Clare Balding and Susie Dent at Isle of Wight Literary Festival

The festival ran from October 3 to 6 and featured beloved writers letting the audience into their processes and the story behind the stories.

Stars included Clare Balding, Susie Dent, Gyles Brandreth, Robert Hardman, David Hepworth and Eric Knowles.

Broadcaster Clare Balding took to the stage with friend and Island resident Anneka Rice, where they talked through her new book, Isle of Dogs.

Clare, a lifelong lover of dogs, spoke about the benefits of dogs for mental well-being and the dogs of her life.

Clare Balding and Anneka Rice in conversation at Cowes Enterprise College (Image: IWCP)

She also told some anecdotes about when Queen Elizabeth II visited her family home for breakfast growing up, which her father only sometimes remembered to warn her and her siblings.

Clare finished by talking about feeling emotional at Andy Murray's retirement this summer, and the joys of broadcasting during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Lexicographer Susie Dent gave visitors food for thought when talking through her debut novel, Guilty by Definition.

Susie Dent in conversation with Alan Titchmarsh (Image: IWCP)

Susie is famed for her residency in Countdown's Dictionary Corner, verifying the words of gameshow contestants for 32 years.

Guilty by Definition is her first foray into fiction, with the plot hinging upon a letter sent to Clarendon English Dictionary linking to a significant year for Martha, the senior editor.

Susie sat down with broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh to talk about the differences between fiction and non-fiction, as well as revealing insider information about Countdown.

She also revealed her all-time favourite word - halcyon.

The stage at Northwood House's Ballroom (Image: IWCP)

David Hepworth gave a talk and presentation revealing some of the findings from his new book Hope I Get Old Before I Die: Why Rock Stars Never Retire.

The music journalist, broadcaster, and author gave a mini-lecture on the middle age and end of rock stars' careers.

He mused upon the idea of stardom, citing Live Aid as the turning point when older bands were lauded as heroes and given new status.

Isle of Wight County Press columnist Josh Barry with Gyles Brandreth (Image: Contributed)

Explaining the story of how the aging process of rock stars has changed, he made insightful points about how audiences partly only want to look at rock stars, as well as how the audience of concerts has changed since the 1980s.

David made the show contemporary by relating it to the modern age and current rows around ticket prices, before opening up the floor to questions.

Josh Barry with Eric Knowles (Image: Contributed)

The festival, which has been running since 2012, also featured a LitFeast event, combining food with literature.

House's Matt Egan led a workshop with the Butcher Shop, showing guests how to make the most out of a chicken in an hour.

Josh Barry with Robert Hardman (Image: Contributed)

There was also wine tasting, a literature walk, and a jazz performance on the opening night with the John Davidson Quintet, featuring vocalist Jane Hurst.

The festival is a registered charity and has a Schools program.

IWLF Schools brings authors to deliver assemblies, workshops, and interactive sessions at no charge to schools.