HALF way through and there's still plenty of things to look forward to at this year's Essex Book Festival.

This weekend Essex University is making sure there's plenty for young literature fans to do with their own 'Mini Book Festival' running tomorrow and Sunday from 10.30am to 4pm.

There will be a whole host of family friendly activities taking place throughout the Wivenhoe Park campus from storytelling, book making with Wivenhoe artist Alison Stockmarr and even the Theatre Arts Society on hand to bring your stories to life.

Later next week the university, this time in the Hexagon, plays host to deputy editor of Granta Fiction, Ros Porter, who, with the help of contributors, A L Kennedy, the award-winning writer who now lives in Wivenhoe, and US author and essayist, Ben Markovits, will be talking about the role of literary magazines and today's best young American novelists.

That takes place on Wednesday, March 22, at 7pm.

Wivenhoe appears to be quite the hotbed of literary talent with another two festival events taking place there.

The first is a visit to the town's library from writer Oliver Balch, also on Wednesday at 7pm. He will be talking about his latest work, Under the Tump: Sketches of Real Life on the Welsh Borders, in which he details his move from London to the picturesque town of Hay-on-Wye, and the people who live there, producing a personal picture of country life in the 21st century.

Later on in the week on Friday, March 24, local poet, songwriter and academic, Adrian May, makes a welcome return to the festival with his new book, Discovering England.

As with his previous works, the book consists of songs and poetry, as well as an accompanying CD, this time taking a wry, left-wing look at the questions of English identity, ranging from the comic to the poignant.

The launch of his book takes place at the Royal British Legion Hall on the town's Quay and will include a performance by Adrian with his band, Face Furniture and the Extensions.

Other highlights next week include Piers Torday who will be at Colchester Library on Tuesday, March 21, at 7pm. Piers is the author of the acclaimed children's series, The Last Wild Trilogy, but will be talking about his father's last book, Death of an Owl. Paul Torday is perhaps best remembered for the book Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, which was made into a film with Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt. Death of an Owl, which was completed by Piers after his father's death, is an intriguing tale of British politics and revenge, which has been described as a delightful gothic fantasy.

Last but certainly not least, Colchester author Liz Trenow will be the guest for the festival's very first Literary Lunch, which takes place at Tymperleys in Trinity Street on Thursday, March 23, from 12pm to 2pm.

As well as enjoying a two-course meal, diners can delight in Liz talking about her family's 300 year history in the silk weaving trade, which inspired her latest book, The Silk Weaver.

For more information, or to book tickets, go on-line at www.essexbookfestival.org.uk