- Sebastian Faulks has a brief to talk about science and literature with Steve Jones this afternoon, and about his novel Engleby in the evening. He should not be surprised, though, if some of the audiences are more curious about his James Bond sequel, Devil May Care. Aspiring writers will be particularly envious that he wrote it in just six weeks.

- Don't miss Helen Mirren on Sunday, who will be answering questions about her life and career to promote her autobiography, In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures - a book her spokeswoman points out that Mirren wrote herself.

- The actor Neil Pearson has drawn on his passion for book collecting in Obelisk (Liverpool University Press), the story of a Paris publisher in the 1920s. If the audience for his October 13 event is lucky, he will display his prize possession – George Orwell’s review copy of a book called Bastard Death, by one Michael Fraenkel. Orwell gave it a pasting, but the spine suggests, shockingly, that he read only half of it.

- General Sir Michael Jackson (appearing on Tuesday to talk about his autobiography) chose an unconventional launch venue, signing copies at a village pub owned by his son. He sold 60 or so books.

- Many who perform at festivals have anxiety dreams beforehand, sometimes involving nakedness on stage but mostly about stalled journeys. Francesca Simon, author of the Horrid Henry books, has suffered such a trauma in real life – a stalled journey, not nudity. Last year she got into her hotel lift and was trapped for 40 minutes. This year she has asked for a ground-floor room.

- On Monday you can get gardening tips or a fierce critique of global capitalism. The presenter in each case is called Klein. Just make sure you can tell Carol from Naomi.

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