Whitby Lit Festival Announces First Authors for 2026 Line-Up

Ann Cleeves OBE, Joanne Harris OBE, Dr Sian Williams, and Mark Billingham are the first cohort announced.

Ann Cleeves is famed for the Vera Stanhope series, adapted by ITV starring Brenda Blethyn and her Jimmy Perez Shetland novels, adapted by the BBC starring Douglas Henshall. Ann, who lives in Whitley Bay, has won numerous awards for her books, and an OBE for her services to reading and libraries. Her new book, The Dying Light, is from her Devon-set Detective Matthew Venn series, published in October.

Barnsley-born Joanne Harris OBE is best known for her 1999 novel Chocolat, which was adapted into a film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. Since, she has written over 30 books and her new novel, Sleepers in the Snow is published in October 2026.

Dr Sian Williams is an award-winning broadcaster and charted counselling psychologist.

Sian has spent 40 years in TV and radio, hosting BBC Breakfast for over a decade and currently presents BBC Radio 4’s Life Changing and BBC Radio 3’s Classical Unwind.

Sian’s psychology work focuses on acute anxiety, stress, and trauma, and she has worked with Prince William in his support of mental health for the emergency services. She works for the NHS and in private practice. Her first book Rise: Surviving and Thriving After Trauma drew on her own experience through breast cancer. Her latest book, The Power of Anxiety published this month combines expert research, case studies, and personal stories to offer a practical guide to harnessing anxiety.

Born in Birmingham, Mark Billingham worked as an actor and stand-up comedian and continues to be a regular face and voice on TV and radio. Mark is best known for his Detective Tom Thorne series, which was adapted to screen by Sky in 2010, starring David Morrissey as Thorne. The latest Thorne book, What the Night Brings, is released in paperback this March.

More authors will be announced in the coming months, with the full programme set to reflect the festival’s commitment to showcasing both bestselling and emerging talent.

The debut festival exceeded expectations, drawing large audiences, welcoming acclaimed writers, and establishing Whitby as an exciting new destination on the UK’s literary calendar.

Building on the momentum of 2025, organisers promise an exciting and diverse programme for 2026. The 2026 launch event was held at the Lit Fest HQ, Hetty & Betty, keeping the quirky uniqueness of the Whitby Lit Fest being the UK’s only Lit Fest with its HQ based in a restaurant famous for the Fish and Chips Afternoon Tea.

Kate Fenton, Patron of the Whitby Lit Fest, also announced Sir Alan Ayckbourn CBE as the new Honorary Co-Patron. Sir Alan had closed the inaugural 2025 Lit Fest at an “in conversation” event with Kate Fenton.

Sir Alan said: “I’m delighted to be asked to become co-patron of this exciting new project. This festival promises to provide fresh blood to fill the literary veins of Whitby in a way unequalled since the days of Bram Stoker!”

Whitby Lit Fest Chair, Lois Kirtlan said: “We were delighted by the response and enthusiasm to the first Whitby Lit Fest in 2025. The energy, enthusiasm, and support from audiences, authors, and the local community were truly inspiring. For 2026, we’re expanding the programme and are thrilled to begin announcing what promises to be an exceptional line-up.”

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Whitby’s coastline and historic streets, the festival will once again host author talks, panel discussions, workshops, book signings, and special events across multiple venues in the town.

Whitby Lit Festival continues to champion accessibility and inclusivity, aiming to bring readers and writers together in a welcoming and vibrant cultural celebration.

Early announcements, updates, and exclusive content will be available via the festival’s website and social media channels.

Tickets and full programme details will be released in summer 2026.