Seven Blake Friedmann authors (as well as agent and poet Isobel Dixon) will be appearing at the fourth Franschhoek Literary Festival this weekend, 14-16 May 2010.  The festival, described as 'a street-party for those who write, read, review, publish - or simply love books', aims to promote reading and writing in South Africa.

Imraan Coovadia, Isobel Dixon, Mike van Graan, Michiel Heyns, Deon Meyer, Margie Orford, Ivan Vladislavic and Marita van der Vyver are among a star-studded list of authors featuring at events at the Franschhoek Literary Festival over this weekend, 14-16 May 2010.  Set in Franschhoek village centre, the festival hosts authors and publishers from across South Africa and around the world, gathering to promote literature and reading in South Africa.

The opening day will see Michiel Heyns and Deon Meyer joining BEHIND EVERY SUCCESSFUL MAN author Zukiswa Wanner to discuss how their life experiences are reflected in their writing and how their novels reflect on them. Also on Friday, Imraan Coovadia will appear on a panel discussing the future of South Africa, and Sunday Times fiction prize-winner Ivan Vladislavić will be alongside Booker shortlisted author Damon Galgut to discuss their work with UK publisher Toby Mundy. Following these events Mike van Graan will be launching the play scripts of GREEN MAN FLASHING and IAGO'S LAST DANCE, and screening excerpts from the plays, introduced by Imraan Coovadia.

Saturday's programme opens with Muriel Barbery, French author of THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG in conversation with Marita van der Vyver, who lives in France, about Barbery's writing project in Japan and her new book GOURMET RHAPSODY. This is followed by Deon Meyer in conversation with Michiel Heyns about his life, his work and the skill of depicting a complex country via its underworld. Imraan Coovadia will speak on the unexpected aspects of being a novelist. Isobel Dixon and literary scout Rebecca Servadio will discuss the work of literary agents and how the publishing industry works. DADDY'S GIRL author Margie Orford talks about the ultimate crime taboo with Angela Makholwa (RED INK) and Sue Rabie (BLOOD AT BAY). One of the afternoon's final events will feature three debut authors - Aher Arop Bol (THE LOST BOY), Marida Fitzpatrick (LEMAND VIR'N SCOOP) and Adam Schwartzman (EDDIE SIGNWRITER) - talking to Isobel Dixon about the difficulties of getting their work published and the reception of their first words in print before Ivan Vladislavić, in his other role as an editor, joins a panel to examine the art of getting the best out of manuscripts. 

Blake Friedmann interest is again high on the closing day of the fair with Michiel Heyns and fellow reviewers discussing the state of literary reviewing in South Africa, Isobel Dixon reading from her poetry collection A FOLD IN THE MAP and new work, and Margie Orford chairing a discussion featuring Deon Meyer on whether different countries have different types of crime writers. Later on Sunday Mike van Graan will host what promises to be a lively discussion on how to laugh at yourself, and in one of the final events of the fair Marita van der Vyver will be on a panel discussing word of mouth and the impact of personal recommendations and book club discussions on the tough world of book marketing.

More information on the Franschhoek Literary Festival can be found here, with the full schedule available here.

And for more information on Franschhoek, its wine, accommodation and how to get there see here.