The Dorchester Literary Festival: 13 Years of Bringing the World's Writers to Our Doorstep
Updated: Oct 15
The 13th Dorchester Literary Festival runs 17–24 October. We spoke with festival director Janet Gleeson about how it began, what makes it special, and why Poundbury readers are such a valued audience.
It started, as many good things do, on a journey. Janet Gleeson — local writer, arts professional, and Antiques Roadshow team member — was travelling to a book festival with a fellow local writer. Somewhere on the road, the conversation turned to Dorchester: it had no literary festival. Waterstones was keen for one. They both had contacts in the publishing world. "We just plunged in," Janet says. That was 2014. Twelve festivals and hundreds of remarkable writers later, it's become one of the South West's most admired literary events.
The art of the shopping list
Each January, Janet and her husband and co-organiser Paul travel to London to meet publicists at the major publishing houses. They explain what the Dorchester audience is like, what kinds of books resonate, and together they build what Janet calls a shopping list of writers and titles for the coming October.
"It's not like picking apples from a tree," she says. "It's quite competitive." The most in-demand authors have more invitations than they can accept. But the Dorchester Literary Festival has built a strong reputation, partly through Janet's publishing connections, and partly because authors simply enjoy coming. They like the local hotels. They like being looked after. The Duchess of Cornwall Inn and the Kings Arms get consistently warm reviews. "Their feedback is very positive," Janet says. Word gets around.
Something for everyone
What sets Dorchester apart from other festivals in the region — Yeovil, Bridport, Wells — is partly timing and partly philosophy. October is when authors want to tour. It's when publishers push new titles. And it's when readers start thinking about books again after the summer. But the bigger differentiator is breadth. The Dorchester Literary Festival's guiding principle has always been to offer something for every taste, not just literary fiction, not just history or travel, but a genuinely wide range so that every member of the audience can find at least one event for their taste.
Credit: Dorchester Literary Festival
This year's programme brings together celebrated writers, broadcasters, historians, politicians and performers across subjects including history, memoir, politics, fiction, nature, health, fashion, adventure, poetry and wild swimming. Alongside headline events at the Dorford Centre, Dorset there's the popular Wessex Writers Literary Walk with Mark Chutter — local teacher and Chair of the Thomas Hardy Society — who Janet describes as a beautiful poetry reader. "People absolutely love that event." The Dorchester Book Fair at the Corn Exchange on Saturday 24 October rounds out the week.
Credit: Dorchester Literary Festival
Poundbury is a core audience and support
Poundbury residents are one of DLF's core audiences, returning year after year and signing up as Festival Friends, which are essential for the running of the festival. And Poundbury-based businesses are among its most loyal supporters, including Agincare, Wessex Private GP, Hall & Woodhouse/Duchess of Cornwall Inn, Poundbury Garden Centre, and Porter Dodson.
Dorchester's literary heritage runs deep and feeds directly into what the festival is trying to do. The Hardy connection is obvious, but the town has always attracted writers and creative people, and the historic location and its character give visitors something extra. "It's a great way to meet fantastic writers," Janet says, "and a great way to be part of something that contributes to Dorchester."
The festival is powered by volunteers, a loyal core who return year after year, coordinated brilliantly by Rosie Johnson, alongside fresh recruits from Thomas Hardye School and Wey Valley Academy in Weymouth, which has no festival of its own. If you'd like to get involved in future years, please email contact@dorchesterliteraryfestival.com
Come even if you haven't got a ticket
Some events are already sold out, but don't let that put you off. It's always worth arriving on the day as places often become available when some ticket holders don't show. For events that still have tickets, book promptly at dorchesterliteraryfestival.com.
Looking to the future
Janet and Paul are proud of what they've built—and thinking about its future. They want to ensure the festival can grow and continue long after them, cementing Dorchester as a destination for literary culture. Thirteen years in, they've more than earned that ambition. The most common audience reaction, Janet says, is simply: "Wasn't that great? I'll come again next year."
Please check out the full event programme at dorchesterliteraryfestival.com.
For more events locally, visit our Whatson page and Discover Dorchester.