The Festivals

A one-day festival for readers who love immersive worlds and  unforgettable stories. Across the day, some of the most exciting voices  in fantasy and storytelling will come together in Brighton for a series  of intimate conversations exploring imagination, world-building,  obsession, fandom, myth, magic, and the stories that shape us. This is  not a convention hall experience.

It is thoughtful, warm, conversational, and deliberately intimate.  Expect brilliant discussions, beautiful books, signings throughout the  day, and the rare pleasure of spending time in a room filled entirely  with people who love stories as much as you do.

For over 20 years, we’ve been bringing brilliant writers to Frinton-on-Sea to celebrate books, ideas and the joy of reading.

From our much-loved fundraising quiz to our flagship festival weekend each October, our programme brings together bestselling authors, new voices and curious audiences. We also run a creative writing competition, workshops and events for schools.

Every other year the Society for Storytelling arranges The Gathering – an in-person get-together of talks, workshops and storytelling. It’s a wonderful opportunity for story lovers to meet, mingle, share yarns, reconnect with old friends and build new ones. It’s also a great time to find out what the SfS has planned for the coming year.

Visit the website for lots of storytelling events listed around the country.

Across four days, Greene’s life and work is celebrated in a warm, welcoming and inclusive event. Speakers range from famous Greene admirers to film-makers, artists, publishers, scholars, young researchers, writers and straightforward fans and admirers.

One of the most exciting new events of the publishing calendar, the Alternative Book Fair is a week of publishing and author events to bring the world of publishing and literature to a wider audience, especially aspiring authors, emerging writers and avid readers.  

With author panels featuring Booker Prize Longisted Natasha Brown, As Young As This Roxy Dunn, Gonzalo Garcia, Katherine Faulkner, Mel Pennant, Ronan O’Shea and many more.

All events are free, including access to the Indie Press Fair, all day, Saturday 11th, thanks to Islington Libraries, Arts Council England, Indie Novella and The Diversity in Publishing Partnership. No booking required for Indie Press Fair - please book for individual panels.

A long summer weekend celebration of the written & spoken word all unfolding against the backdrop that inspired generations of writers. Including talks, panels & interviews with much-loved authors & commentators.

Come for the books. Stay for the conversations.

The friendly litfest  by the sea!

A nine-day festival in marvellous Margate

Big name authors at Turner Contemporary, creative writing workshops, poetry slam, three days of children’s events, book launches, school visits, literary walks, podcasts, ice cream, fish and chips and the loveliest skies in Europe.  And possibly donkeys as well.

The National Eisteddfod is the largest cultural festival in Europe, held in a different part of Wales every year. Join us in Eisteddfod y Garreg Las, Llantwd, north Pembrokeshire.

The Queen’s Reading Room, launched by Her Majesty Queen Camilla in 2023, is the charity working to celebrate and promote the power and benefits of reading, in the UK and beyond.

The flagship literary festival returns on the 19th and 20th September in the stunning grounds of Chatsworth in Derbyshire - designed to celebrate the joy of reading and bringing together many of today’s greatest writers.

We’ve expanded our programme across two days to bring you as many fantastic speakers as possible, including: Elif Shafak, Ann Cleeves, Kate Atkinson, Reeta Chakrabarti, Harlan Coben, Lee Child, William Boyd, Clare Balding, Philippa Perry, Nussaibah Younis, and many more.

All authors will have book signings after their talks, giving you the chance to meet your heroes, ask your burning questions and get yourself a signed copy.

Accessible, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed, The Sykehouse Film and Writers’ Festival offers a unique blend of professional curation, hands-on learning, and community spirit. Discover new stories, hone your skills, pitch your work, meet creative minds, and leave feeling inspired, energized, and part of a growing cultural movement.

Our festival celebrates diversity and inclusion as standard practice, featuring work by creators from multiple backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Whether you’re attending as a student, a local film lover, or an established practitioner, the weekend is designed to make you feel seen, inspired, and part of a thriving creative community.

Literary panels, author events, and interactive workshops

Each May, the town of Fowey bursts into creative bloom as the Du Maurier Fowey Literary Festival brings together a wide variety of writers, readers, artists, musicians, and curious minds of all ages. Nestled on Cornwall’s south coast, our festival is more than a celebration of literature, it’s a living expression of cultural connection, community pride, and artistic discovery. Set against the backdrop of rich local heritage and the timeless influence of Daphne du Maurier, it is Cornwall’s first and longest running literary festival and a beloved part of the town’s identity.

