

"We want to create a festival where people can ask questions, exchange ideas and enjoy the conversations behind the books," she said.

"Stories have always helped us make sense of the world, and that feels more important now than ever."

Organisers hope the free, two-day festival will become an annual event showcasing Lincolnshire's growing literary community.

Among those appearing are historian Adrian Gray, bestselling medieval historian Sharon Bennett Connolly and award-winning Venezuelan novelist Sherezade García Rangel.

There will also be creative writing workshops led by editor Sarah Ridding and novelist Amy Lilwall, poetry readings from Jenny and Mel Oyston, and an author panel discussing The Joy of Writing.

A Children's Corner on Sunday afternoon will feature Andy Evans, a playwright, academic and puppeteer whose children's novel The Nudgers was published this year.

Visitors will be able to browse books by participating authors, attend book signings and enjoy refreshments throughout the weekend in the relaxed surroundings of Three Kings Organic.

Dee said the emphasis throughout the weekend would be on celebrating the human creativity and experience behind books.

"At heart, this weekend is about imagination, ideas and the pleasure of discovering books together," she said.

"We want people to meet writers, hear the stories behind their work and perhaps discover something they would never otherwise have picked up."

The Boutique Literary Festival Weekend takes place from 12noon to 8pm on Saturday August 29 and 12 noon to 6pm on Sunday August 30 at Three Kings Organic, Threekingham, near Sleaford.

Admission is free and visitors can drop in at any time. Books will be available to buy and have signed by participating authors, with breakfasts, lunches, coffee and cakes, etc available to purchase served in the cafe area.

Full programme details are available online at Three Kings Organic: https://www.threekingsorganic.com/