~ Miles Irving ~ Peter Owen-Jones ~ Robert Forster ~
~ Steven Machat ~ Mike Gayle & Jojo Moyes ~ Katharine Hibbert ~

The best literary event of the summer, Latitude’s Literary Arena celebrates the written word in all its fabulous glory. For both book worms and casual readers, the best authors and special guests will all congregate under the canopy of the arena and take you on a journey to the far reaches of your imagination.

Miles Irving, author of ‘The Forager’s Handbook’ and seasoned pro at providing foraging workshops will be at Latitude in The Faraway Forest. Irving is an expert on wild food and where exactly to find the very best grown naturally in our countryside and cities. With an unrivalled knowledge on how to recognise, find and use the edible wild plants of Britain, Irving will be treating festival goers to a masterclass on the wild fruits of the forest located all around the Latitude site. Grab a basket and look at Latitude's foliage in a completely different light as you pick up tips, hints and a dinner unlike any other you'll have over the weekend!

Joining the Literary Arena bill is renowned clergyman, author and TV presenter Reverend Peter Owen-Jones who will be bringing his words of wisdom to the Literary Arena. His latest book 'Letters Form An Extreme Pilgrim: Reflections On Love, Life and the Soul' details the letters that he wrote during his 40 days and nights in a hermit's cell in the Egyptian desert. His most recent television programme was the documentary series Around the World in 80 Faiths on BBC 2 accompanied by the book of the same name. Prepare to be enlightened.

Australian singer songwriter, one half of The Go-Betweens and famed music critic, Robert Forster comes to Latitude's Literary Arena with his book ‘The 10 Rules of Rock and Roll’. Respected music critic for the acclaimed publications including ‘The monthly’ his book ‘The 10 Rules of Rock and Roll’, is a collection of his work taking readers on an exhilarating trip through the past and present of popular music – from Bob Dylan, AC/DC and Nana Mouskouri through to Cat Power, Franz Ferdinand and … Delta Goodrem. He also lists '10 Rules’ in which to live by and the 10 bands he wishes he'd been in, as well as a reflection on The Velvet Underground, a short story about Normie Rowe and a moving tribute to fellow Go-Between member Grant McLennan. Funny and illuminating, his book shows a great critic at work.

Drawing on his experiences following his dad into a career as a showbiz lawyer, Steven Machat has dished the dirt in his book ‘Gods, Gangsters & Honour’. With 30 years in the business, he has dealt with a horde of stars from Seal to Suge Knight. With extraordinary true tales of near-career-killing mistakes and huge money deals, Steven brings new light to an often shady side of the industry. His stories will amuse and surprise in equal measure.

Freelance journalist, former features editor and agony aunt for ‘Just Seventeen’ and ‘Bliss’, Mike Gayle will be reading from his 10th book ‘The Importance of Being A Batchelor’. It's a comic look at three brothers all enjoying life but failing to achieve the love goals they've set themselves. This follows last year's non-fiction offering ‘The To Do List’, where Mike ticked off things that would get his life in order after falling the wrong side of 35. Joining Gayle will be Jojo Moyes, author of ‘Foreign Fruit’, the Romantic Novelist's Association Romantic Novel of the Year 2004. The former Independent staff writer will be reading extracts of her latest novel ‘The Last Letter From Your Lover’, a book set both in 1960 and the present day. JoJo's 'weepie' style will be in full force so be sure to pack some extra tissues for this taster of her next title.

Journalist Katharine Hibbert took the extraordinary step of ridding herself of all modern trappings, including her house, and gave it all up to attempt to live in London without a job or home address for an entire year. The experiences are all detailed in ‘Free: Adventures On The Margins of a Wasteful Society’. Almost a squatting and survival guide, Hibbert also details her shock and anger at the astounding amount of squandering she sees. The impact it had is clear in the book and will no doubt be discussed during her spot in the Literary Arena.

Also on the bill are Bret Easton-Ellis, Sebastian Faulks, the return of Robin Ince's Book Club, and many other literary giants.