Plan your 2022 with our comprehensive listings of festivals, workshops and courses for the rest of the year
FEBRUARY 5 Feb Hearth micro-festival
Gladstone’s Library, Hawarden, Flintshire Micro-festival that features relaxed opportunities to learn from and talk to writers www.gladstoneslibrary.org
Audacious Women Festival 20-27 February
Venues in Edinburgh
Female-focused (but inclusive) festival of music, dance, art and books, all giving you an opportunity to Do What You Always Wish You Dared https://audaciouswomen.scot
Jewish Book Week 26 Feb-6 Mar
Kings Place, Kings Cross, London Nine days of discussion, debate, live performances, and a spectacular grand finale. www.jewishbookweek.com
Granite Noir 24-27 February
Various Aberdeen venues
Granite Noir is inspired by the popularity of crime fiction in all its forms, by the fantastic contribution that Scottish writers make, by their love affair with Nordic Noir, on the page and on screen, and most of all inspired by Aberdeen, which is the perfect backdrop for the festival – steeped in history, atmospheric, quirky and with a strong sense of place. Granite Noir brings a programme of noir writing in unusual places and spaces across the city, from the lively festival hub at the Lemon Tree to the newly restored Cowdray Hall and the atmospheric St Nicholas Kirk. www.granitenoir.com
MARCH King’s Lynn Fiction Festival 11-13 March
King’s Lynn Town Hall
Presenting some of the best contemporary writers of chapter in a friendly and informal setting www.lynnlitfests.com
Words by the Water 15-20 March
Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
Literature festival in Cumbria featuring high-profile author appearances www.wayswithwords.co.uk/festivals/ words-by-the-water--the-lake-district-23
Scottish Association of Writers’ Annual Conference 18-20 March
Westerwood Hotel and Conference Centre, Cumbernauld
Writers’ conference, with workshops, seminars and competition award ceremony. www.scottishassociationofwriters.com
StAnza 7-13 March
The Byre Theatre and other venues in St Andrews StAnza 2022 will explore the opportunities and the pitfalls of stories, ranging over narrative poetry, prose poetry, re-writing old stories and imagining new ones, reportage, process / chance narratives, myth /epic; there will be poets who contest the power of narrative or of stories conventionally told, and those who experiment with it. www.stanzapoetry.org
York Literature Festival 18-27 March
Various venues in York
York’s annual literature festival with over 50 events featuring drama, poetry, prose and interactive workshops all showcasing some of Britain’s brightest writing talent. https://yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk
Huddersfield Literature Festival 24 March-3 April
Various venues in Huddersfield An award-winning annual spring Festival held in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with community, accessibility and inclusivity at its heart. A blend of venue-based and online activities, HLF features family events, author talks, performance poetry, workshops, non-fiction discussions and special community projects. It includes many free or low-cost events, some with live subtitling, and Access Guides to key venues. www.huddlitfest.org.uk
Oxford Literary Festival 25 Mar-3 April
Historic venues around Oxford
For 10 days over 300 speakers gather from
across the globe to talk in some of the most iconic and historic venues in Oxford. Genres range from Animal Welfare to Shakespeare. http://oxfordliteraryfestival.org
APRIL Shakespeare Birthplace Trust year round
Stratford-upon-Avon.
