The autumn festival returns with a must-see line up of 400+ events.

The world's longest-running literature festival continues to lead the way in celebrating the written and spoken word. With a jam-packed programme over 10 days, this year it brings together the best new voices in fiction and poetry alongside literary greats, stars of stage and screen, incisive political thinkers, plus a vibrant family and schools programme, performances and literary happenings scattered across the town.

There's something for everyone, with an extensive Ficion programme, and discussion of Current Affairs, Classic Literature and History. The festival will host stars from the worlds of Art and Design, Entertainment, Sport, Travel and Adventure, Nature, Science and more.

Many favourite children’s and Young Adult authors will be at the Festival, entertaining families and young people in a packed programme. Taking on the role of Guest Curator for the family and schools strand this year is comic book creator Jamie Smart, of bestselling series Bunny Vs. Monkey, who has co-curated 20 events and workshops to inspire young festival goers to have a go themselves.  Artists include Neill Cameron, of The Phoenix comic and creator of Donut Squad, Ramzee, Laura Ellen Andersen and Vivian Truong.

FULL PROGRAMME GUESTS

Alan Davies | Alan Hollinghurst | Alayo Akinkugbe | Alice Oseman | Ami Bouhassane | Ann Cleeves | Ash Sarkar | Ashley Roberts | Ayesha Hazarika | Ben Elton | Bora Chung | Brenda Hale | Caroline Hirons | Cass Sunstein | Charlie Mackesy | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Chloe Dalton | Chris Bryant | Claudia Hammond | Deborah Meaden | David Runciman | David Suchet | Dharshini David | Diana Henry | Ebony Rainford-Brent | Ed Davey | Ed Docx Emma Barnett | Emma Jane Unsworth | Fawaz Gerges | Georgi Gospodinov | Giuliano da Empoli | GK Barry | Graham Norton | Hallie Rubenhold | Hamza Yassin | Hollie McNish | Horatio Clare | Huey Morgan | Iain Dale | Ian McEwan | Ivo Graham | James Bloodworth | Jasmine Gardosi | Jens Stoltenberg | Jeremy Hunt | Jeremy Vine | Joanna Lumley | Joanna Page | John Sergeant | Jojo Moyes | Jordan Stephens | Jung Chang Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason | Kaliane Bradley | Kataryna Wolczuk | Kate Mosse | Katie Piper | Kavita Puri | Ken Follett | Larry Lamb | Laura Bates | Lily King | Liv Little | Lizzie Damilola Blackburn | Lyse Doucet | Mai Mochizuki | Mark Billingham | Mark Cavendish Mark Kermode | Martin Parr | Mary Beard | Mary Portas | Matt Tebbutt | Max Porter | Michael Morpurgo | Michael Palin | Mick Herron | Mike Atherton | Miles Jupp | Miriam Margolyes | Mizuki Tsujimura | Natalie Haynes | Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin | Nick Clegg Nicola Dinan | Nigel Slater | Nussaibah Younis | Oti Mabuse | Penny Lancaster | Peter Frankopan | Poorna Bell | Rachel Joyce | Raymond Blanc | Richard Osman | Robin Niblett | Romy Gill | Rowan Williams | Rupy Aujla | Saad Mohseni | Samantha Harvey Sarah Vine | Sebastian Faulks | Shon Faye | Simon Armitage | Stuart Maconie | Tim Davie | Tim Marshall | Tony Robinson | Tulisa Contostavlos | William Hague 

GUEST CURATORS

Amy Jeffs | Ann Morgan | Geoff Dyer | Jamie Smart | Oyinkan Braithwaite | Tracy Borman 

FAMILY AND YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMME

Stephen and Anita Mangan | Alice Oseman | MC Grammar | Michael Rosen | Cressida Cowell Dapo Adeola | Hugh Bonneville | Anna James | Jeffrey Boakye | Neill Cameron | Rose Ayling-Ellis | A. F. Steadman | Rob Biddulph | Tweedy the Clown