Ode to Autumn

With the Literature Festival just weeks away, our PR Manager Amy Hulyer tells us why it's the perfect time of year for a literary celebration.

Our Festival flags basking
in Autumnal sun

The kitchen here at Festival HQ is overflowing with goodies from colleagues returning from exotic summer holidays, a brand new school year has begun, and I have just tripped over the first conker of the season on the way out for lunch. All of this can mean only one thing – we’re on the cusp of Autumn.

Now, I know I’m in the minority here, but I absolutely LOVE Autumn. It’s the season of brand new pencil cases and crisp leaves underfoot, of snuggly jumpers and knee high boots, of warm golden light and cosy nights in. It’s always been my favourite time of the year, and these days I have one even bigger reason to love it – it means the Literature Festival can’t be far away.

As the season changes signs of the festival are suddenly everywhere. After months of embargoed programmes and whispered confirmations of the latest names to join the line-up, our full programme has now been released into the world and our festival speakers are popping up everywhere. In the last few days alone Jonathan Ross, Jarvis Cocker, Alistair Darling, David Walliams and Larry Lamb have all been making the headlines, and the first tantalising glimpses of Downton Abbey and Strictly Come Dancing are creeping onto our screens.

In just five weeks time the festival will be in full swing. The writers’ room will be buzzing, the Carte Noire coffee will be free-flowing, and I dread to think how many Bonne Maman delicacies I will have already devoured. The next few weeks will be full of terrifying and thrilling moments in equal measure but I absolutely can't wait. The crisp days of October remain the highlight of my year.

Now, where's my coat...

Amy Hulyer
Press and PR Manager