Year round events celebrating the Bard www.shakespeare.org.uk
Cuirt International Festival of Literature 2015 4-10 April
The Town Hall Theatre, An Taibhdhearc, and Druid Theatre, Galway
One of Europe’s oldest book festivals, and a leading voice for literature both internationally and across Ireland. Cúirt International Festival of Literature brings readers and writers together to tell stories, share new perspectives and celebrate writing in all forms. The festival began as a celebration of poetry and has since grown to a week-long celebration of all forms of writing. The 2022 festival will showcase Emer McLysaght, Sarah Breen, Bethany Rutter, and many more wonderful writers. www.cuirt.ie
London Book Fair 5-7 April
Olympia, West London
The biggest trade event of the UK publishing year continues to offer events for writers and valuable insight into the worlds of publishing and self-publishing, with dedicated author programme Author HQ. www.londonbookfair.co.uk
Ink Festival 21-24 April
The New Cut Arts Centre and around Halesworth
Featival of new short plays for theatre and radio https://inkfestival.org
Cambridge Literary Festival: Spring Festival Online 21-24 April
Live events planned, after an online-only 2021
Programme and details TBC; also a monthly online book club, with top name writer guests www.cambridgeliteraryfestival.com
Chiddingstone Castle Literary Festival 30 April-3 May
Chiddingstone Castle, Kent
Chiddingstone Castle Literary Festival is back with live events over the first May Bank Holiday weekend, 30 April - 3 May 2022. Our reputation as the leading event of its kind in Kent has attracted a strong and diverse audience since its inception in 2016. With our track record of carefully curated author talks offering wide appeal, we are planning a selection of high quality in-person events, bringing the latest books and best authors to our loyal fans and new audiences. Speakers include Jane Garvey and Fi Glover, Iain Dale, Tom Tugendhat MP, Miranda Seymour, Nina Stibbe, Michael Morpurgo, Adam Nicolson, James Fox, Justine Picardie, Patrick Gale, Katherine Rundell, Cathy Rentzenbrink and Tom Heap. www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk
UEA Live Ongoing
Lecture Theatre 1, University of East Anglia
Ongoing events with award-winning authors
uealive.com Wrexham Carnival of Words April TBC
Live events and streams
Hand picked authors, poets and workshops for your literary delight. http://wrexhamcarnivalofwords.com/
MAY Stratford Literary Festival 3-8 May
Multiple venues in Stratford-upon-Avon
Celebrating its 15th year, Stratford Literary Festival offers a week full of talks, stories, workshops and events for all ages, including workshops for writers. www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk
Aldeburgh Literary Festival 5-8 May
The Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh
Literary Festival, series of approximately 16 talks over 4 days www.aldeburghliteraryfestival.co.uk
Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature 6-14 May
Venues in Fowey
A ten day literary festival with an eclectic mix of talks by a variety of authors, live this year www.foweyfestival.com
Strokestown International Poetry Festival, Ireland May TBC
Strokestown, Co Roscommon
World-renowned poetry festival featuring leading Irish and international poets www.strokestownpoetry.org
Ullapool Book Festival 6-8 May
Ullapool Village Hall
A literary festival held in the Highlands, with fiction, non-fiction and poetry www.ullapoolbookfestival.co.uk
Brighton Festival 7-29 May
multiple sites
Innovative commissioning and producing arts festival with strong literary presence and this year, guest directors Marwa alSabouni and Tristan Sharps http://brightonfestival.org/
Swindon Spring Festival of Literature and the Arts May TBC,
mostly online
Promises ‘terrific authors and talks; delightful discussions; wonderful workshops; and great performers and performances!’ in a tiered and blended programme of mostly online events. These will include a little live outdoor action; live talks and workshops online; and recorded interviews and discussions online. www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk
Bath Festival 13-22 May
Various venues in Bath
The Bath Festival celebrates music and books in a beautiful city. https://bathfestivals.org.uk
Boswell Book Festival 13-15 May
Dumfries House, Cumnock, Ayrshire
The world’s only festival of biography and memoir. Inspired by the great Ayrshire writer James Boswell of Auchinleck, the unique theme is taken from the genre at which he excelled - the telling of people’s life stories. Along with the main festival there is a hugely popular Children’s Festival featuring some of the best and most popular children’s authors, illustrators, and performers, bringing biography and memoir alive. www.boswellbookfestival.co.uk
CrimeFest 12-15 May
Bristol Mercure Hotel
Up to 150 authors descend on Bristol for one of Europe’s largest crime fiction conventions. With up to 60 events, CrimeFest is a hotbed for readers who dip into the occasional crime novel alongside die-hard fans, as well as drawing top crime novelists, editors, publishers and reviewers from around the world. Highlights include the coveted ‘Pitch an Agent’ for aspiring writers and the annual CrimeFest Awards featuring the inaugural Specsavers Debut Crime Novel Award. Covering everything from TV drama to forensics, top authors include Laura Lippman, Robert Goddard, Alex North, Sarah Pinborough, Yrsa Sigurðardóttir and Lynne Truss.
www.crimefest.com Norfolk and Norwich Festival 13-29 May
Venues around Norwich
General arts festival with some literature events, and a workshop weekend at the National Centre for Writing
https://nnfestival.org.uk Charleston Festival 19-29 May
Charleston Farmhouse, Lewes, East Sussex Annual festival with big name guests and a beautiful location – returning in full after a trimmed down programme in 2021 and an entirely digital 2020
www.charleston.org.uk/festival/ Perth Festival of Arts 19-28 May
Perth Theatre and Concert Hall
A 10-day arts-packed festival covering all the arts, including classical music, opera, rock/ pop, jazz, blues, drama, comedy, literature and visual arts.
