Whitby to host first-ever literature festival

Whitby Lit Fest could boost tourism during the town's quiet season, it is hoped

A new festival will take place to celebrate Whitby's literary history and promote local writing talent

Whitby Lit Fest will be a four-day event held in November 2025, for novelists, poets and playwrights to showcase their work.

Inspired by the harbour town's connections to famous writers, North Yorkshire Council hopes the festival will help boost tourism later in the year.

Venues in the area have been encouraged to get involved ahead of next year.

Perhaps best known for its connection to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Whitby has many other literary associations, from Lewis Carol and Charles Dickens to the poetry of Caedmon and the works of Elizabeth Gaskell.

The festival will also aim to promote emerging talent and young writers

Lois Kirtlan, who manages Hetty and Betty café, has been appointed as festival director.

"Six years ago I started my business in Whitby and it struck me that there was no literature festival," she said.

"It seemed a little odd that a town so steeped in literary heritage wouldn’t hold its own literature festival."

She said she had had conversations about starting a festival a few years ago, but the pandemic stopped it coming to fruition.

However, she has since created a steering group to make Whitby Lit Fest a reality.

'Promote emerging talent'

Part of the group is outreach librarian and local writer, Adele Duffield, who added: "I’m so pleased we are finally going to have a literature festival in Whitby.

"Inspiring youngsters and providing a space for emerging writers to be promoted alongside established authors is a truly worthwhile cause."

She said a junior writing competition had been proposed, where organisers would work with local schools to find "tomorrow's greatest authors".

"This festival is a perfect stage to promote emerging talent," Ms Duffield added.

An event at Hetty and Betty will be held on 8 November, for any local businesses or venues to find out more on how to get involved.

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