Island Authors at the Literary Festival

Wednesday, 11 September 2024 15:05

This year’s Isle of Wight Literary Festival will be supporting the Island’s own talented authors

A new section of the festival, called Write on Wight, will shine a light on published authors from the Isle of Wight. Festival organisers are offering the chance for authors to promote and sell their books at this year’s festival through two new free features.

In conjunction with festival sponsors Medina Bookshop this year there will be a Local Authors’ Marketplace at festival headquarters, Northwood House, where there will be a number of tables for local authors to sell their own books and chat with the festival’s visitors throughout the four days, from October 3-6. The Friday evening of the festival will be given over entirely to local authors.

(Jean G-Owen from Naked Figleaf Collective)

The Naked Figleaf Collective will be hosting a free event, ‘Author! Author!’ for Island writers to deliver an entertaining two-minute ‘elevator pitch’ of their book to the assembled audience.

This will be followed by a break for networking before a ticketed session entitled ‘From Inspiration To Publication’ with four Island authors; Katie Daysh, Sarah Lawton, Angela Buckley and Anna Britton. All four are currently enjoying nationwide success with their recent respective publications. Now the festival organisers want Island authors to make themselves known.

To apply for either a marketplace table or a chance to pitch your book at ‘Author!, Author!’, or both, please complete the application form at www.isleofwightliteraryfestival.com/write-on-wight before August 31.

Every effort will be made to accommodate as many applicants as possible and all authors will be notified of confirmation and schedules by September 14.

As well as the local authors, big names ranging from Clare Balding, Susie Dent and Louise Minchin to Gyles Brandreth and Gen Michael Jackson will be gracing the festival stages.

(image: Rachell Smith)

Award-winning actor Celia Imrie is the latest big name to be added to the Isle of Wight Literary Festival programme. Celia, who used to live on the Isle of Wight, is known for her screen roles in The Best (and Second Best) xotic Marigold Hotel, Calendar Girls, Nanny McPhee, Bridget Jones, Absolutely Fabulous, and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

She will be returning to the Island to promote her new book, Meet Me at Rainbow Corner, described as a moving and dramatic tale about crushed dreams and resilience, war brides and domestic spies, at the Northwood
House-based Isle of Wight Literary Festival from October 3 to 6. Celia is the author of the top ten Sunday Times bestselling novels in the Nice Trilogy.

Appearing with her will be Fidelis Morgan, the historical researcher on Celia’s novels. Fidelis is an actor, writer and director, and the author of several non-fiction books. She has lectured around the world. Her four historical mysteries have been translated into many languages.

Maggie Ankers, Isle of Wight Literary Festival chair, said: “This year, we are focusing on the writing talent the Island can offer so Celia and Fidelis’s presence fits in well with that theme.To add such a well-known former Islander as Celia to our list this year is just amazing.”

Island Authors at the Literary Festival

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