Winchester Books Festival is a Community Interest Company. It was founded by three friends who have a mutual love of books: Sophie Liardet, Louisa Symington and Sian Searles:

“Creating this Festival from scratch has been a roller coaster ride, from a kernel of an idea at a kitchen table in September 2022, we’ve been overwhelmed by the support from organisations and individuals within Winchester. This year it is a pilot Festival but we very much hope that this will be the first of many Winchester Books Festivals and events throughout the year, that will encourage a love of reading and books and support to authors established and debut.”