Literary Festivals offer readers the opportunity to become part of the writers' world; engaging in debate, meeting other book enthusiasts and hearing what authors have to say about the business of writing. They range from small, locally-organised activities to internationally-renowned celebrations of the written and spoken word, and Waterstone's is represented at many of them around the UK.

Guests at festivals range from Nobel laureates to the politicians and thinkers who shape our social and cultural landscape; while children's authors and illustrators sit alongside comedians and poets. Come and talk to our booksellers when you see them at the festivals to discover the buzz around authors new and established; you'll be sure to make some brilliant discoveries.

Listed below are some of the biggest and best literary forthcoming festivals taking place around the UK over the next few months, including comprehensive event and booking details, and some great offers on books by festival authors, as well as retrospective details of some recent festivals.

Cheltenham Literature Festival - (9th - 18th October, 2009)

After another record-breaking Literature Festival in 2008, with over 450 authors participating in more than 350 events, attracting an audience of 100,000, we are now looking forward to celebrate The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival's 60th anniversary with you!

Read more about this year's Cheltenham Literature Festival on our Cheltenham Literature Festival page.

Bath Festival of Children's Literature - (18th - 27th September, 2009)

This year's festival is amazing! Again! We've got some of the best and brilliant authors, poets, illustrators and storytellers in the land coming to Bath to entertain you. There are lots of events throughout the week - for babies, the very youngest book fans, emerging book fans, confident readers, voracious readers, book hoarders and teenagers too.

Read more about this year's Bath Festival of Children's Literature on our Bath Festival of Children's Literature page

SW11 Literary Festival - (7th - 30th September, 2009)

We're delighted to present you with this year's programme. Over the three weeks from the 7th to 30th September, you will have the opportunity to engage first hand with novelists, historians, poets, translators, screenwriters, journalists, essayists, and thinkers.

Read more about this year's SW11 Literary Festival on our SW11 Literary Festival page

2008 festivals:

Aye Write! Festival - (7th March - 15th March)

Bath Literature Festival - (23rd February - 3rd March)

Theakston Crime Writing Festival - (17th - 20th July)

Ways With Words (Dartington) - (11th - 20th July)

Bath Festival of Children's Literature - (19th - 28th September)