Celebrity Authors Gather at Isle of Wight Literary Festival

The Isle of Wight Literary Festival, an annual celebration of literature, took place in Cowes from October 3 to 6, drawing an impressive array of celebrity authors and local writers who shared insights into their creative processes and stories. The festival has been a fixture in the literary calendar since 2012, attracting prominent voices in the literary and broadcasting worlds.

Among the celebrated figures was broadcaster Clare Balding, who appeared with friend and Isle of Wight resident Anneka Rice to discuss her new book, Isle of Dogs. Balding, a known dog enthusiast, highlighted the mental well-being benefits of owning dogs and recounted personal anecdotes involving royal visits to her family home.

Susie Dent, a lexicographer famed for her long-standing role on the show Countdown, presented her debut novel, Guilty by Definition. In conversation with broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh, Dent discussed the transition from non-fiction to fiction writing and shared insights about her favorite word, ‘halcyon.’

David Hepworth, a music journalist and author, captivated audiences with revelations from his book Hope I Get Old Before I Die: Why Rock Stars Never Retire. In his talk, Hepworth explored the evolution of rock stars’ careers, touching on how events like Live Aid redefined elder musicians’ status and how the dynamics of concert audiences have shifted since the 1980s.

The festival also featured a variety of events, including a LitFeast, which merged culinary arts with literary appreciation, and a jazz performance by the John Davidson Quintet on the opening night. The event is a registered charity and facilitates the IWLF Schools initiative, bringing authors into educational settings for interactive sessions and workshops at no cost to students.