A WEALTH of writers from the worlds of literature, broadcasting and politics set creative sparks flying at Ilkley’s annual book bonanza which kicks off this evening and runs until October 16.

Opening the Literature Festival at the King's Hall today, Friday, September 30, at 7.30pm is Ilkley first-timer, multi BAFTA and Emmy Award winning screenwriter Andrew Davies with: From House of Cards to War and Peace

Known for his iconic and universally acclaimed adaptations of classics Davies will talk about his most recent challenge re-working Tolstoy’s ambitious novel War and Peace for the small screen.

Continuing the classics theme is Jo Baker, whose bestseller Longbourne looked behind the scenes of the Bennett family from Pride and Prejudice and who now turns her attention to the fictional past of Samuel Beckett as a member of the Resistance in war time Paris in A Country Road, A Tree, and Anna Pasternak who discusses the inspiration behind her great uncle’s epic Doctor Zhivago. To mark 200 years since her birth, Charlotte Brontë will be the subject of one of the Festival strands, peppering the Festival with a series of events including talks, workshops and even a guided walk, exploring her life and work.

Significant Festival appearances this year come from some of Yorkshire’s finest writers; leading UK poet Simon Armitage performs new work specially commissioned by Alchemy and The Leeds Library responding to M R James’ ghost story The Haunted Doll’s House; the work of Bradford born J.B. Priestley will be celebrated in a special event featuring Margaret Drabble, Barry Cryer and Tom Priestley; Kay Mellor OBE discusses her distinguished writing career and regional roots; and Ilkley’s own son Alan Titchmarsh returns with his newest novel Mr Gandy’s Grand Tour.

In total over 240 events will take place over 17 days at 21 different venues.

Distinctive viewpoints from across the political spectrum will stimulate debate amongst audiences with outspoken and provocative appearances from Keighley born former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell with the newest volume of his explosive political diaries following the years 2003 – 2005; Conservative former Chancellor and Home Secretary Ken Clarke appears on 6 November, as a Festival postscript with his newly released biography Kind of Blue; MP and former Deputy Prime Minister, Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg lifts the lid on his time in government; former home secretary and Labour Shadow Chancellor Alan Johnson discusses the most recent third volume of his award winning memoirs; Ken Livingstone, controversial former Mayor of London and MP gives an inside look at the Labour party past and present with his book Being Red, and past chairman of the Home Affairs select committee Chris Mullins discusses his revealing memoir, Hinterland.

Economics, current affairs, food, music, sport and war are just some of the engaging non-fiction subjects covered during the Festival. Former economic advisor to President George W Bush Dr Pippa Malmgren shows how anyone can understand the world economy and Sara Khan, the director of Inspire, a UK women's human rights organisation she co-founded in 2009 to address inequalities facing British Muslim women, outlines her perspective on extremism and her book The Battle for British Islam. Foodie festival goers can turn the tables on a tasty assortment of critics, gleaning expert knowledge from Financial Times wine writer Jancis Robinson; former owner of L’Escargot, London's oldest, most celebrated French Restaurant and Club, restaurant reviewer Nicholas Lander and well known broadcasters Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Jay Rayner. Co-founder of English post punk outfit Joy Division and electronica pioneers New Order, Peter Hook looks back at the divisive history of the later band and award-winning sports writer Anthony Clavane returns to Ilkley to examine the tragedy of Yorkshire’s status as a sporting powerhouse.

The centenary of the Battle of the Somme is marked by events exploring conscientious objectors with a magisterial account of the battle itself from historian Hugh Sebag-Montefiore while General Sir Richard Shirreff, until recently Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, explains his controversial viewpoint that Russia, not ISIS, is the most dangerous adversary facing the country right now.

Fiction writers from a wealth of genres come to this year’s Festival. Historical fiction has served Louis de Bernières well throughout his career – his new novel returns to the early 20th Century with The Dust that Falls From Dreams, his first new novel in a decade. Acclaimed Scotland based writers James Kelman and Leila Aboulela introduce their latest books. Both Tracy Chevalier (Girl with A Pearl Earring) and Joanne Harris (Chocolat), whose previous books have been turned in to Hollywood films, discuss their latest novels, with Chevalier exploring the search for land and a place to call home in post-colonial America and Harris introducing Different Class , the third instalment of her Yorkshire based psychological thrillers. The Festival welcomes the current queen of crime fiction, Val McDermid who brings her 30th novel Out of Bounds to Ilkley while comedian Mark Watson makes his Ilkley debut with his new thriller The Place That Didn’t Exist and Kate Summerscale (The Suspicions of Mr Whitcher) takes on another real life murder that shocked Victorian Britain.

As ever poetry is a key feature of the Festival programme, with readings and workshops by poets including Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Forward Prize Winners Kei Miller and Daljit Nagra, as well as internationally renowned Caribbean poet Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze and winner of the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry, Imtiaz Darkher.

Social history and topical commentary will be at the fore for journalists speaking at Ilkley, cementing the Festival’s position as an important place for discussion and debate. Guardian columnist and political activist Owen Jones asks how we can build better societies; longstanding presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour Jenni Murray suggests how women define the past and future, of this country with her book A History of Britain in 21 Women: A Personal Selection while BBC foreign correspondent John Simpson unpacks his life broadcasting from war zones, and that of those writers who went before him, risking everything to do journalistic justice to the frontline.

Former Children’s Laureate and stalwart of family friend fiction, Dame Jacqueline Wilson, headlines the Children’s Festival with a special post Festival appearance on 25 October. Other events for children and families celebrate Roald Dahl, Beatrix Potter and Harry Potter. All ages will enjoy interactive performances of Underneath a Magical Moon from tutti frutti productions and York Theatre Royal and the much loved stories of the Brothers Grimm, as seen through the eyes of the Lempen Puppets. Teen readers can hear from Carnegie Medal Winner Kevin Brookes about his newest page turner ‘Born Scared’; bestselling author of Geek Girl Holly Smale and Waterstones Children's Book Prize winner Annabel Pitcher, with her third book Silence is Goldfish.

Rachel Feldberg, Director of Ilkley Literature Festival, said: “We’re really excited by the quality, diversity and richness of this year’s programme and the range of writers who’ll be joining us from across the world. Each and every one, whether from the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, or closer to home, will be bringing their own unique viewpoint Yorkshire. The Festival has always celebrated the most outstanding authors, cultural commentators and free thinkers of the time, alongside supporting local and emerging writers and performers through our free Festival Fringe. It’s a combination we know our audiences love, and we’re looking forward to welcoming over 23,000 visitors to a fantastic Festival in October.”

The full programme is available for download and at www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk. Tickets are on sale online and through the box office 01943 816 714.