Each year in early summer the Literary Festival season begins.
As a reader or writer it is tempting to go along.
But if it is your first what should you expect? Festivals can be one or two day affairs or can last a week.
They are often held in venues with a literary connection, or failing that somewhere pleasant to visit.
Generally events will consist of talks by writers about their work.
There will be one or two superstars, quite a lot of writers who spend the summer doing a circuit of festivals and a few you will not know.
Most festivals have workshops led by a writer or teacher.
As well as workshops in fiction, non-fiction and poetry they may also have those dealing with such matters as writing for radio and TV or getting published.
The format of a talk is usually an introduction by the chairman, a reading of the author's new book, time for questions and the option of buying the book, usually signed, at the end of the talk.
I would advise you to sit at the end of a row in order to slip out quietly before questions.
The reason for this is that literary festivals tend to attract more than their fair share of people who are slightly mad.
There seems to be a law which ensures that these are the ones who ask the questions.
It is better to be first in the coffee room rather than watch your favourite author and everybody else being confused and embarrassed by questions from the floor.
You can always wander back if you really want a signed copy of the book.
Many people enjoy workshops at festivals.
I have mixed feelings about them.
What you really need to improve your writing is a series of workshops over a few weeks or months run by the same person.
A day at a festival workshop will give you a few tips and perhaps something to think about, but not a great deal more.
But you will meet interesting people and if you particularly admire a writer who is running a workshop it is worth taking part.
Workshops about getting published or finding an agent can be useful and will teach you how to write query letters and other essential things needed to get your book on the shelves.
Workshops can be daunting, but nobody is going to publicly sneer at your work and there will be other people there who are as you new to them as you are.
So do not worry, just look at what is available, decide what is needed to help you progress your writing career and sign on.
Children can enjoy festivals as much as adults.
There will be readings for kids and the chance to meet a favourite author.
They can have a lot of fun and become lifelong readers or writers in the process.
There is a lot to be said for festivals.
Do go along and see for yourself.