The few days I spent in Gstaad for the WOW festival were magical.  Probably the most wonderful of literary festival events I've ever been invited to.  I am very grateful for the generosity of the sponsors, the graciousness of the hospitality offered and for the loveliness of the place itself.  (Our swim in the sun-lit lake in the bowl of the mountains was sublime.)    But what I also found really special were the conversations.  Being a small group of established writers meant something unique happened. Each writer was given space, and could go deeper.   I loved listening to the other writers.   | loved the connection I felt with the audience, and the questions readers and audience members brought to me.  Wow is unique: a fresh look and a fresh listen and I am honoured and grateful to have been part of it.

"What sets this apart from other festivals is an alchemy of bonding: you don't dip in and out or go here and there but rather all authors and all attendees spend all time together in an open plan, so by the end of the day we're like old friends. WoW Gstaad is an intimate summer camp of the mind."

Of the many festivals I’ve been to, WoW Gstaad honestly stands-out, not just because Gstaad is so very beautiful, and everybody so hospitable, but because it’s exceptionally well-organised. Timing, sound, the bookshop - so many things that often go badly, don’t seem to at Gstaad, which made it, for me as a writer, a very supportive environment.

The end of summer always has a bittersweet tinge for me – as it also marks the moment when the workaday world grinds back into life… and steamy weather insouciance becomes a remembrance of things past. But this year I had the pleasure and privilege to say goodbye to the sunstruck months by spending the last few days of August at WoW Gstaad. What a brilliant literary festival. There were just six writers - – which gave us the opportunity to truly interact together, trading war stories from lives lived as working novelists… especially in an age when the written word is so imperiled. And given its intimate size the weekend also afforded this novelist to also meet readers in an unpressured, at-ease atmosphere – which, in turn, led to so many fascinating interactions. I’ve always noted that we read to understand that we are notalone. WoW Gstaad emphasizes the crucial relationship between the writer and his/her readers. Just as it does so in a burgh which marries gemütlich charm with scenic epic grandeur. And the festival is, quite simply, flawlessly organized. Bravo to all – especially to Thomas and Roel. There have been a few literary events where I’ve left, thinking: nie wieder. A week after the 2026 edition of WoW I find myself hoping for a return invitation – which, in turn, says it all about why this festival is so unique and should (as such) be treasured.

A fantastically organised festival set in the breathtaking surroundings of Gstaad. The format of the festival creates ample opportunity not only to enjoy talks from inspiring speakers, but also to engage in meaningful conversations with fellow attendees and speakers. It was an honour to contribute to such a special event.