NOT a regular face on the literature festival scene, it is a surprise - even to herself - that author Kate Atkinson is taking on two in one weekend.

Kate, who won the Whitbread Book of the Year award for her first novel Behind the Scenes at the Museum, will appear at both Cheltenham and Ilkley.

It is perhaps a measure of its growing stature, that the author displays much more enthusiasm about the Ilkley festival than the firmly-established Cheltenham version.

Kate, who has won several prizes for her short stories, including the Ian St James Award, lauded its innovative

programme and glut of top-selling authors.

She said: "I don't normally do festivals so it is quite interesting to do two in one week. I thought it was time I poked my nose over the fence.

"I am doing the Cheltenham one the day before and I actually thought the Ilkley one looked better. It was more the kind I would normally go to.

"Cheltenham is so big and well-established so it will be interesting to see the difference between the two."

Perhaps part of the attraction is that York-born Kate, who now lives in Edinburgh, feels she will be making a welcome return to her roots.

She said: "I haven't been to Ilkley for so long. I miss Yorkshire. God's own county! I can't remember when I was last in Ilkley. I am looking forward to that aspect of it, being back home. I think its great."

Not a regular on the literary circuit, Kate says she does not know many authors personally, apart from her good friend Ali Smith, who is also appearing.

Indeed, she cites the opportunity to see poet Simon Armitage as one of the highlights of the festival for her.

"I thought the line up looked really good. I have got a ticket for Simon Armitage. That is the thing I'm looking forward to," she said.

Kate will be among the writers unveiling an original short story, especially commissioned for the festival.

She said: "I am putting together a series of short stories so I thought, 'great, that will make me do something'. It is interesting to try out a new story on an audience.

"This story is 4,000 words. I am quite interested to see how they react. I would be asleep if I was listening to me read so I will see how much stamina they have got!"

The story should have added poignancy - and keep audiences spellbound - as it is based on a world disaster.

Kate said: "The story I have written for Ilkley, Not the End of the World, was written before the Twin Towers were destroyed but it is a real kind of disaster story, with burning buildings and things.

"Someone was trying to get me to have it published in a broadsheet only yesterday.

"So it will quite interesting to see how they react to that. It should be quite a lively response because it is so much of its time."

Kate Atkinson will appear at Ilkley Playhouse, on Sunday, October 14, at 7pm.