2024 Speakers

The Isle of Wight Literary Festival combines the wonderful world of avid readers, authors, journalists, historians, poets, scientists and more during a four-day festival at Northwood House, a magnificent Grade II* listed Georgian manor house set in a 20 acre park. This year's speakers include:

• Gyles Brandreth - The TV personality and former MP is also a prolific author, writing novels, biographies, comedy books and much more.
• Susie Dent -The Countdown star is also an accomplished writer of books about lexicography. Susie will be presenting her debut novel, Guilty by Definition.
• Celia Imrie - Celia is an Olivier Award-winning and Screen Actors Guild-nominated actress and top ten Sunday Times bestselling author, who will be sharing her latest publication 'Meet me at Rainbow Corner'.
• Martin Sixsmith - Returning to the festival after a sell-out performance last year, the author and TV and radio presenter will be promoting his latest book – a novel.
• Tracy Borman - The historian is another returnee to Cowes. She was a big hit in 2023 and is most widely known as the author of Elizabeth’s Women, a portrait-gallery of the powerful women who influenced Queen Elizabeth.
• Clare Balding - Clare is an award-winning writer and broadcaster who has been at the forefront of sports presentation since 1998, including seven Olympics and six Paralympic games, Wimbledon, and Crufts. 
• Louise Minchin - Known for her time on the sofa of BBC Breakfast, and her two non-fiction titles (Dare to Tri and Fearless). Chair of the Women's Prize for Fiction 2023, Louise is absolutely passionate about her debut into the thriller writing world.

Special Events

Besides the list of prestigious speakers, other events will also ensure the IW Literary Festival has something to entertain and inspire all ages and interests.

• New to the festival is a Jazz Evening featuring The John Davidson Quartet with Miss Jane Hurst, who will be performing the sophisticated sounds of Broadway and the Golden Age of the Hollywood Musical.
• The LitFeast brings a smorgasbord of talks and demonstrations to delight your palate and feed your brain.
• Join Helen McGinn, creator and the award winning, best-selling Knackered Mother’s Wine Club as she hosts a wine tasting session, in which she will share her knowledge built up through years as a supermarket buyer and national newspaper wine-reviewer.
• The Isle of Wight Book Awards. With judges including Alan Titchmarsh, the winners of the annual awards are announced during the festival. The Isle of Wight Book Awards aim to encourage the writing, reading, and publication of books about the Island.
• Fizz Quiz. Another chance for literary lovers and bookworms to put their wits against like-minded bibliophiles – and win a cash prize.

To see the whole line up and to get your tickets, head to the Isle of Wight Literary Festival website.