The annual Isle of Wight Story Festival, which takes place over February half term, is expanding for 2023.
Thursday at the IW Story Festival will see an extra day of activities specifically aimed at young people aged 12 and over on February 16.
Julia Tuffs, author of Hexed — a story about a girl who moves to the Isle of Wight and discovers she is a witch — will headline the day.
Tuffs was recently longlisted for the IW Book Awards.
Creaturama, featuring the works of Anthony James, will be running a monster making session on the day.
Anthony’s career has seen him work on Blue Peter and Junk Rescue, as well as his work appearing in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
IW Story Festival organiser Elspeth Giddens said:
“We’ve run a really successful festival for primary aged children for three years, but we haven’t really had anything for the over-12s.
"We’ve come up with a really exciting, diverse programme, which covers everything from songwriting to cartoons. It’s going to be a lot of fun!”
Others appearing at the event include musical maestro JC Grimshaw, celebrated Isle of Wight comic author Russell Sheath and poet Adam Gaterell.
Last month, the IW Story Festival confirmed the first four names for the February event.
Laura Ellen Anderson, Nicholas Allan, Kieran Larwood and Jamie Littler will all talk to young fans on February 17 and 18.