How do you respond to people who may question an all-female event?

"Unfortunately, while Hilary Mantel wins her second Booker and women certainly do have a voice in the literary scene, there are still figures that show that women are under-represented in magazines and newspapers that review and cover writing and impact on readership.

"An American organisation called Vida, Women in Literary Arts, does frequent surveys of magazines in both the UK and US. Men are often three to four times as likely to be writing reviews; and the books reviewed are often three or four times more likely to be written by men.

"One way to address this is not by just complaining, but by doing something about it - by bringing more attention to the excellent writing that is out there by women and encouraging men and women to come and hear these writers at xx, and expand their reading choices."

Can you tell us about plans for next year’s more extensive festival?

"We hope that it will be like this year's, but bigger! The inaugural year of any festival is really a taster session, to see if audience interest is there and to prove to funders and sponsors that you have what it takes to continue year on year.

"Next year we are hoping to run for more than one day, and have an exciting big name or two to draw people in, more involved discussions on different aspects of women's writing and a programme of workshops.

"There is so much we've been unable to include this year, so we would be considering sessions on different genres, non fiction, theatre, radio and screen writing among others.

"Perhaps we'll set a couple of male critics a reading challenge. We certainly aim to have a couple of male guests talking on women's books, but mostly we want to highlight great writing that often gets overlooked, and to have a good literary time."

The xx minifest begins at 2.30pm in the afternoon with the introductory session by Cardiff University's Katie Gramich. Author Nikita Lalwani, who was born in Rajasthan and raised in Cardiff, will read from her new novel The Village from 3pm.

Up and coming poets Rhian Edwards, Emily Hinshelwood and Anna Lewis will each perform their works in an afternoon poetry event.

Honno celebrate their 25th anniversary year with a reception at the minifest - another of Wild's highlights - plus there will be a book fair featuring works by Welsh publishers and all those writers taking part in the festival.

Wild's all-female edition of the Cardiff Literary Salon will include readings and discussion from Roshi Fernando and Rachel Trezise, plus new literary talents Sarah Coles, Alexandra Claire and Hail! The Planes front woman Holly Müller.

Tickets to individual events cost £4, or a day ticket is available for £15. For further information visit xxwales.wordpress.com and the Chapter Arts Centre website.

The history of the site is certainly not one to scoff at.

Virginia Woolf first made her decision to become a writer as she strolled along the sea's edge at Manorbier. She experienced depression early on and penned an article there "to prove there was nothing wrong with me". Her first novel, The Voyage Out, was conceived at Manorbier in 1908.

George Bernard Shaw was also a frequent visitor while Siegfried Sassoon conceived his poem A Ruined Castle, about Manorbier, in 1924 when he was staying with Walter de la Mare in nearby Shrinkle.

Further back in history, Manorbier was the birthplace of Gerald of Wales, or Giraldus Cambrensis, who wrote Journey Through Wales to raise money for the Third Crusade in the 12th century.

So, for those embarking on any of the four courses on offer at the castle this autumn, those are fairly awe-inspiring footsteps to follow in.

Course director, the arts correspondent and author Celia Lyttelton, told me: "I think it's got a hugely inspirational history and it is fantastic to be reviving that history some 700 years later.

"Writing can be such a solitary occupation and these courses offer the chance for interaction and guidance.

"They are designed to be fluid and informal and not too intensive, to leave time for participants to write and explore the gorgeous coastal paths surrounding the castle - although the castle drawbridge is pulled up at 11pm."

Course leaders include novelist Esther Freud; poet and literary editor Alan Jenkins; food writer and editor Jojo Tulloh; novelist and creative writing lecturer Tiffany Murray; Tom Hodgkinson of Idler books and magazines; and memoirist and musician Jasper Rees.

Writers can choose between four-day residential writing courses in non-fiction and memoir, fiction, non-fiction and the art of writing essays.

Lyttelton added: "I don’t want the courses to be just about writing but to give a professional perspective and practical advice for those who are serious about getting published.

"They will address things like the Kindle revolution and self-publishing. We will have literary agents coming in and people from Unbound, where authors pitch books and they are supported via a pledging system.

"Obviously it's a dramatic surrounding and there is no mobile or internet reception or TV so people can really immerse themselves in the beauty of the place."

Ms Naper and her aunt, the Hon. Beatrice Plunkett, inherited the castle as ancestors of Sir Francis Dashwood, an 18th century Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ms Naper has returned to the breathtaking site after 30 years of living in Ireland.

Study areas in the castle include the round-tower rooms, the old guard room and chapel, while accommodation is provided in the lodge within the castle walls, which was converted from a 16th century barn in the 19th century.

For more details about the courses on offer and how to book visit the Manorbier Castle website.