Literature

Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Isle of Wight Literary Festival.

Tickets on sale for Isle of Wight Literary Festival

Chef Luke Holder promoting the Lime Wood Book Series

Chef Luke Holder promoting the Lime Wood Book Series

Top names in food among guests at Lime Wood Book Club this autumn

Benedict Lister

Benedict Lister

Fareham teacher brings Ancient Sparta to life in new novel

Southampton author celebrates winning fifth publishing deal

A scene from Dog Man: The Musical

A scene from Dog Man: The Musical

Mayflower Theatre

Hit children's musical coming to two Hampshire venues on first ever UK tour

Award-winning Romsey author releases new Audible audiobook set in Southampton

Liam Harding has released a poetry book celebrating Arsenal's history.

Liam Harding has released a poetry book celebrating Arsenal's history.

Great-grandson of Saints legend publishes poetry book

Martin White, writing under the name M.J. White, is set to launch his second book.

Martin White, writing under the name M.J. White, is set to launch his second book.

Former doorman who returned to education set to launch second book

Southampton author joins prestigious filmmaking development programme

Hampshire author Tim Matcham has launched his new book, The Peak Experience Blueprint: Start Living Your Best Life

Hampshire author Tim Matcham has launched his new book, The Peak Experience Blueprint: Start Living Your Best Life

Lymington author publishes new wellbeing book

Mrs Wormwood (Rebecca Thornhill) and Rudolpho (Ryan Lay) mark one week remaining of Matilda The Musical in Southampton

Mrs Wormwood (Rebecca Thornhill) and Rudolpho (Ryan Lay) mark one week remaining of Matilda The Musical in Southampton

Mayflower Theatre

Just one week remains of Matilda the Musical on stage in Southampton

Noughts and Crosses at Mayflower Studio.

Noughts and Crosses at Mayflower Studio.

Mayflower Studios

Unmissable Mayflower Studios play tells powerful story of love and division

A scene from Matilda the Musical

A scene from Matilda the Musical

Mayflower Theatre

'Go to the top of the class' - our take on Matilda the Musical

Lounges in Hampshire are launching Coffee and Crime, a digital book club.

Lounges in Hampshire are launching Coffee and Crime, a digital book club.

Hampshire Lounges launch digital book club

A Horrible Histories trail is coming to Beaulieu this May

A Horrible Histories trail is coming to Beaulieu this May

New Forest visitor attraction to host Horrible Histories trail this summer

The Trunch chair has arrived in Westquay ahead of Matilda the Musical at Mayflower Theatre

The Trunch chair has arrived in Westquay ahead of Matilda the Musical at Mayflower Theatre

Mayflower Theatre

Gigantic Miss Trunchbull chair goes on display in Westquay as Matilda arrives

A new crime fiction festival will come to Southampton in September

A new crime fiction festival will come to Southampton in September

Crime fiction festival to bring bestselling authors to Southampton

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)

MAST Mayflower Studios

The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) is a theatrical riot

A scene from The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged)

A scene from The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged)

Mayflower Studios

A gloriously absurd Shakespeare sprint - on this week in Southampton

Eira Morgan-Jones has written her first book

Eira Morgan-Jones has written her first book

Author launches debut young adult fantasy novel inspired by Welsh family legends

John Mackay plays Arthur Kipps and Daniel Burke plays The Actor in The Woman in Black

John Mackay plays Arthur Kipps and Daniel Burke plays The Actor in The Woman in Black

MAST Mayflower Studios

One of the longest running shows in the West End opens soon in Southampton

Shelina Permalloo, author of What To Cook When Everyone's Hungry

Shelina Permalloo, author of What To Cook When Everyone's Hungry

TV chef Shelina Permalloo opens up about family life as she launches new book

Pupils from St Swithun's Prep School in Winchester loved dressing up for World Book Day. The pick was this wonderful recreation of Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay from The Scarecrows' Wedding.

Pupils from St Swithun's Prep School in Winchester loved dressing up for World Book Day. The pick was this wonderful recreation of Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay from The Scarecrows' Wedding.

World Book Day 2026: adorable images of your children in costume

Sherboourne House School Book Day - Harry Potter Kiera Heslam and wizard Michael Wood perform their magic

Sherboourne House School Book Day - Harry Potter Kiera Heslam and wizard Michael Wood perform their magic

Don't miss World Book Day 2026 picture special supplement in the Daily Echo

Cuffnells, the Lyndhurst home of Alice Liddell, the real Alice in Wonderland.

Cuffnells, the Lyndhurst home of Alice Liddell, the real Alice in Wonderland.

What is the New Forest's connection to Wonderland and Alice?

Andrew Collins had his third open heart surgery in Southampton University Hospital last year.

Andrew Collins had his third open heart surgery in Southampton University Hospital last year.

