We are delighted to shout far and wide about some very special guests at this year’s Yeovil Literary Festival. With our #QueerAllYear campaign in mind, we couldn’t help but share the news of a couple of the key speakers coming to Yeovil to share their books with us in just a couple of weeks time.

On Saturday 30th October, at 12 noon, Juno Dawson is coming to the Johnson Studio space at the Octagon Theatre with her brand new book Stay Another Day. Unapologetically bold and razor-sharp – you’ll know a Juno Dawson novel from the very first line. A bestselling novelist, screenwriter, journalist, and a columnist for Attitude Magazine, her writing has appeared in Glamour, Dazed, Grazia and the Guardian. She’s also a School Role Model for the charity Stonewall.

Juno’s critically acclaimed novels include the London Collection: Clean, Wonderland and Meat Market, and non-fiction titles This Book Is Gay and What’s The T? Her new book Stay Another Day is a Christmas story with a Juno-twist, full of delicious dark family secrets, unexpected romances, lots of drama and a dash of Christmas spirit! It’s recommended for ages 12 and above. To book tickets to see Juno Dawson click here.

Then on Monday 1st November at 8pm, the Octagon Auditorium welcomes Bestselling author and LGBT activist Armistead Maupin. We love Armistead’s attitude which ties in with our commitment to model visibility and pride as part of the LGBT+ community all year round. We couldn’t agree more with this quote: “The world changes in direct proportion to the number of people willing to be honest about their lives.

He has been blazing a trail through US popular culture since the 1970s, when his iconic and ground-breaking series Tales of the City was first published as a column in the San Francisco Chronicle. Don’t miss your chance to join America’s ultimate storyteller, as he recounts his favourite tales from the past four decades, offering his own engaging observations on society and the world we inhabit. To book tickets to see Armistead Maupin click here.

Some of the YDP committee members already have tickets to see these amazing LGBT+ authors – and some of the other brilliant writers coming to our town. If you happen to spot us in our green hoodies, do stop and say hi!