Organisers say preparations are well under way for the first ever Felixstowe Book Festival next month – and are hoping the event will appeal to people of all ages.

Tickets are on sale for a variety of events, with around 40 writers taking part in a series of activities to help would-be authors, and entertain readers and those with a passion for the written word.

The event is set to take place on June 15 and 16 and has the theme A Sense of Place with writers featured having a strong evocation of place within their work.

The Orwell Hotel, Felixstowe Library, Write the Blurb Bookshop, The White Horse pub and Landguard Fort will be among the venues.

Volunteer co-ordinator Louise Denyer said the aim had been to create a diverse and interesting programme for adults, teenagers and children.

She said: “People will be able to attend events where they will learn more about specific books and genres such as crime fiction as well as the writers themselves, and ‘literary bootcamps, workshops run by professionals willing to share some useful tips about getting your own work published and the pitfalls to watch out for.

“There will also be talks on journalism as a career, the art of blogging, poetry readings and a vintage tea party.

“The children’s events will be fun and interactive and will cater for a wide age range whilst Flotsam and Jetsam at Landguard Fort on Sunday, June 16 will be an event for all the family involving drama, art, music and probably a few ghosts!”

Among the writers taking part are award-winning novelist Ruth Dugdall, who works and lives in Felixstowe, biographer and historian Helen Rappaport, children’s and young adult writer Adele Geras, novelist Linda Gillard, historical novelist Barbara Erskine, Boris Starling, author of the Messiah series, and crime writer Michelle Spring.

Others appearing include Stuck-in-a-Book blogger Simon Thomas and Cressida Downing, who runs an editorial consultancy, who will be running a workshop on the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook and how to submit manuscripts for publication.

For more information on the programme and speakers, and to book tickets in advance, people can visit the website www.felixstowebookfestival.co.uk