ISLAND FESTIVAL SUPPORTING LOCAL LITERARY TALENT

This year’s Isle of Wight Literary Festival will be supporting the Island’s talented authors. A new section of the festival, called Write on Wight, will shine a light on published authors from the Isle of Wight. Festival organisers are offering the chance for authors to promote and sell their books at this year’s festival through two new free features. In conjunction with festival sponsors Medina Bookshop this year there will be a Local Authors’ Marketplace at festival headquarters, Northwood House, where there will be several tables for local authors to sell their own books and chat with the festival’s visitors throughout the four days, from 3rd – 6th October.  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 two-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. All 4 are currently enjoying nationwide success with their recent respective publications. Now the festival organisers want Island authors to make themselves known. To apply for either a marketplace table or a chance to pitch your book at ‘Author!, Author!’, or both, please complete the application form at www.isleofwightliteraryfestival.com/write-on-wight before 31st August. Every effort will be made to accommodate as many applicants as possible and all authors will be notified of confirmation and schedules by 14th September. As well as the local authors, big names ranging from Clare Balding, Susie Dent and Louise Minchin to Gyles Brandreth and Gen Michael Jackson will be gracing the festival stages. * This year, the Isle of Wight Literary Festival has a new website. Check out all the   confirmed authors and special events such as Lit Feast, Fizz Quiz and the school’s programme at www.isleofwightliteraryfestival.com