“There are so many Lionesses at Llangwmlitfest this year that is going to be roaringly good!” Discover the literary magic at Llangwm as the festival kicks off with celebrated authors and intriguing events from August 8 to 10.

Llangwm Literary Festival Director Michael Pugh is not talking about footballers, but rather about virtuosos of a literary kind who will talk about their writing at Llangwm’s small but delightful literary festival.

Does it seem strange to refer to writers as Lionesses? “Not necessarily,” contends Pugh; “for example, Janet Todd is giving a talk on Jane Austen, who famously referred to herself as a wild beast.”

Topping the bill on Friday is Neyland-born Sarah Waters with her award-winning thrillers set in Victorian times and hot on her heels is Angela John with her fascinating biography of Philip Burton. John also advised on the recently released Philip Burton film. Festival favourite Miranda Seymour is coming to talk about war-shocked Robert Graves and will share her insights of this incredible poet based on unique access to the family.

Llangwmlitfest’s Lionesses will also debunk myths and expose fake news thanks to the maverick investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr, and Lie Detectors’ founder, Juliane, working with young people on being media smart and devising a manifesto for the mobile phone.

Children are quite a focus of this year’s litfest as it prepares to welcome Gill Lewis and Beth Mackintosh for a session on storytelling and art, and the team from the Pembs Coast National Park with their mind-boggling biofluorescence dome. Nicola Davies is running an event for all the family on how to speak Whale.

Food is always a key theme at the litfest and spearheading the programme this year is Julia Horton-Mansfield with her forage on the Cleddau, and Angharad Underwood with an inspiring talk on how to turn a passion into an award-winning business. “Angharad has promised us home-made lemon curd,” tells Pugh.

“There’s a lot going on at St Jerome’s on Friday and Saturday too,” says Pugh, referring to the craft-making Lionesses led by pride matriarch Liz Tipping. “You can buy unique things, and Christmas is not that far away.”

But is that it? “Not at all! There will be plenty of litfest Lions too, including David Wilson, Jack Meggitt-Phillips, Ryan Spence, John Roach, Ben Aitken, Boo Hewerdine, Mark Lewis, Rhys Eynon and pride patriarch, Colin Thubron.”

The 2025 Llangwm Literary Festival takes place between August 8 and 10 in Llangwm, Pembrokeshire. For more information on the festival, contact [email protected], or visit the website: www.llangwmlitfest.co.uk