BIG names of the literary world will rub shoulders with TV presenters, musicians and expert writers at next year’s Essex Book Festival.

The line-up for the countywide celebration of books, writing and reading has been announced and there’s an eclectic selection of authors visiting various venues in Essex during March 2013.

Former government minister Jack Straw, ex Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, comedian Sandi Toksvig and Newsnight presenter Gavin Esler will be at events talking about their work.

They’ll be joined by novelists Josephine Cox and Rachel Joyce, musician Pauline Black, revered nature writer Richard Mabey, chef Atul Kochhar and Anthony Horowitz, best known for the Alex Rider books and his Sherlock Holmes novel, The House of Silk. More.

See: Total Essex