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Yorkshire writers in spotlight at Ilkley Literature Festival

Wednesday, 23 September 2026 11:43

North Yorkshire Moors Railway's Paul 'Piglet' Middleton and Keighley author and award-winning food writer Shahnaz Ahsan.

Yorkshire's literary talent will take centre stage when Ilkley Literature Festival returns next month, with a third of this year's authors having links to the county.

The festival will welcome writers, poets and broadcasters throughout October, including several well-known names who were born, live or have strong connections to Yorkshire.

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage will return to Ilkley on 17th October to launch his new verse translation of the ancient epic poem Gilgamesh.

Keighley author and award-winning food writer Shahnaz Ahsan will discuss her new book, The Jackfruit Chronicles, on 10th October, exploring Bengali food through family recipes and memories.

York-raised Booker Prize-shortlisted novelist Fiona Mozley will also appear, while Barnsley poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan returns with his new collection, Red River Valley.

Hull's Great British Bake Off winner Nancy Birtwhistle and North Yorkshire Moors Railway's Paul 'Piglet' Middleton are among the other Yorkshire names on the programme.

Erica Morris, Chief Executive of Word Up North, who produces the festival, said:

“Ilkley Literature Festival attracts nationally and internationally acclaimed writers every year, but with such a wealth of home-grown literary talent here in Yorkshire, we are proud to champion local writers too.

“This year one third of the authors appearing at the festival are from, live in or have strong connections to Yorkshire, which is pretty remarkable.”

The wider programme includes appearances from Kate Atkinson, Joanne Harris, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Tom Hindle and Jasper Fforde.

Ilkley Literature Festival has been part of the county's cultural calendar for more than 50 years and is the North's longest-running literary festival.

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