Since its creation in 1997, the work we do has honoured the legacy of Daphne du Maurier, whose presence in Fowey shaped some of her most enduring work. Her voice still echoes through the cliffs and coves, the houses and harbours of this landscape.

The 2026 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, the world’s largest and most prestigious celebration of crime fiction, takes place on 23-26 July 2026.

This year, we welcome Ann Cleeves and Brenda Blethyn, Anthony Horowitz, Holly Jackson, Chris Brookmyre, Chris Whitaker, Jane Harper and LJ Ross. As well as previously announced headliners Nadine Matheson, Gillian McAllister, Steve Cavanagh, Alice Feeney and David Baldacci, curated by 2026 Festival Programming Chair, Lisa Jewell.

Ticehurst Literary Festival aims to bring world-class authors to rural East Sussex, for the enjoyment of all. We believe literature can promote understanding, provide escapism, knowledge, recognition, pleasure, and even company. Books are a meeting of the imaginations of author and reader, at Ticehurst Literary Festival the two can meet in person.

Tidelines Book Festival is a community-run charitable trust bringing world-class literary events to Ayrshire at affordable prices. The aim of Tidelines is to encourage involvement with and participation in literature in all its forms. We aspire to reach as wide an audience as possible, particularly those who might not readily think of the written word as entertainment or might lack confidence in engaging in cultural activity.

The Festival was first established in 2013 following a great idea by local Ayrshire man John Steele and runs over one weekend in late September at the Harbour Arts Centre on Irvine’s historic harbourside. Alongside the main festival Tidelines also runs a schools programme, organising free author visits to local schools within North Ayrshire’s most deprived areas, to encourage engagement with reading and literacy. We also run ad hoc community events, such as free creative writing workshops for those at risk of loneliness and isolation.

The Tobermory Book Festival is designed to celebrate Mull's place as an island book capital. What better way could there be to spend a few days than in Scotland's most beautiful small town listening to superb speakers and enjoying the best of Highland food?

Todmorden Book Festival showcases the work of new and established writers from across the region & the UK, with fiction, nonfiction & poetry events for adults, young adults & children.

We’re welcoming a wonderful mix of authors, poets, journalists and performers, alongside workshops, family activities and free community events. Whether you’re here to hear from your favourite writers, discover new voices, or simply soak up the festival atmosphere, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

2026 TBC

Prepare to immerse yourselves in ten days of literary wonder at the Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival (TWLF) from 1-10 May. Event and workshop tickets are now on sale at www.twlf.co.uk 

Over 150 artists authors and performers will entertain you across 56 events at 10 venues across Tunbridge Wells. This year we have over 8,000 seats available, 2,000 of which are pay what you can, as well as free activities and performances to watch and take part in.

The stellar line-up for 2026 includes national treasure Gyles Brandreth celebrating 100 years of Winnie the Pooh, Sunday Times No.1 Bestselling poet Donna Ashworth in conversation with Davina McCall, comedian, impressionist and satirist Rory Bremner, widely published poet Jess Mookherjee, renowned historical novelist Essie Fox, award-winning Trinidadian-born British writer Monique Roffey, presenter and satirist Iain Dale in conversation with Mike Martin MP to name a few.

Hello! We’re delighted to welcome you to the very first Wantage Children’s Books Festival, a joyful celebration of stories, imagination and community. With a busy programme of exciting events from some of the UK’s best loved authors and illustrators, there’s something on offer for families with children of all ages, from babies up to teens. And the good news is that it’s all completely FREE!

Research has shown that children who grow up reading for the fun of it are happier, have an easier school experience and even go onto have more life opportunities when they’re older. And because 2026 is the National Year of Reading, we wanted to make sure that the families and schools of south Oxfordshire didn’t miss out on this opportunity to celebrate books and reading. We hope the festival will entertain, engage and inspire you and your family to get reading - and to keep reading!

With over 40 thrilling events on the horizon, we are bringing together brilliant authors, poets, and thinkers for unforgettable conversations, workshops, and performances. From literary legends to rising stars, it is all happening in our historic market town.