A PRIZE-WINNING locally-born novelist is set to return to York for the city’s annual literature festival.

York-born author Kate Atkinson is to take part in an event at York St John University on March 25 as part of the fourth York Literature Festival.

Kate, whose best-selling debut novel Behind The Scenes At The Museum won the Whitbread Book Of The Year title and a £21,000 prize in 1995, will be interviewed about her success by Dr Roger Clark of the university’s literature department.

The novelist is now widely regarded as one of the UK’s top popular fiction authors and has had a number of books published including Emotionally Weird, Human Croquet and the best-selling series of Jackson Brodie novels, Case Histories, One Good Turn and When Will There Be Good News, which was a Sunday Times Number 1 Bestseller.

Miles Salter, chairman of York Literature Festival, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Kate Atkinson to the 2010 York Literature Festival.

“Her books are exciting, witty and show great insight into human behaviour.

“When we surveyed our audience in March 2009, we asked them who they would like to see at the festival, and their top choice was Kate Atkinson.

“It’s her first appearance in York for over three years.

“This is a great addition to an exciting festival for 2010.”

Alongside her publicised books, Kate has also authored a play, Abandonment, which was staged at York Theatre Royal in 2004. The Kate Atkinson event will take place at York St John University De Grey Court Lecture Theatre on March 25, at 7pm.

Tickets cost £5 and can be bought from York Theatre Royal box office on 01904 623568.

York Literature Festival is running over a period of more than two weeks from March 18 – 28 and features over 50 events at venues across the city including theatre, author events, workshops and storytelling.

For more information visit: yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk