A new artistic director has been appointed for the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival.
Kate Abbey, who has worked as a literature festival programmer since 2016, has been chosen to step into the role for the five-day festival.
The festival team said Ms Abbey's "extensive background in arts leadership and literature" will help her to enhance the festival's reputation as one of the region's leading literary events.
Ms Abbey's most recent role was head of programming and creative content at Bath Festivals, where she was in charge of the artistic direction of the Bath Festival and the Bath Children's Literature Festival.
In November 2023, Ms Abbey, along with two ex-festival colleagues, set up Bath Arts Collective, a community interest company focused on developing a vibrant arts and culture scene across Bath and other areas.
Ms Abbey takes over from Annie Ashworth, who directed the programming of the Budleigh festival for the last seven years.
Ms Ashworth will continue to direct the Stratford Literary Festival, which she founded in 2008.
Ms Abbey said: "I've lived and breathed book festivals for close to a decade now and seen the power and joy that comes with connecting through writing and conversations.
"I'm delighted to take on this role and continue Annie Ashworth's brilliant work as well as getting to collaborate with the festival’s president Cathy Rentzenbrink and the whole Budleigh team.
"I hope to showcase amazing, established and new writers, amplify underrepresented voices, support local creatives and ensure inclusive experiences for the whole community."
Festival chair Sue Briggs said: "We’re delighted to welcome Kate Abbey as our new artistic director.
"She brings with her a wealth of experience and a deep passion for literature, having demonstrated remarkable vision and leadership in her previous roles.
"We are excited about the ideas and perspectives she will bring to our festival as we continue to build on the wonderful work of our former artistic director Annie Ashworth and grow and strengthen our position as one of the region’s most popular literary events."
Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival is now an annual highlight for book lovers in the region and beyond.
It recently welcomed authors including Jonathan Dimbleby, Sarah Rainsford, Carol Klein, and Rick Stein to its five-day festival this September.
Its next event is its Spring Weekend on March 7 and 8, with the main festival taking place from September 17 to 21, 2025.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here