Next week is Guernsey Literary Festival week, the culmination of two months of events in what has become one of the biggest arts events in the Channel Islands.

Over the next week, Guernsey audiences will be able to listen to talks by Jack Dee, Richard Dawkins, top UK judge Dame Lady Hale, as well as novelists Nadifa Mohamed, Jacquie Bloese and Kate Rhodes, poet Michael Symmons Roberts, travel and mental health writer Horatio Clare, memoir author Cathy Rentzenbrink, founder of Virgin Unite Jean Oelwang, top sci-fi writer Adrian Tchaikovsky, forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd, natural history writers Dara McAnulty and Dave Goulson, and journalist/writer Jonathan Freedland. 

In fact there are no fewer than 50 events organised for the week, as well as  writing workshops and an Ebenezer Le Page art exhibition by Charlie Buchanan and a wine tasting event with drinks writer Rob Buckhaven. Festival honorary chairman, Terry Waite will be recalling engaging moments from his live through some of his readings and poetry, with illustrative music played by pianist Matthew Rickard.

Family  events include authors Jodie Lancet-Grant, Hannah Gold and Huw Lewis Jones and there is also an educational programme of events taking place in schools throughout the week with several children’s writers including Michael Rosen.

The Guernsey Literary Festival, the tenth organised, has already staged events involving Anthony Horowitz and Simon Armitage. Wild swimmer Kate Rew is coming in September and Yorkshire shepherdess Amanda Owen is coming in October 

Some events have already sold out, but there are still tickets available for many – full details and tickets can be obtained from the Festival website, guerneyliteraryfestival.com.

The Guernsey Literary Festival gives readers the chance to meet and listen to the writers of some of their favourite books. Most importantly, it means they do this without having to go off island.

‘One of the great things about a Festival like this,’ says Festival Director Claire Allen, ‘is that It also gives readers the chance to go to writers they wouldn’t have previously considered. A festival creates a buzz and before you know it you find yourself going into an event by someone you don’t know -- and then you’re hooked.’

‘My advice is to take a look at our programme – and just dive in!’

Over the years, the Festival has increasingly involved local writers, and this year that has expanded as more talented writers who live in the island or have Guernsey connections have landed publishing deals.  Talented young writers have already had their chance to shine in the Festival’s very popular Writestuff competition.

The Guernsey Literary Festival is a registered charity and is planned, organised and run entirely by volunteers. Financial support comes from important sponsorship as well as from ticket sales.