It’s bound to be a page turner … the inaugural Whitby Lit Fest will take place on Thursday 6th, Friday 7th, Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th November 2025.
Over 50 authors will take part in venues across Whitby and tickets are now on sale
Why not see if you can stay with us here at the Riviera Guesthouse?
Our family run guesthouse is within easy reach of all the venues.
Headliners include Lee Child, Rob Rinder, Sir Alan Ayckbourn, Miriam Margolyes, Lucinda Hawksley, Shaun Usher, Steph McGovern, Anna Mazzola, and Yvette Fielding.
The ‘list of contents’ doesn’t stop there: the event is set to include Rob Cowen, Belinda Bauer, Steve Mosby (Alex North), Abir Mukherjee, and Vaseem Kan.
There’s also James Bailey, Essie Fox, Jo Moseley, Sara Barnes, Rowan Coleman, Jess Kitching, Rebeka Russell, Richard Benson and Adelle Stripe, Paul Armfield, and Amy Jeffs.
Other authors include Kathy Biggs, Rob Stepney, Liz Hyder, Donna Moore, Joshua Fletcher, Paul Magrs, Barry Ryan, Amanda Mason.
Additional guests include Ann Dinsdale, Sharon Wright, Julie Akhurst, Rose George, Emma Carroll, Wendy Pratt, Bob Beagrie, and Harry Gallagher.
A Word from the Chair
Lois Kirtlan, Committee Chair of the Whitby Lit Fest, said: “From the haunting ruins of Whitby Abbey to its rich history of storytelling, Whitby is ripe for its own literary festival.
“The coastal town is famed for its dramatic coastline, gothic heritage, and literary ties to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It’s a fitting backdrop to inspire authors and book lovers alike.
“We’re really proud of the incredible line-up we’ve secured for the inaugural festival, and can’t wait to give everyone a warm Whitby welcome.
“Autumn is a beautiful time of year to experience Whitby, and there can’t be anything better than escaping to the seaside with the promise of a good book fish and chips, and to meet like-minds.”
While the list of authors and speakers is varied and tempting, the festival includes a number of themes including local interest talks.
There will also be interviews and discussions; fiction writing; live music; nature and the environment; non-fiction; poetry and spoken word; and a selection of workshops.
In more detail, ticket prices apply, subject to availability.
Thursday November 6th
Suzanne Elvidge – Writing Workshop: Writing Monologues That Speak to an Audience
Rusty Shears, Silver Street, Whitby, 10am
Suzanne will guide you through creating a monologue, a story with a single voice, from idea to draft.
The Shipping Forecast: Rob Stepney and Kathy Biggs
Whitby Mission and Seafarers Centre, Haggersgate, Whitby, 11am
A discussion about the beloved Shipping Forecast, which so many of us listen too, ‘weather’ we are on the ocean wave or tucked up in bed.
Last Night I Dreamt I Went to Whitby Again: Rebeka Russell and Dr Katherine Cooper
Quayside 7 Pier Road, Whitby, 1pm
Rebecka set up her independent publishing company Manderley Press in 2021, specialising in literary classics in distinctive settings.
Horror, Humour and the Hand of Glory: Bob Beagrie and Bob Fischer
Whitby Museum, Pannett Park, Whitby, 1pm
This event will take a closer look at Freeborough Hill Folklore located close to the A171 near Whitby.
The Holy Trinity (Plot, Place and Character): Creative Writing Workshops with Bestselling Author, David Mark
Whitby Library, Windsor Terrace, Whitby 2pm.
Focusing on plot, place and character, David helps writers tell their stories in an encouraging environment.
New Blood: Stoker’s Undying Legacy: Gavin Collinson, Amanda Mason and Leticia Lentini
Whitby Mission and Seafarers Centre, Haggersgate, Whitby, 3pm
Join Gavin who worked on the 1977 BBC version of Dracula.
The Restless Coast: Roger Morgan Grenville
Quayside, 7 Pier Road, Whitby, 3pm
Ex-soldier, story teller, and seaside crusader talking about his latest book.
