Star Island announces a new way to enjoy the first annual Star Island Literary Festival this August with an overnight during Anita Shreve’s visit on Tuesday, Aug. 28.

This special overnight will grant guests the opportunity to take part in Shreve’s visit to Star Island including an afternoon talk, question and answer session, and book signing. Shreve is known for her many best-selling novels including The Weight of Water, which offers a fictionalized version of the 1873 Smuttynose Island Murders.

Shreve said, “I’m so looking forward to being at the Isles of Shoals and their terrific literary festival this year Star Island strikes me as the perfect place for such an event — rich in literary history, remote, and even a little gothic in its history.”

During this overnight, guests can attend the Anita Shreve events and interact with other authors and presenters including Seacoast-based writers Katherine Towler and KD Mason, as well as Corwin Ericson, Jed Berry, Bill Bauer, Tim Horvath, Nita Penfold and Sandy Damashek.

Registrants will board the M/V Thomas Laighton at 9:25 AM on Tuesday morning in Portsmouth and depart Star Island at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29.

The special overnight package includes boat fare and all meals as part of room and board. The overnight is a great way to experience a small portion of the Star Island Literary Festival. Rates start at $125 per person. The entire festival occurs from Sunday, August 26 to Friday, August 31.

If you would like to take part in the overnight or the entire festival, please contact the Star Island Registrar, Michael Bray, via email at mbray@starisland.org. Guests new to Star Island and staying for the entire festival are also welcome to receive 10% off their room and board bill by inquiring with the registrar.