Book lovers will swoon over the 90 plus events taking place across 17 days at the King’s Hall and venues across the town in October.

Headline acts include household names such as Julian Clary, lexicographer Susie Dent, and Strictly’s Shirley Ballas, with their debut murder mystery novels, Curtain Call to Murder, Guilty by Definition, and Dance to the Death.

The acclaimed American novelist Jodi Picoult brings her latest novel By Any Other Name, and Booker-prize winning novelist Alan Hollinghurst celebrates his first book in over a decade, Our Evenings.

National treasures Prue Leith and Gyles Brandreth return. Prue with her latest cookbook, Life’s Too Short to Stuff a Mushroom and Gyles delves into the secrets of happiness and the joys of the English language, with Happiness in Just a Minute.

Shirley Ballas. Shirley Ballas. (Image: Blake Ezra Photography Ltd) Bringing political clout are Alan Johnson’s biography of Harold Wilson and Sir Graham Brady’s explosive new memoir from the heart of Westminster, Kingmaker: Secrets, Lies and the Truth about Five Prime Ministers. Caroline Lucas also explores if we can reclaim Englishness from the cheerleaders for Brexit and the right, with Another England: How to Reclaim Our National Story.

The Guardian’s Adrian Chiles presents The Curious Columns of Adrian Chiles and Cathy Newman discusses her latest book, The Ladder, which offers inspiration and counsel from some of the world’s most acclaimed and influential women.

Looking up to space are Maggie Aderin-Pocock with her book, Webb’s Universe: The Space Telescope Images That Reveal Our Cosmic History, and philosopher AC Grayling, with his exploration of the new space race, as he asks the galactic question, Who Owns the Moon?

Architect, and star of BBC’s Your Home Made Perfect Laura Jane Clarke gives her tips on interior design, while clothier and judge on The Great British Sewing Bee Patrick Grant discusses overconsumption in fashion and how we can make ourselves happier by rediscovering the joy of living with fewer, better-quality things.

Susie Dent. Susie Dent. (Image: Stewart Williams) Comedy and life lessons come in the form of Paul Sinha and Helen Lederer, who’ll both be discussing their new memoirs.

Erica Morris, director of Ilkley Literature Festival, said: 'We’re excited to welcome big names and big ideas as we once more bring an epic celebration of books, reading and writing to Ilkley. From exploring the secrets of happiness to who owns the moon, to our turbulent state of politics here and across the pond, there’s plenty to entertain, engage and inspire.'

October 4-20

ilkleylitfest.org.uk