CBeebies star and writer Joseph Elliott, author of the Young Bond novels, Steve Cole, and British Book Awards 2025 Illustrator of the Year Rob Biddulph, are among the headliners for the 2026 Isle of Wight Story Festival, which will return to Newport next February half term.
Taking place at Quay Arts, the IW Story Festival will run from Thursday, 19th February to Saturday, 21st February.
Tickets will be on sale from Monday, 1st December and will be available in person at Quay Arts or online at iwstoryfestival.com
CBeebies star Joseph Elliott is best known for playing Cook in the BAFTA-winning series, Swashbuckle. Joseph has also written scripts for Horrible Histories and will be speaking about his award-winning children’s books, Nora and the Map of Mayhem and Nora and the Compass of Chaos, which follow the anarchic adventures of Nora, an axe-wielding great-grandmother.
Young Bond author Steve Cole, who has penned numerous Doctor Who books, will be, in his words, ‘leading the audience on a laugh-a-minute, high energy, ukulele-accompanied master class’ focussing on his highly successful action packed Astrosaurs series.
The former Doctor Who merchandising boss took over the Young Bond writing job from The Fast Show star Charlie Higson.
The IW Story Festival will be officially opened on Thursday, 19th February by local legend Kieran Larwood, and best-selling, multi award-winning author/illustrator Rob Biddulph.
Rob was named Illustrator of the Year at the British Book Awards (the Nibbies) in 2025 and was the official World Book Day Illustrator between 2019 and 2021. Hear about the inspirations for his new series ‘The Moonhaven Chronicles’ and have your pencils ready for a live version of one of Rob’s famous ‘Draw with Rob’ episodes.
Celebrated author Emma Carroll will take audiences on a whistlestop tour of vampire history, and the inspiration behind her latest book Dracula & Daughters.
Author and journalist, Cathy Reay will talk about her empowering guide How To Be Disabled and Proud: (or at Least Kinda Sorta Okay with It) for disabled children aged 8+, whilst highly-acclaimed, Waterstones Prize-shortlisted author, Lucy Strange, will let you into the secrets of her inspiration for her shadowy mystery The Island at the Edge of Night.
Speaking ahead of the festival, Sue Bailey, one of the volunteer organisers, said:
“We have a great line-up of authors, poets, storytellers and performers for 2026. We listened to feedback from audiences last year, and have included more performances, as well as more free drop-in activities to complement our diverse author talks. Quay Arts is going to be buzzing with creativity and inspiration.”
Returning after their sold-out appearances in 2022, Sarah McIntyre and Philip Reeve will speak about their new AdventureMice series, as well as speaking separately about their new books.
2026 will mark the 25th anniversary of Philip’s Mortal Engines series and to celebrate, he’ll speak about his latest in the collection, Bridge of Storms.
No strangers to collaboration, the pair wrote ‘Pugs of the Frozen North’ which is being performed as a theatre show by Foundry Theatre. Sue said:
“I can’t wait to see how the performers recreate the sled race to the North Pole. Will the 66 pugs save the day?”.
It’s not the only performance at the festival for Coppice Theatre will present ‘How to Catch a Book Witch’; Raw Theatre will perform ‘Billy the Brave’; Theatretrain are doing ‘Musical Theatre Songs’ and Shree Dance Academy are inviting all to join in and learn some Indian classical dance.
Sue continued:
“There are plenty of local writers and creatives taking part too. So many good things! You may be inspired by one of the many talented people appearing and become the authors of the next generation.”
Buy tickets in person from Quay Arts or online at iwstoryfestival.com