Southampton author releases new book while recovering from open heart surgery

Lift New Forest students at the Masked Reader book swap.

Lift New Forest students at the Masked Reader book swap.

New Forest school adds twist to World Book Day

Netley Court Care Home residents and staff visited Bursledon Junior School as part of World Book Day celebrations.

Netley Court Care Home residents and staff visited Bursledon Junior School as part of World Book Day celebrations.

Care home residents visit school for World Book Day celebrations

Eight-year-old Alex Boyle from Sherbourne House School becomes Aslan from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for World Book Day

Eight-year-old Alex Boyle from Sherbourne House School becomes Aslan from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for World Book Day

Send us your World Book Day pictures for our special supplement

The Imaginarium

The Imaginarium

Lymington bookshop named finalist in major bookshop awards

A scene from To Kill A Mockingbird

A scene from To Kill A Mockingbird

Mayflower Theatre

First UK tour of seminal novel coming soon to Southampton stage

Ted Hill MBE has announced the first novel in his new historical fiction series.

Ted Hill MBE has announced the first novel in his new historical fiction series.

Hamble author brings Mary Rose story to life with new novel

New family trail coming to Mottisfont

New family trail coming to Mottisfont

Best selling book features in 2026 family trail with The National Trust

A youth-led event will mark Jane Austen's 250th birthday.

A youth-led event will mark Jane Austen's 250th birthday.

Youth-led event to celebrate Jane Austen's 250th year

The Lime Wood Book Club continues in the new year

The Lime Wood Book Club continues in the new year

Top names in food and literature added to Lime Wood Book Club line-up

Hampshire author Paul Franklin has released his latest novel.

Hampshire author Paul Franklin has released his latest novel.

Hampshire author publishes his latest novel

ZaZa's Storybox has been honoured at Downing Street

ZaZa's Storybox has been honoured at Downing Street

Trader of the Week

Trader of the week

Innovative book subscription service honoured at Downing Street

Emma Evans with her book: The Adventures of Unidog and Owlguin.

Emma Evans with her book: The Adventures of Unidog and Owlguin.

NHS worker aims to normalise neurodiversity with debut children's book

A radio broadcaster has launched his new book in Southampton.

A radio broadcaster has launched his new book in Southampton.

Radio broadcaster's new book launched in Southampton

A Mother's Second Chance by Sarah Lefebve is out this month

A Mother's Second Chance by Sarah Lefebve is out this month

Former Daily Echo reporter returns to bookshelves with powerful second novel

Romsey's Abbey United Reformed Church.

Romsey's Abbey United Reformed Church.

Church to host 'most agreeable occasion indeed' to mark Jane Austen's birthday

Lucy Stubbington will publish her debut book, At The End of the Day, on November 27.

Lucy Stubbington will publish her debut book, At The End of the Day, on November 27.

Children's books

Hampshire author to release debut children's book

Journalist and author Faith Eckersall

Journalist and author Faith Eckersall

Journalist turned author makes cosy crime debut with The Body On The Roundabout

KES Prep pupils Orla and Penelope.

KES Prep pupils Orla and Penelope.

School pupils help create new dyslexia-friendly children's book

Children enjoying the launch of the Little Wild Ones activity sessions

Children enjoying the launch of the Little Wild Ones activity sessions

Series of forest activity sessions for tots launched in Hampshire

A launch event will be held at October Books in Portswood on Friday, October 17.

A launch event will be held at October Books in Portswood on Friday, October 17.

Southampton artist’s tree-climbing book gets dramatic launch event

Sean Bennett leads a creative writing group after years in publishing

Sean Bennett leads a creative writing group after years in publishing

Public invited to hear top speakers at Hampshire writing event

Francis Benali joins star line-up at Isle of Wight book event

Francis Benali joins star line-up at Isle of Wight book event

Saints legend Francis Benali to appear at Isle of Wight festival

Author James Leslie-Melville

Author James Leslie-Melville

Titanic embarkation from Southampton featured in new novel

Author’s son revives 60-year-old Isle of Wight childhood memoir

Author’s son revives 60-year-old Isle of Wight childhood memoir

Son's rescue mission to save dad's book back in print 60 years later

Administrator Chloe Naegeli presents raffle prizes for the upcoming charity quiz evening

Administrator Chloe Naegeli presents raffle prizes for the upcoming charity quiz evening

Chance to win signed book by bestselling author at charity quiz night

Southampton libraries join the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge

Southampton libraries join the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge

Council transforms libraries into 'Story Gardens' as part of national campaign

Nature inspires chemistry book by Southampton writer

Nature inspires chemistry book by Southampton writer

Southampton-born author to release book on nature’s chemistry

Spiritual author launches book after personal awakening

Spiritual author launches book after personal awakening

Emotional journey leads New Forest writer to publish magical story