More than 50 events have been lined up for a four day celebration of books and literature in the town which has inspired writers for hundreds of years.
Whitby Lit-Fest, which returns in November following a highly successful debut last year, this week confirmed its line up and headline authors, ahead of tickets going on sale and the programme going live on August 31.
The event runs from November 19 to 22 and will feature bestselling authors, broadcasters, actors, historians, poets and performers.
Headliners include, John Boyne, whose The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas has sold more than 11 million copies worldwide. He’ll be discussing his new novel, The Weight of Angels, with broadcaster and novelist, Steph McGovern.
Hairy Biker Si King cooks up a storm with his first solo cookbook, Proper Home Cooking, while discussing his remarkable career taking food and friendship on the road.
Journalists turned authors are also out in force. BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin teases her upcoming thriller, and BBC news anchor turned psychologist Dr Sian Williams discusses her book, The Power of Anxiety. Channel 4 news presenter and award-winning foreign correspondent Alex Thomson puts political commentator Peter Oborne in the spotlight, with his latest book, Complicit.
One of the world’s most successful crime writers, the Vera and Shetlands creator – Ann Cleeves features as does this year’s Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Diamond Dagger winner Mark Billingham features.
The novelist, former BBC radio producer and Whitby resident, Kate Fenton, is Patron of Whitby Lit Fest.
She said: “We always suspected the quirky, gothic charms of Whitby would attract bookworms. Even so, no-one could have predicted the instant, sell-out success of our very first Lit Fest last year.
“And this November’s line-up is, if anything, even more exciting. Four days crammed with gripping stories, sparky conversations and revealing interviews. Entertainment, inspiration, wit, wisdom – and fish and chips. What more could any book lover want?”
Matt Baker explores the journey from page to screen with Emmy-award winning David Quantick. Baker is behind a string of TV shows including Channel 4’s Patience, and ITV’s A Taste for Murder – also his debut novel.
Actor Greta Scacchi will share the books behind her screen career, alongside a discussion with arts journalist Jasper Rees, exploring his new official memoir of Michael Gambon, who she shared the stage and screen with.
Topics range from the dramatic fall of the former Prince Andrew, with royal biographer Andrew Lownie, to the revival of a literary legacy – the Cazalet Chronicles – with author Louisa Young, and how to look bolder, not older, with TV’s Ten-Years Younger presenter Nicky Hambleton-Jones. Helen Bain brings her debut, Daffodil Days, which reimagines the lives of poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath. The Earl of Harewood, David Lascelles, shares his father’s story as a Nazi prisoner at Colditz.
It would be remiss to have a literary festival in Whitby without a nod to its prowess in gothic story-telling.
Leading writers of gothic fiction, ghost stories and folk horror, include Joanne Harris, Laura Purcell, Jess Kidd, Amanda Mason, Lucie McKnight Hardy and Essie Fox.
The coast too features, of course, as historian Alistair Moffat presents his pilgrimage of the North Sea, Jess Kidd introduces her seaside sleuth series, Sally Coulthard presents a Brief History of the Coast in 100 Objects, and metal detectorists Eleanor Bruce and Lucilla Gray share their finds.
Dominic Gregory also brings his memoir, Lifeboat at the End of the World. Whitby’s much-loved Heritage Sculpture Trail, the Wirefolk of Whitby, features with sculptor Emma Stothard and writer Tim Kelly.
There will be an exploration of Yorkshire’s Amazing Dinosaur Coast with geologist Roger Osborne and dinosaur-artist James McKay, horror from Jack Mackay, and young adult authors, Naomi Kelsey and Heather Askwith.
Lois Kirtlan, Chair of Whitby Lit Fest, said: “Following the huge success of our inaugural Lit Fest last year, I’m delighted that the team has once again pulled together such a fabulous and diverse line-up for this year’s festival. We’re also incredibly proud to have been awarded charitable status, which gives Whitby Lit Fest a strong foundation for the future.
“We want the festival to continue to become an important part of Whitby’s cultural calendar for many years to come. We’re encouraging local businesses and individuals to get behind us and help make that possible. There are a range of sponsorship opportunities available, and donations can also be made through our website. Every contribution, large or small, will help us build on the success of the festival and secure its future.”
