Hidden Gems To Watch Out For At Isle Of Wight Literary Festival

The 14th Isle of Wight Literary Festival returns to Northwood House in Cowes from October 9–12, featuring headline names such as Gyles Brandreth, Prue Leith, Helen Lederer, Sue Barker, and Cath Kidston.

But several other authors, covering topics from crime to royalty, sailing to comedy, are also set to impress.

Here are seven standout authors not to miss:

1. Loretta Rothschild

Her debut novel, Finding Grace, is a gripping and emotional love story exploring grief, motherhood, and a shocking secret. Named one of Goodreads’ hottest debuts of 2025, it has been praised by Jodi Picoult as “tender and heartbreaking” and drew significant interest from US publishers.

2. Grant Harrold

The Royal Butler is among the most revealing royal autobiographies of the year. Grant shares stories from Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, and others, tracing his journey from a working-class Scottish boy to butler to the King and Queen.

3. Lissa Evans

Picnic on Craggy Island is a memoir from the TV comedy producer behind Father Ted. Her talk, From Craggy Island to Dimperley, charts her transition to a successful author, with recognition including a longlisting for The Orange Prize and a book adaptation starring Bill Nighy.

4. Martin Edwards

Award-winning novelist and editor Martin Edwards presents Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife, a unique Christmas puzzle mystery. A leading expert on festive crime stories, he has edited five bestselling collections for the British Library and won multiple Daggers and Edgar Awards.

5. Karen Phillipps

Get Carman tells the extraordinary story of George Carman QC, one of Britain’s most famous lawyers. From defending Jeremy Thorpe to representing high-profile clients including Ken Dodd, Richard Branson, and Elton John, Karen Phillipps brings his remarkable career to life in conversation with Lord Grade of Yarmouth.

6. Magnus Wheatley

There Is No Second recounts the first race around the Isle of Wight in 1851 for the ‘RYS £100 Cup’, which became the America’s Cup after the yacht America triumphed over the British fleet. Wheatley, a former Financial Times yachting correspondent, offers the definitive account of this historic event.

7. Harriet Cullen

In Lady Pamela Berry – Passion, Politics and Power, Harriet Cullen explores the extraordinary life of her mother through family diaries, letters, and unpublished sources. Lady Pamela used her position as a newspaper proprietor’s wife to become a prominent political and press hostess, influencing successive governments with her wit and charm.

Tickets for all festival events are now on sale HERE.