The Guernsey Literary Festival has unveiled the first wave of speakers for its 2026 programme, promising another richly varied line-up of authors, thinkers and performers when the Festival returns next Spring.
The 2026 programme will feature award-winning novelist Joanne Harris; acclaimed scientist and founder of ZOE, Tim Spector; BBC broadcaster Sophie Raworth; the unofficial ‘Poet Laureate of the Internet’ Brian Bilston; bestselling historian Professor Tracy Borman OBE and award-winning children’s writer and illustrator Lauren Child.
Comedian and author Cally Beaton; music journalist David Hepworth; bestselling nature writer Tristan Gooley; TV presenter and gardening writer Kate Bradbury and Shaun Usher, curator of the viral Letters Live series, have also been confirmed as speakers alongside local writing talent.
The line-up so far brings together a diverse mix of voices from the world of art, literature, science, politics, sport, history, poetry, music and comedy for the Festival, which will take place from 24 April to 3 May next year.
Festival Director Claire Allen said: “We hope announcing these early events will give people a taste of the energy and variety that we are bringing to the 2026 Festival. We’re thrilled to be welcoming such a brilliant group of writers, thinkers and performers to Guernsey.
“We’re also thrilled to support the National Year of Reading in 2026. Books open doors to our passions, helping us explore what we love in greater depth. Reading isn’t a solo sport — it’s a way to connect, learn and discover the world around us. We can’t wait to celebrate the joy of books and reading for pleasure as part of next year’s Festival.”
The full 2026 Festival programme, including writing workshops, family and school events as well as community engagement and outreach activities, will be unveiled in the new year alongside details of the WriteStuff competition for students in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
The 2026 line-up so far:
- Professor Tracy Borman OBE – The bestselling author, historian and broadcaster will discuss the fascinating history of the Boleyn family, to celebrate The House of Boleyn, her upcoming novel.
- Cally Beaton – The comedian, broadcaster and writer presents Namaste Motherf*ckers, her part-memoir, part stereotype-defying manifesto. A funny, empowering and practical book that takes an irreverent look at her own story of radical midlife reinvention.
- Brian Bilston – One of the UK’s most hilarious and best-loved poets, takes us through the hows, whys and whats of reading, writing and enjoying poetry every day.
- Kate Bradbury (pictured) – TV presenter and award-winning gardening writer shares her memoir, One Garden Against the World, a call to action for all of us – gardeners, communities and individuals – to do more for wildlife and more for the climate.
- Lauren Child – 25 years since the first Charlie & Lola book I will not ever never eat a tomato? The award-winning illustrator and author of the best-selling children’s series hosts an interactive, immersive tea party experience.
- Tristan Gooley – The natural navigator and Sunday Times bestselling author introduces The Hidden Seasons, revealing how to read the clues that the sun, moon, stars, plants, fungi, animals, water and weather give us – but that we continually miss, because we don’t know how and where to look.
- David Hepworth – The broadcaster, music historian and bestselling author of Abbey Road shares the story of how enduring rock icons like Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen and many more have remained in the ever-changing music game in his latest book Hope I Get Old Before I Die.
- Joanne Harris – The million-copy bestselling author returns to the world of Chocolat with the long-awaited story of Vianne, which begins six years before she opens her scandalous chocolaterie in the small French village of Lansquenet.
- Sophie Raworth – From the BBC news to the Marathon des Sables, one of the UK’s most recognisable broadcasters shares Running on Air, an inspiring account of endurance, motivation and pushing past limits.
- Tim Spector – The world-leading scientist and bestselling author discusses Ferment, his latest exploration of gut health, microbiome science and the surprising power of simple fermented foods.
- Shaun Usher – The bestselling curator of Letters of Note shares Diaries of Note, 366 of the most noteworthy diary entries ever written, one for each day of the leap year, each authored by a different notable individual.
