Monty Lit Festival has launched a series of new competitions before it kicks off next month.

Organisers of the Montgomery-based festival have said the festival is a great chance “if you’ve ever wanted to meet your favourite author – or find a new one”.

To celebrate, the festival is handing out passes to those who can say on social media why they love the festival.

Those entering can do so via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, tagging @montylitfest and using the hashtag #inspire or #ysbrydoli.

Two further passes will be up for grabs for sixth form students who take part, so long as they are 16 or older.

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The festival is set to take place over the weekend of June 9-11 and will be celebrating writing from “Wales, the Borders and beyond”, bringing together a stellar line-up of literary talent for book-lovers to enjoy.

Festival co-chairman, Sarah Corser, said: “I can’t wait to hear from all the brilliant writers we’ve assembled for this year’s Monty Lit Fest. Whether you’re an avid reader, an aspiring writer or have never been to a literary festival before, we’d love you to join us.

"The whole community in Montgomery is ready to give everyone a friendly welcome for what promises to be a very special weekend.”

County Times: Former Welsh Rugby Union referee Nigel Owens.

The festival will see rugby legend, Nigel Owens talk about his autobiography, top crime and thriller writer, Clare Mackintosh as well as an opportunity to find out more about Frieda Hughes’s new book, George: A Magpie Memoir.

The event will also showcase local authors, including Machynlleth’s Mike Parker, Welshpool’s Rebecca Wragg Sykes, Ludlow’s Annie Garthwaite and Penrhyndeudraeth’s Siân Llywelyn.

County Times:

Other activities will include a workshop for aspiring writers and a series of sessions that explore the future of farming, nature and the rural communities. There will also be a poetry-themed art exhibition and children’s storytelling to street food and music and everything else that Montgomery has to offer.

Festival goers will be able to buy books from two bookshops: a pop-up festival shop run by Oswestry’s Booka, as well as Montgomery’s own Montgomery Bookshop.

Tickets are on sale online, or in-person from the Bookshop and the Ivy House Café in Montgomery. You can either buy tickets for individual sessions, or a season ticket for the whole weekend.