Through a Lynchian Lens: John Higgs
Hetty & Betty, 7 Baxtergate, Whitby 5pm
Here, author John Higgs explores the appeal of David Lynch.
Between the Covers: Paul Armfield
Eighteen91 Brunswick Street, Whitby, 5pm
Folk singing book seller form the Isle of Wight,.
The Meaning of Life: James Bailey and Joshua Fletcher
Eighteen91 Brunswick Street, Whitby, 7pm
An inspiring discussion which is bound to be fascinating.
Friday November 7th
Older, Bolder, Colder: Jo Moseley and Sara Barnes
Whitby Museum Pannett Park, Whitby, 10am
Jo Moseley is the first woman to paddleboard from coast to coast.
Poetry Writing Workshop: Harry Gallagher
Whitby Library, Windsor Terrace, Whitby, 11am
Novice, amateur or professional, this workshop is themed around coastal history.
And How Does That Make You Feel? Joshua Fletcher
Eighteen91, Brunswick Street, Whitby, 11.30am
The psychotherapist’s coach awaits!
Filling a Heart-Shaped Hole: The Romance Panel: Rowan Coleman, Jess Kitching; Jenna Warren
Whitby Mission and Seafarers Centre, Haggersgate, Whitby, 12pm
Sunday Time best-selling author Rowan who lives in Scarborough will discuss her latest novel.
The Ghost Lake: Wendy Pratt
Quayside, 7 Pier Road, Whitby, 12.30pm
Local poet Wendy talks about her 2024 memoir The Ghost Lake.
Verses (we’ve forgotten, by) Voices (you’ll remember).
Whitby Mission and Seafarers Centre, Haggersgate, Whitby 2pm
The 1950s, 1960s and 1970s were arguably the greatest era for poetry … discover some of the best poetry around.
Gothic Tales: Essie Fox in conversation with Amanda Mason
Crafty Cove, 2 to 4 Wellington Road, Whitby, 3pm.
Essie’s latest novel Dangerous: A Lord Byron Mystery has been lauded by critics.
North Yorkshire Women Poets: and Music by the Marigolds
Quayside, 7 Pier Road, Whitby, 3.30pm
Wendy Pratt, Rowena Somerville and Charlotte Oliver perform.
Red Hot Crime Writer: Abir Mukherjee and Vaseem Kahn
Whitby Mission and Seafarers Centre, Haggersgate, Whitby, 4pm
Vaseem is the author of an award-winning crime series set in India. He’s also brought to life a spin off series about Q, a James Bond character.
Scream Queen: Yvette Fielding
Eighteen91, Brunswick Street, Whitby, 5pm
This former Blue Peter presenter has chosen Whitby to be the setting for her latest children’s book.
Diaries of Note 366 Lives, One Day at a Time: Shaun Usher
Eighteen91, Brunswick Street, Whitby, 7pm
This literary phenomenon will doubtless have the audience spellbound.
Saturday November 8th
Great Expectations: Barbara Havelock and Lucinda Hawksley
Whitby Museum, Pannett Park, Whitby, 10am
A discussion about Miss Havisham, one of Dickens’ most enigmatic characters.
How To Raise A Happy ADHD Child: Jessie Hewitson
Eighteen91, Brunswick Street, Whitby, 10am
Informative, empowering, empathetic … see this award-winning journalist in Whitby.
The Working-Class Library: Live Podcast with Special Guest Author Adelle Stripe.
Coliseum Centre, Victoria Place, Whitby, 10am
Join Richard Benson and Claire Malcolm for this investigation into working class contributions to English Literature.
Upon A White Horse: Peter Ross
Quayside, 7 Pier Road, Whitby, 10am
A discussion about Peter’s book featuring Britain and Ireland’s prehistoric sites.
Create a Netflix Series in an Hour: Writing Workshop for Teens: Liz Hyder
Whitby Library, Windsor Terrace, Whitby, 11am
Teenagers, needing only their imagination, are invited to join writer and workshop leader Liz Hyder.
