Tickets are selling fast for this year’s festival
Posted 25/09/2019
The diverse programme is packed with over 60 sessions to delight, inspire and enlighten audiences
The Red Funnel Isle of Wight Literary Festival, now in its 8th year, takes place from 10-13 October at Northwood House, Cowes. By bringing authors to the Isle of Wight to share their work the festival provides islanders and visitors with a rich and varied programme that offers something for all.
A host of top writers are visiting the island for a not to be missed festival. If you are interested in history, royalty, science, espionage, exploration and adventure, or a good story you’ll find over 60 page turning authors discussing their work in this annual 4 day event.
New biographies of Oscar Wilde, Churchill and Prince Albert provide new insights on famous individuals that have shaped our culture. Historians Dan Snow, Daisy Dunn, Hugo Vickers, Philip Mansel, Thomas Harding, and Tracy Borman will be discussing their latest works, while acclaimed writer Mary Lovell whose subjects include the Churchills, Bess of Hardwicke, the Mitford sisters and Amelia Earhart talks about her life as a biographer.
Two Mathematicians provide enlightenment in this year’s programme: Bobby Seagull explains how maths make sense of the world, and Marcus Du Sautoy examines the nature of creativity and explores how machines may become imaginative.
Friday’s programme is packed with crime! There are psychological thrillers, detective stories from Elly Griffiths, Louise Doughty, Kate Hamer and Denzil Meyrick plus forensic scientist Professor Angela Gallop describes real life cases she has worked on. Forensic psychologist Kerry Daynes describes her work with criminals and victims. Barrister Sarah Langford revealing her experience in defending criminal cases.
For light relief join in the Fizz Quiz on Friday evening, or book to see satirist Craig Brown’s “One Stop Literary Festival” with parodies of Jilly Cooper, Richard Dawkins and Virginia Wolf.
Island writers are featured too. Three island poets Lily Blacksell, Sandy Kealty and Chris Young will be reading some of their works. Historians James Rayner, Peter Caddick Adams explore aspects of the isle of Wight’s past. John Farthing’s and Tim Wander’s book, Where PLUTO Crossed the Path, tells the real story behind PLUTO with 23 guided walks to give ramblers the opportunity to view the physical impact of PLUTO on the island.
Maggie Ankers, Chair of the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Literary Festival comments “We are delighted once again to offer such an array of exciting speakers at affordable prices in a rich and diverse programme.”
Visit www.isleofwightliteraryfestival.com to book tickets, and bring friends and family. Take advantage of the 10% discount if you book 6 or more tickets to £9 sessions.
Red Funnel is offering excellent deals for book lovers travelling from the mainland for a day visit or the full weekend. www.redfunnel.co.uk/litfest
Once again Festival Radio will be broadcasting from the 6th October with information about the event, interviews with authors. To get a flavour of the festival you can listen to highlights from last year at https://isleofwightliteraryfestival.com/festivalradio/
About the Isle of Wight Literary Festival
The Isle of Wight Literary Festival, an established event on the UK Arts calendar, is now in its 8th year. The festival provides a far reaching eclectic programme designed to attract a wide audience and increase the cultural richness of the Isle of Wight. Hosted at Northwood House, Cowes over 4 days over 60 writers and presenters will talk about their latest works and insights.
Festival goers will be choosing between sessions examining history, medicine, gardening, crime fiction, travel, technology, maritime adventure, politics and much more.
Last year 95% of festival goers we surveyed said their experience was good or very good and 92% are extremely likely to attend again.
The Isle of Wight Literary Festival is a registered charity (No. 1164814) relying on the generous support of sponsors, benefactors and friends, and staffed by volunteers. The festival has two patrons: Major General Sir Martin White KCVO, CB, CBE and Nicholas Allan – author and illustrator patron of the Youth Programme and two vice patrons, Alan Titchmarsh MBE DL and Michael Grade – The Lord Grade of Yarmouth CBE.
The Youth Programme was set up by the charity 5 years ago. The Schools Programme sends authors, illustrators and dramatists into the schools to enrich education for the under 18s on the Isle of Wight by increasing the cultural experiences available to stimulate interest in learning and creative ideas. In 2018 5000 Isle of Wight children were involved in the programme.
For more information please contact:
marketing@isleofwightliteraryfestival.com
t: 01983 295612
Isle of Wight Literary Festival, Northwood House, Ward Avenue, Cowes, Isle of Wight PO31 8AZ.