Friday 12th – Sunday 14th August 2011Standon, Hertfordshire (Just 40 mins from London)

Themed Fancy Dress, Swimming Pool, All-Night Bars, On-Site Nightclub, Interactive Theatre

Former drug smugglers, pin-up poets, a Literary Death Match, a kissing seminar, a giant game of Twister and more than 25 authors, comedians and other performers will be appearing in the Under Covers Literary Lounge at Standon Calling.

The Friday night headliner is Howard Marks and he’ll be sharing mind-bending stories before answering any questions you might have about gods, monsters or drugs. Having achieved cult status across the globe from Beijing to San Francisco, the Literary Death Match is pitching up at Standon on the Saturday. Be dazzled by verbal virtuosity and linguistic ludicrousness as four writers go head-to-head with only words as their weapons. Then get ready to pucker up on Sunday as the Queen of kissing, Lana Citron, author of Compendium of Kisses leads you through an exploration of the kiss, culminating in a practical demonstration. Also appearing on Sunday is Roar Theatre’s energetic and irreverent interpretation of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. All weekend there’ll be board games, as well as a giant twister mat in the Literary Lounge. Then, come the end of each night, the I-ality Hi-Fi Sound System will be bringing their unique carnival sound system experience to the tent.

Without further ado, here is the line up for the Under Covers Literary Lounge: Howard Marks

Welsh author, former teacher and drug smuggler who achieved notoriety as an international cannabis smuggler. At the height of his drug career, he was said to have controlled 10% of the world's hashish trade. He is the author of Mr Nice along with its follow up Senior Nice and a novel. 


 Lana Citron

Actress, novelist and comedian, whose A Compendium of Kisses is described  by The Economist as‘an intellectual and indulgent treat.’

Tim Wells

He has a laugh that’s more like a caress. He walks properly. He knows that wide, floating trousers are only good for wearing on a veranda with a cocktail in your hand. He has fought and defeated monster hangovers for years. His latest collection, Rougher Yet, is published by Donut Press.

James Bridle: Slash Fiction

James Bridle takes us on a journey into the dark underbelly of internet fiction, featuring Star Trek, Harry Potter and Top Gear.

Plus: Stuart Evers, Sophia Blackwell, Rebecca Hunt, Amber Marks, Nikesh Shukla, Travis Elborough, Sebastian Rayner, Dan & Dan, Chimene Suleyman, Ben Johncock, Joshua Idehen, Nicholas Hogg, Philip Womack, Hannah Lowe, Tiffany Anne Tondut, Evie Wyld, Ashna Sarkar Niven Govinden, Marius Brill ( part of LDM), James P Honey