AUTHOR Joanne Harris has helped promote the town's new Festival of Literature.
Fans of Joanne, who lives at Almondbury, packed into the University of Huddersfield's Canalside West lecture theatre to hear her speak about her two new books.
The university-sponsored festival will be on March 16-19.
It will be the first such festival in Huddersfield. Events will be held at the university, Lawrence Batley Theatre, the Media Centre and Huddersfield Library.
The festival - to be launched by university chancellor Patrick Stewart - will bring top authors to Huddersfield.
But it will also give Huddersfield writers - including members of the town's 40 book clubs - chance to showcase their talents and take part in writing workshops.
Joanne Harris cannot attend the festival.
But she is promoting it because of her close links with the university.
She was given an honorary degree by the university in 2003.
Phil Williams, head of public relations at the university, said: "Since we gave her an honorary degree Joanne has intended to come and do some talks for us.
"Sadly, she cannot be here for the festival. But through this event she has helped notify people about it, as well as talking about her new work and what she's planning next."
Joanne, 40, has written eight novels, a book of short stories and two cookery books.
She is probably best known for her hit Chocolat - which was turned into an Oscar-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp.
But last night the focus of her speech was her two new books - the thriller Gentlemen and Players and the cookery book The French Market.
