THE 2015 York Literature Festival is well under way, with the opening-night talk by the Guardian's Polly Toynbee and David Walker on Thursday a sell-out.

There is plenty more still to come, with Woman's Hour's Dame Jenni Murray at St Peter's School tonight; historian David Starkey talking about "York's place in history" at the Grand Opera House tomorrow; and bestselling York author Matt Haig giving his own take on "reasons to stay alive" at Waterstones on Monday.

There are also plenty of local events and local authors. Seven local authors will be appearing at Bedern Hall for a literary lunch on Wednesday.

Over a tapas-style lunch, Clara Challoner Walker, Kate Henderson Nichol, Hilary Robinson, Yvie Holder, Jean Harrod, Sally Corrie and Phil Batman will talk about how York has inspired them to write everything from poetry to crime novels, children's stories and family histories.

York's 'merry band of enthusiastic writers' is how Kate Henderson Nichol describes the group. All have been published by York Publishing Services.

"Unlike many of the other presenters in the festival, none of us are famous so will not attract much attention," says Kate.

"But we all have longstanding personal connections with York – the city that's inspired us in different ways to write and produce our books, and we do want to celebrate our books and our York connections."

Literary Lunch, Bedern Hall, York, Wednesday March 25, noon to 2pm. Tickets, which cost £11.50, are sold out, but for returns phone 01904 623568. For other events, visit yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk/