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) Exotic Marigold Hotel, Calendar Girls, dinnerladies, 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 3rd-6th October. Celia is the author of the Top 10 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 4 historical mysteries have been translated into many languages. Maggie Ankers, Isle of Wight Literary Festival chair, says:
“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.”
Celia will be joining big names Clare Balding, Susie Dent, Louise Minchin and Gyles Brandreth at the festival. Former Island resident Celia’s presence echoes the strong local authors’ focus of this year’s festival. Festival organisers are offering the chance for authors to promote and sell their books at this year’s festival through 2 new free features. In conjunction with festival sponsors Medina Bookshop, there will be a Local Authors’ Marketplace at Northwood House, where there will be tables for local authors to sell their own books and chat with festival visitors. The Friday evening of the festival will be given over entirely to local authors. The Naked Figleaf Collective will be hosting a free event, ‘Author! Author!’ for Island writers to deliver an entertaining 2-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. Festival tickets are due to go on sale later this month.
