Island authors are being invited to showcase their work and connect with new readers as the popular Write on Wight programme returns to this year’s Isle of Wight Literary Festival.
The initiative, now in its 3rd year, will once again form part of the Isle of Wight Literary Festival, which takes place at Northwood House in Cowes from 8th–11th October.
Designed to celebrate local literary talent, Write on Wight provides a platform for Island authors across a wide range of genres, including fiction, poetry, memoirs and local history.
This year’s programme is sponsored by Robertson Foster, the Isle of Wight-based communications and public relations consultancy, which also supports the festival’s marketing and communications.
Write on Wight features 2 key elements – Author! Author! and the Writers’ Marketplace.
Author! Author! gives aspiring writers just 2 minutes to pitch their book idea to a live audience, making the case for why it deserves to be read. The event has become a festival favourite, with a mix of heartfelt, humorous and imaginative presentations.
Jean G Owen, of Figlet Press, will once again host the session with stopwatch and bell in hand. She will also launch Issue 6 of the Figlet anthology of Island writing later the same evening.
Meanwhile, the Writers’ Marketplace gives local authors the chance to sell their books directly to the thousands of visitors expected to attend the festival.
Writers can take part in either event, or both, by completing the application form on the festival’s website. Entries close at midnight on 31st July.
This year’s Write on Wight will also showcase work created in partnership with Brevity, the Island’s literary handbill, Boojum and Snark, the creative regeneration venue in Sandown, and Art-House-Life, based at Osborne Stable Block in East Cowes.
“Write on Wight has become an important part of the Isle of Wight Literary Festival because it celebrates the wealth and vibrance of literary talent we have on the Island.
“Whether someone is taking their first steps as a writer or has already published several books, it gives them a platform to share their work, meet readers and become part of the Island’s thriving creative community.”
Gavin Foster, Director of Robertson Foster, added:
“Every organisation, community and individual has a story to tell. Helping people share those stories is at the heart of what we do as a company, so we’re proud to support a programme that champions talented Island authors and gives them an opportunity to share their stories and reach new audiences.”
Now in its 15th year, the Isle of Wight Literary Festival will welcome headline authors including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Sophie Raworth, Clare Balding and Amanda Barrie. Tickets are expected to go on sale in August.