On the Road: Rob Cowen and Jenn Ashworth
Eighteen91, Brunswick Street, Whitby, 11.30am
Rob Cowen’s latest book, The North Road has attracted astonishing acclaim and Rob’s in Whitby to discuss his work.
Life on Magrs: Paul Magrs
Eighteen91, Brunswick Street, Whitby, 1.30pm
Cult writer Paul Magrs discusses his writing career.
Old Songs, Stories of Love and Death: A musical afternoon with Amy Jeffs, Gwen Burns and Natalie Brice
Coliseum Centre, Victoria Place, Whitby, 2pm
Combining forces to create a rich compendium of mystery, magic and humanity.
Forgotten Women of History Fight Back: Anna Mazzola, Liz Hyder and Donna Moore
Quayside, 7 Pier Road, Whitby, 2pm
A journey through time and space, delving into stories that reclaim women from the footnotes of history.
The Little Book of Miriam: Miriam Margoyles
Whitby Spa Pavilion Theatre, West Cliff, Whitby, 3pm.
Outrageously funny, a national treasure, an award-winning actress.
Vampish Tales: Emma Carroll
Whitby Museum, Pannett Park, Whitby, 3pm
This best selling author pens books for readers aged 9+ and has written a brand new adventure about three cousins who discover they are descendents of Dracula.
Black Wood Women and the History of Gothic Fiction
Crafty Cove, 2 to 4 Wellington Street, Whitby, 3pm
Join author Dr Michael Stewart and Dr Claire O’Callaghan about gothic fiction.
Deadline: Steph McGovern
Eighteen91, Brunswick Street, Whitby, 5pm.
Steph is now an acclaimed author having worked on BBC Radio in the past.
The Man Behind the Stories: Lee Child and Rob Rinder
Whitby Spa Pavilion Theatre, West Cliff, Whitby, 7pm
The creator of Jack Reacher, brought to the screen by Tom Cruise will be in conversation with Rob Rinder.
What The Dickens? Author Dinner with Lucinda Hawksley
White Horse and Griffin, 87 Church Street, Whitby, from 7pm.
Lucinda is a descendant of Dickers and this delicious repast will be served at the very place where her ancestor stayed while visiting Whitby.
Sunday November 9th
Outrageous: The Mitford Letter: Rob Rinder and Leticia Lentini
Eighteen91, Brunswick Street, Whitby, 11am
The fascination with the Mitford Sisters burns bright … the ‘it’ girls of the 20th Century … and then some.
Noreen Nasim: The Journey Behind ‘Being Expelled from Uganda’
Whitby Mission & Seafarers Mission, Haggersgate, Whitby, 12.30pm
An engaging and emotive session offering personal reflection from Noreen tracing the journey of her father’s expulsion from Uganda in 1972.
Walking on Eggshells: Belinda Bauer and Steve Mosby
Whitby Museum, Pannett Park, Whitby, 1pm
Her works have been described as ‘solid gold’, ‘extraordinary’, and more.
Julie Noble: Writing Workshop
Rusty Shears , Silver Street Whitby, 1pm.
Every Last Fish: Rose George
Quayside 7 Pier Road Whitby 2pm
Rose has written for the New York Times, Guardian and Independent and here she discusses the impact the fishing industry has made.
Let Me In: The Brontes in Bricks and Mortar: Sharon Wright, Ann Dinsdale and Julie Akhurst
Whitby Mission & Seafarers Centre, Haggersgate, Whitby, 3pm
The Bronte Sisters lives among wild moors and their imaginations have left us with a wonderful literary legacy. This event will include conversation about the buildings that inspired the Brontes.
Sir Alan Ayckbourn in conversation with Kate Fenton
Eighteen91, Brunswick Street, Whitby, 5pm
Former BBC Radio 4 producer in conversation with one of Britain’s best playwrights.
Discover other events taking place in Whitby.
