Kathy Lette first achieved succès de scandale as a teenager with the novel Puberty Blues. After several years as a newspaper columnist and television sitcom writer in America and Australia, she has written eleven international bestsellers including Mad Cows, How to Kill Your Husband (and other handy household hints) and To Love, Honour and Betray. Her novels have been published in fourteen languages around the world.

Kathy appears regularly as a guest on BBC Breakfast, and has her own column in Good Housekeeping.

Adele Parks has written nine Top Ten best sellers in nine years including Playing Away, Husbands and Love Lies. She's sold well over a million copies of her books in the UK alone and is translated into twenty-one different languages. Two of her novels have been optioned as movies. She writes articles and short stories for a number of magazines and newspapers.

This morning's host is Jim Pride. Jim has enjoyed 15 years creatively marketing books, films, music and video games and is currently an executive producer for TV and film adaptations of novels.

Photo of Kathy Lette copyright of Nicky Johnstone

Literary Lunch with Helen Rappaport
Time: 1.00 pm
Venue: The Crescent Hotel Scarborough
Running Time: 2.5 hours
Price: £18.50

Helen gave up acting to become a writer and historian and is a specialist on Russian History and 19th century women's history. Her great passion being to winkle out lost stories from the footnotes and to breathe new life and new perspectives into old subjects.

Beautiful for Ever is the title of Helen's latest work. The sign over the door of 47a New Bond Street read 'Beautiful For Ever'. These were the premises of Madame Rachel; one of the greatest con artists and blackmailers in London, to whom Victorian society ladies secretly came. In the 1860s beauty treatments were still frowned upon but Madame Rachel would always help discreetly for a hefty payment. Once she had their names and addresses, she also had the blackmailer's perfect mailing list! She will also be talking about Conspirator which tells the story of Lenin in the difficult years leading up to the Russian Revolution. He spent much of his time on the move around Europe, accompanied by his loyal and long-suffering wife. Over lunch Helen provides us with a fascinating insight into the 'real' Lenin. From cosmetics to communism - a fascinating feast!

A ticket for this event includes a three-course lunch with coffee/tea to follow. Please be seated by 12.45 pm.

Tom Holt and Adam Roberts hosted by Peter Guttridge
Time: 1.00 pm
Venue: Scarborough Library Concert Hall
Running Time: 60 minutes
Price: £7

Tom began his career as a novelist with two sequels to E F Benson's much-loved 'Lucia' novels. His first non-pastiche novel, Expecting Someone Taller was the first of his comic fantasies. Holt has also written historical novels and the unauthorised autobiography of Margaret Thatcher.

Tom worked as a solicitor, but has since made a full recovery. He farms is own tiny small smallholding on the driest, stoniest hilltop in Somerset.

Adam Roberts first novel, Salt, was nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award and his novel Yellow Blue Tibia was nominated for the BSFA Award for Best Science Fiction Novel of 2009. He has also published a number of academic works on both 19th century poetry and SF.

Adam is rumoured to be guilty of creating paraodies with titles ranging from The Soddit to The Sellamillion, under the nom de plume 'A.R.R.R. Roberts'. He also writes a column for Alien Online.

It's a funny way to make a living! Dr. Michael Leach, wildlife photographer
Time: 3.30 pm
Venue: Scarborough Library Concert Hall
Running Time: 60 minutes
Price: £5

Dr. Michael Leach has been a full-time wildlife author and photographer since 1977. He has travelled to all 7 Continents and has worked with many of the world's most charismatic animals - ranging from polar bears in the Arctic to elephants in Kenya. Michael explains the basics of his art in this humorous introduction to professional wildlife photography. This is definitely NOT a technical talk, as Michael looks at the highs and lows of the job. Michael will be illustrating his talk with digital photographs.

He shares tips on coaxing animals into the right spot and convincing them that no human is watching and reveals some of the cunning tricks-of-the-trade that produce unlikely photographs. Be prepared to have some illusions shattered! We are delighted to welcome Michael to the far reaches of Scarborough - one of the few places he has never visited!

Robert Goddard hosted by Peter Guttridge
Time: 7.00 pm
Venue: Scarborough Library Concert Hall
Running Time: 60 minutes
Price: £7

It is a genuine thrill to welcome Robert Goddard to The Long Weekend 2010! Robert was born in Hampshire and read History at Cambridge. His first novel, Past Caring, was an instant bestseller. Since then his books have captivated readers worldwide with their edge-of-the-seat pace and their labyrinthine plotting. His first Harry Barnett novel, Into the Blue, was winner of the first W.H. Smith Thumping Good Read Award and was dramatized for TV, starring John Thaw. Robert will be reading from and talking about his latest book, 'Long Time Coming' Spend your Saturday night with this master of suspense!

A complimentary glass of wine will be served at this event.

Photo of Robert Goddard copyright of Graham Jepson

The Big Read
Scarborough reads Robert Goodard! Don't miss this opportunity to pick up a free thriller on Saturday 6th March in the town centre from 10 am. All you have to do is produce your North Yorkshire Library card or join on the day. Membership is free!

Book Banner
Time: 10.00 am
Venue: Woodend Creative Workspace, The Crescent
Running Time: 2 hours
Price: Free (15 spaces)

A chance to create a 'bookcase' hanging using triompe l'oeil techniques. Working with professional Scarborough artist Gaby Naptali, this bright visual piece of art will inspire all who see it. (Please wear old clothes you don't mind getting paint on)

Flip Book Animation
Time: 10.00 am, 11.30 am and 1.00 pm
Venue: Woodend Creative Workspace, The Crescent
Running Time: 90 minutes
Price: Free (10 spaces)

David Bunting has an incredible talent as an animator and lectures part time at the University of Sunderland. Young people will be able to create their own flip books and see them come to life before their eyes as well as on a computer screen in this action packed workshop.

iStop Animation
Time: 12.30 pm
Venue: Woodend Creative Workspace, The Crescent
Running Time: 2 hours
Price: Free (15 spaces)

Young people will get a chance to work with world renowned animator and film maker Rosie Davey whose projects include the animated music video to platinum selling metal band Drowning Pool. Create your own models and see them come to life using iStop animation.

Performance Poetry
Time: 12.30pm
Venue: Woodend Creative Workspace, The Crescent
Running Time: 2 hours
Price: Free (18 spaces)

A chance for everyone top expand thier skills. This workshop promises to be fun and inspiring and will enable young people to work in teams to write poetry. Bob Beagrie is a published poet. He has been translated into numerous languages and has travelled the world!

MCing and Rap
Time: 3.00pm
Venue: Woodend Creative Workspace, The Crescent
Running Time: 2 hours
Price: Free (20 spaces)

Whether you want to improve your skills or are a first time rapper this workshop is for you. Cypher and The Edger, Scarborough's very own international touring artists will deliver a workshop letting you get your tongue around the beats and spit sick bars.

Back to 2010 programme