The First Authors Are Here – Yeovil Literary Festival 2026 Is One You Won't Want to Miss

Yeovil Literary Festival is thrilled to be returning for another year this October, and 2026 is already shaping up to be another triumph! The first fourteen authors were revealed on Friday and, if they're anything to go by, this year's festival promises an outstanding programme.

Authors, from well-known bestsellers and exciting up-and-coming voices to much-loved household names, will join us at Yeovil Literary Festival from Thursday 22 to Monday 27 October, with events taking place at Westlands Entertainment Venue.

If you want to get in on the action early, Yeovil Library will be hosting events on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 October. Before the festival officially begins, don't miss our special pre-festival event at St John's Church in the town centre. International bestselling author John Boyne will be talking all about his new novel, The Weight of Angels, on Wednesday 14 October at 7pm – a highlight of this year's festival that fans won't want to miss.

Among the first fourteen authors to be announced is Yeovil Literary Festival favourite Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock. Maggie will be returning to Yeovil to discuss her new book, James Webb's Ancient Cosmos, taking audiences on a journey back in time to explore the creation and formation of our solar system, galaxies and other fascinating structures within the universe.

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt will be discussing his new book, Can We Be Rich Again, which sets out a credible case for optimism when it comes to the future of Britain's economy.

Su Pollard will join us on Thursday 22 October to discuss her engaging autobiography, Fully Charged. Until now, Su has been very guarded about her personal life but has decided it's finally time to let fans see the real her.

BBC journalist Frank Gardner became a Sunday Times bestselling author with his first thriller, Crisis. He will join us at Yeovil Literary Festival to discuss his second novel, Ballistic, which takes its main character, SIS operative Luke Carlton, from the frozen wastes of the Russian Arctic to the warm, azure waters of the Caribbean.

The festival line-up also includes national treasure and broadcaster Anneka Rice, author and publisher Jon Woolcott, retail expert Mary Portas, and Professor Dame Sue Black.

October will be here before we know it, and Yeovil will once again become a hub for book lovers. We simply can't wait! If any of the events mentioned above take your fancy, click here to book your tickets and explore more of the incredible line-up announced so far. Alternatively, please call us on 01935 422884, where a member of the team will be more than happy to help you book over the phone.

Plenty more authors are set to be announced, so keep your eyes on the Yeovil Literary Festival website and our social media channels for the latest news and announcements.