The final list of authors set to appear at this year’s St Albans Literary Festival has been revealed.

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One of Britain’s best and most influential music writers, Sylvia Patterson will be talking about her memoir, I’m Not with the Band, at Waterstones on Wednesday July 6 at 7.30pm.

This fascinating and brutally honest book is not only a rollicking life adventure told with poignancy and wit, but also serves as a thorough chronicle of 30 years of music journalis, taking in Smash Hits, NMW, The Face, Q, The Word and The Observer, and featuring encounters with the likes of Madonna, Prince, George Michael, Beyoncé, the Gallagher brothers, Johnny Cash and Amy Winehouse.

Harpenden mystery writer Carol Hedges, the successful author of 15 novels for teenagers and adults, is appearing at the Oxfam Bookshop in Catherine Street on the evening of Tuesday July 5 at 7.30pm.

Carol’s books have been shortlisted for various prizes: her YA novel Jigsaw was long-listed for the Carnegie Medal and her historical novel Diamonds & Dust was listed for the 2013 CWA Historical Dagger. She will be taking her audience on a journey back to 1860s London to visit the sights, sounds and people of the past. She will talk about how she researches, writes, publishes and publicises her books, and answering questions on her work from the audience.

BeauSandVer Writers will be holding a Flash Fiction Workshop from 2.30pm on Saturday July 9 in the Story-tellers’ Circle at St Peter’s Church.

Flash fiction comprises the shortest of short stories, from six words to 1,000, and BeauSandVer writers will offer readings of their own micro-fiction, tips on how to achieve impact with a slimmed-down story, and advice on where to publish.

This year’s St Albans LitFest features talks and workshops taking place in different sections of St Peter’s Church and select locations around St Albans city centre.

It promises a programme of exciting activities appealing to both adults and children. Confirmed guests include BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner, controversial politician Ken Livingstone, Human Rights lawyer Anthony Lester QC, graphic novelist Dave Gibbons, crime writers David Mark, Peter Robinson, SD Sykes, Sarah Pinborough and Angela Clarke, and historical authors Alison Weir, Tracy Borman and Amy Licence.

Tickets for all events are now available from the LitFest website.