The Independent is very pleased to announce its official news partnership with Henley Literary Festival for the second year in a row, set to take place from 28th September to 6th October at Henley-on-Thames.

As part of the collaboration, The Independent will deliver exclusive features and insights from the festival’s key authors, artists and thinkers. In addition, The Independent’s journalists will be interviewing writers on stage and in front of the festival audience:

• David Nicholls in conversation with The Independent’s Arts Editor, Jessie Thompson. Wednesday 2nd October, 8pm.
• Jacqueline Wilson in conversation with The Independent’s Arts Editor, Jessie Thompson. Wednesday 2nd October, 6pm.
• Mick Brown in conversation with The Independent’s Chief Book Critic, Martin Chilton. Sunday 29th September, 2pm.
• Anthony Seldon in conversation with The Independent’s Simon Walters. Thursday 3rd Oct, 12pm.
• Will Hutton in conversation with The Independent’s Simon Walters. Wednesday 2nd Oct, 3pm.
• Jonathan Dimbleby in conversation with The Independent’s Simon Walters. Tuesday 1st Oct, 6pm.

Additionally, on 3rd November, The Independent and Henley Literary Festival will be hosting a special pop-up event with Yinka and David Olusoga – who will be speaking with The Independent’s Race Correspondent, Nadine White.

Readers of The Independent can look forward to in-depth editorial content, with interviews and news, as well as live content across social channels.

Other names speaking at this year’s festival include Roger McGough, Zeinab Badawi, Rupert Everett, Elif Shafak and Jonnie Peacock. The full lineup can be viewed at www.henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk/

In 2023, the festival featured former Prime Minister Theresa May in conversation with The Independent’s political journalist Simon Walters, whilst novelist Sebastian Faulks spoke with Martin Chilton.

Geordie Greig, Editor-in-Chief at The Independent said: “Henley Literary Festival is the home of ideas, books, authors, philosophy, and activating great conversation – it is also what The Independent does and so I’m delighted to be partnering with them again for this year’s festival.”

Jessie Thompson, The Independent’s Arts Editor added: “We’re absolutely delighted to be partnering with Henley Literary Festival again this year. We expect these discussions to bring plenty of fresh insight and debate, and our team is thrilled with the lineup of authors and writers featured.”

Harriet Reed-Ryan, Events Director and Programmer at Henley Literary Festival commented: “Henley Literary Festival is a place where people who love books can come together to discuss issues in an open space. We are pleased The Independent is a partner again this year. The title and the festival are both forums for thoughtful nuanced thinking. Whether it’s the top literary names, historians, broadcasters or children’s authors, there is something for every interest.”