Organisers of the Isle of Wight Story Festival have announced the first headliners for the 2026 edition of the event, including popular local name Kieran Larwood and award winning author Lucy Strange.
Returning to Newport over February half term, the IW Story Festival will take over Quay Arts from Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st.
Once again appearing at the festival will be the Isle of Wight’s very own Kieran Larwood, author of fantasy books including the Podkin One-Ear series.
Back by popular demand, Kieran will be speaking about his career, which also includes penning the Dungeon Runners books. In 2017, Kieran won the Blue Peter best story award.
Also appearing at the festival will be award-winning writer Lucy Strange, who was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for the Waterstones Book Prize for Our Castle by the Sea.
Lucy will share the secrets behind her thrilling mystery The Island at the Edge of Night.
She’ll also speak about her sources of inspiration and give a sneaky peek into her creative process. Bringing drama to the IW Story Festival, Cornwall’s Coppice Theatre will stage How to Catch a Book Witch.
The child-friendly play will explore the importance of libraries with live music, puppetry, key-word signing and captions.
Speaking about the announcement, Isle of Wight Story Festival organising committee member Nigel Cox said:
“We are so excited to be launching the 2026 IWSF with Blue Peter Award winning author Kieran Larwood and a festival first appearance by Lucy Strange.
“It’s going to be a bumper year for Newport’s own celebration of stories in all forms.”
Tickets will go on sale for the IW Story Festival in December, and more names will be added to the line-up soon.
