Read All About Whitby's Brand New Literature Festival
Yorkshire has inspired many writers and there are literature festivals across the county which celebrate that fact
Lee Child, Rob Rinder, Miriam Margolyes, Steph McGovern and Yvette Fielding are just a few of the famous faces heading to Whitby this November for the first ever Whitby Lit Fest (6th–9th November). This all new festival will bring together authors, playwrights, poets and bookworms to share their love for lit across the town.
Lois Kirtlan is committee chair of Whitby Lit Fest. ‘I came to Whitby to start my business [Hetty & Betty] and when I was putting together my calendar with all the important dates to know, I asked staff when is the Lit Fest? They said “we don’t have one”. I was like “…seriously?” It’s the birthplace of Dracula, the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland (and for lots of his poetry), it’s the home of the oldest [recorded] English poem (Caedmon’s Hymn in the 7th century at Whitby Abbey) – his text is still in existence. How could they not have a Lit Fest?’
Lois felt motivated to speak to local business owners who shared her passion, but Covid set them back. ‘Once we’d come through the other side, I happened to be up at the Abbey at an event and got chatting with Mark Williamson [English Heritage Regional Partnerships Manager] about the Lit Fest and he agreed it was a great idea and we contacted the council, who have been really supportive. We knew what our shortfalls were. None of us work in publishing or literature so we knew we had to bring experts on board. We talked with the owner of The Whitby Bookshop [Fiona Duncan] and [community development librarian] Adele Duffield. Together we’ve created a strong group and we’ve attracted some really great names.’
Whitby sells itself, Lois argues. ‘It’s a quirky, different place and we wanted to make it a town-wide approach,’ she says. ‘The festival is for the entire town. We’re bringing together venues from across the town and we’re all working together to create something that’s special. I think that’s what’s appealing. Also, the timing really works. Bram Stoker’s birthday is the 8th of November so that’s why we wanted to host this around that weekend. Of course, if you’re an author and you’ve got books to sell at Christmas, it’s a good opportunity to do that too!’
Crime writing favourite Lee Child will discuss his 30th Jack Reacher book, Exit Strategy, as well as his first book of autobiographical essays in conversation with Rob Rinder. Sir Alan Ayckbourn will be interviewed by Whitby Lit Fest patron, author and former BBC Radio 4 producer, Kate Fenton. Miriam Margolyes will be in conversation with Lucinda Hawksley, Charles Dickens’ great, great, great granddaughter, who will also host an author talk and dinner at The White Horse and Griffin (the original coaching inn where Dickens stayed whilst visiting Whitby). Middlesbrough’s Steph McGovern will discuss her debut crime thriller, Deadline, and Yvette Fielding will host a bespoke children’s event on her new book set in Whitby – The Vampire of Whitby. North Yorkshire’s Rob Cowen will talk about his book The North Road in conversation with Jenn Ashworth, who will discuss her memoir, The Parallel Path.
‘It’s fantastic that we’ve got the headliners and they’re highlights in their own right,’ says Lois. ‘To get names like Lee Child is fantastic. But for me, one of the highlights has been bringing the town together. This isn’t just a one-off; we do hope it’ll be an annual festival that will have a huge legacy. Encouraging lesser-known writers to get involved and be a part of that has been brilliant.’
A number of books set in Whitby will be celebrated at the festival and local authors include Whitby-born Amanda Mason and Scarborough’s Rowan Coleman who will lead a panel on romance fiction with Jess Kitching from Bradford, whilst plenty more Yorkshire talent will take part in the poetry strand of the festival.
‘It’s a beautiful place all year round and part of the Lit Fest is about promoting that really, that it’s not just a summer destination. Winter is a fantastic time to come along,’ says Lois. ‘Whitby faces north so we get both stunning sunrises and sunsets. The streets are quieter so there’s a real atmosphere around Whitby with lots of Christmas spirit. It’s the perfect place to cosy up with a good book. There are very few counties in the country that can boast coast, city, moors, dales – we have everything. There are three ridings of Yorkshire and each of them have their own heritage, background and mindset. If you go to Leeds it’s vibrant, multicultural and futuristic, in York there’s the medieval side of things and the Vikings, in Whitby there’s the atmosphere of the coast and in Scarborough there’s the traditional seaside, then there’s all the tranquility of the dales. There’s something for everyone.’ Lois encourages everyone to come along to the inaugural Whitby Lit Fest and insists you must try the fish and chips.
Whitby Lit Fest takes place 6th–9th November 2025 at venues across Whitby. Head to whitbylitfest.org.uk for the full line-up.
Helmsley Literary Festival
12TH–14TH SEPTEMBER
Helmsley Arts Centre
helmsleyarts.co.uk
Jenn Ashworth will recall her post-Covid coast to coast walk recounted in her book The Parallel Path and owner of Saltburn’s Book Corner, Jenna Warren, will share her latest novel, The Hometown Bookshop, at Helmsley Literary Festival which will end with a literary quiz night.
Richmond Walking and Book Festival
19TH–28TH SEPTEMBER
Across Richmond
booksandboots.org
Meet local authors, take part in a bookbinding workshop, or browse a variety of new, second-hand, antiquarian and collectable books in the full programme of morning and evening book events as part of Richmond Walking and Book Festival.
Ilkley Literature Festival
3RD–19TH OCTOBER
Across Ilkley
ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk
Bestselling author and comedian Alan Davies, Poet Laureate and Yorkshireman Simon Armitage and award-winning writer Rachel Bower are just a few big names taking part in this year’s Ilkley Literature Festival, which has been bringing the best writers to book-loving audiences for more than five decades.
Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival
9TH–19TH OCTOBER
Across Harrogate
harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
Chris Tarrant will share the heartfelt story behind his new book For the Love of Bears and Helen Lederer will talk all about her memoir Not That I’m Bitter at this year’s Harrogate Literature Festival.
Off The Shelf Festival of Words
10TH OCTOBER–10TH NOVEMBER
Across Sheffield
offtheshelf.org.uk
Off The Shelf is bringing the best local, national and international literary talent to Sheffield. Don’t miss historian and presenter Lucy Worsley on the fascinating history of Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire and actress Alison Steadman on her memoir about everything from Abigail’s Party to Gavin and Stacey.
