A PRODUCER famed for securing BBC Newsnight’s Prince Andrew interview has joined the Jersey Festival of Words line-up.
Samantha McAlister is the latest author to be announced for the ninth Festival of Words, which will take place between 20 and 29 September across several venues in St Helier.
Ms McAlister is the author of the 2022 book Scoops, which charts how she clinched many of Newsnight’s exclusive interviews over the past decade, including former porn star Stormy Daniels, ex-White House press secretary Sean Spicer, Steven Seagal, Julian Assange and Prince Andrew in 2019. She was portrayed by Billie Piper when the now infamous interview with the prince was recently adapted into a smash-hit Netflix film.
Festival of Words organisers also announced that comedic writer and presenter Kathy Lette will be attending to discuss her new novel, The Revenge Club – a wicked tale of four scorned women and one perfect plan.
Journalist Chris Stokel-Walker will be charting AI’s Cold War origins and what the future of technology looks like in his new book How AI Ate the World, while poet and former Scottish laureate Jackie Kay will be presenting an evening of readings from her upcoming anthology May Day.
The writers will join broadcaster and former children’s laureate Michael Rosen – author of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – who was announced as a headliner last month.
Festival director Pippa Le Quesne said she was “thrilled” with the “richness of perspectives and range of topics covered by our line-up of speakers this year”.
She added: “From current affairs to comedy, technology to protest poetry, our diverse array of voices promises to inspire and challenge our audience throughout the Festival.”
Last year’s festival was heralded as its “best yet”, with headline guests Dame Sheila Hancock, Michael Morpurgo and Simon Armitage delighting sold-out audiences.
This September, the Island’s annual celebration of the written word will feature over 60 events, from a diverse range of writers, including established authors, emerging talents and workshops, readings, discussions and performances.
Events will be held at the Freedom Centre, the Arts Centre, the Jersey Library and other local venues, including the Blue Note Bar.
The main festival corporate sponsor is HIGHVERN, with additional festival funding from the government and other local sponsors.
Details of further events will be released soon, and more information can be found at jerseyfestivalofwords.org.
