A CELEBRATION of authors with personal and literary links with Wales and the Welsh border is staged at Gregynog Hall, Tregynon, as the second annual Monty Lit Fest weekend gets under way on Friday, June 14.

Following the success of the first Montgomeryshire Literary Festival held at Bodfach Hall, Llanfyllin, last June, the festival returns at a new venue for 2019.

The stellar lineup of leading authors includes Horatio Clare, Clare Mackintosh, Myfanwy Alexander and Trevor Fishlock.

Hear Sir Simon Jenkins’ often controversial views on Welsh architecture in his talk at 7pm on Friday, after the opening session on Contemporary Writing in Welsh led by Myfanwy Alexander, at 6pm.

Find out how Mid Wales has inspired, and continues to inspire authors with Myfanwy Alexander, Tom Bullough and Horatio Clare at 10am this Saturday.

It is followed at 11am with Tom’s own talk on the history, joys and challenges of writing fiction set in Powys with readings from his ‘Addlands’ novel and his new novel-in-progress ‘A Bird is Born Twice’.

Elizabeth Garner tells how a Welsh valley helped inspire the creation of her father Alan Garner’s iconic novel ‘The Owl Service’ 50 years ago, at 2pm.

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Elizabeth returns on Sunday at 11am for a panel discussion exploring how a sense of place is captured, evoked and represented in writing, with Robert Harvey, George Westrapp and festival founder Simon Baynes.

Other events will include a lunchtime concert by the local international harpist David Watkins at 1pm, and a Celebration of Gregynog Hall, its history and gardens, with Trevor Fishlock and Prue Keely Davies at 6pm on Saturday.

Online ticket sales and full programme details - including the programme for children - are available via the festival’s website: www.montylitfest.com.