www.perthfestival.co.uk Derby Book Festival 20-28 May
A range of venues across the city
Derby Book Festival celebrates the joy of books and reading for all ages and interests, with a programme featuring great writers, poets, historians, illustrators, storytellers and musicians. Over 100 events in May, with more in an extra Autumn edition
www.derbybookfestival.co.uk International Literature Festival Dublin 20-30 May
Various Dublin venues and online streams Some of the world’s finest writers take part in Ireland’s premier literary event, which features novelists, poets, non-fiction writers, lyricists, playwrights and screenwriters
www.ilfdublin.com Hay Festival 26 May-5 June
Hay-on-Wye
The world’s leading literary celebration Hay Festival brings writers and readers together for its 35th spring edition, with hundreds of live events in the picturesque booktown of Hay-on-Wye to the world. The Festival will feature some 200 events offering an inspiring blend of conversations, debates, workshops and performances.
www.hayfestival.com Salisbury International Arts Festival 27 May-18 June
Various
Two-week multi-arts festival with a literature strand
www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/whats-on/ festival/ Steyning Festival 27 May-5 June
Steyning
Popular biannual general arts festival with literary strand, back in the big top for a packed programme of events
www.steyningfestival.co.uk Swaledale Festival 28 May-11 June
Various venues around Swaledale, Akengarthdale and Wensleydale, North Yorkshire
Celebrating its 50th anniversary with a packed programme of film, poetry, talks, workshops, art exhibitions and guided walks in the beautiful Dales landscape.
www.swalefest.org
JUNE Essex Book Festival 1-30 June
Venues across Essex
With 140+ events taking place in over thirty venues across Essex, from Medieval Barns and Tudor Palaces to Napoleonic Forts and Lecture Halls, involving 250+ writers and artists, Essex Book Festival knows how to throw a party! Back to a normal month-long programme in June after last year’s virtual programme
www.essexbookfestival.org.uk Jericho Writers Festival of Writing June-August
Online
An online festival covering everything you need to write, edit, and get your book published, exclusively for Jericho Writers members
https://jerichowriters.com/ Listowel Writers’ Week 1-5 June
Listowel, Co Kerry, Ireland
One of Ireland’s longest running, most popular and prestigious literary festivals, Listowel Writers’ Week includes art, theatre, music, tours, a children’s festival, and an extensive programme of workshops for writers.
www.writersweek.ie Wimbledon Bookfest Sunrise Festival 9-15 June
Big Tent, Wimbledon Common
One of two events bookending summer in Wimbledon marquees
www.wimbledonbookfest.org Hexham Book Festival and Gillian Dickinson Children’s Festival 10-19 June
Queen’s Hall Hexham and vintage Spiegeltent
Annual Book Festival and second year of GD Children’s Festival for young people of all ages, including bespoke commissioned events.
www.hexhambookfestival.co.uk Books by the Beach 11-12 June
Venues around Scarborough
Located on Yorkshire’s spectacular coast. Guests last year included Polly Toynbee, Rowan Coleman and Jeremy Vine.
www.booksbythebeach.co.uk Immrama,The Lismore Festival of Travel Writing June TBC
Several venues in Lismore Town, Co Waterford
Expected to return after a Covid-cancelled 2021, with presentations by national and International renowned travel writers
www.lismoreimmrama.com Borders Book Festival 16-19 June
Harmony Garden, Melrose
A friendly festival with more than 100 events aimed at adult readers and families
www.bordersbookfestival.org
Ashbourne Festival 17 June-3 July
Ashbourne, Derbyshire
A cultural oasis in the ‘gateway to the Derbyshire Dales’ for the last two decades, with street theatre, comedians, musicians, artists and writers.
www.ashbournefestival.org Broadstairs Dickens Festival 17-19 June
Broadstairs, Kent
Returning after a Covid year off, the annual Dickens festival celebrates its 85th year
www.broadstairsdickensfestival.co.uk Barnes Children’s Literature Festival 21-26 June
Various venues in Barnes
London’s largest designated children’s literature festival has featured some of children’s writing’s biggest stars, including Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo and Judith Kerr
www.barneskidslitfest.org Felixstowe Book Festival 24-26 June
The Orwell Hotel
A rich mix of writing and book-related events by the sea, with fiction, non-fiction, poetry and workshops. Planned as live events this year after last year’s mix of socially distanced events and live streams
www.felixstowebookfestival.co.uk Proms at St Jude’s Litfest 25-26 June
The Henrietta Barnett School, Central Square, London NW11 7BN
Top fiction and non-fiction authors in an intimate setting. Programme published late March.
www.promsatstjudes.org.uk Sidmouth Literary Festival June TBC
Kennaway House, Sidmouth
A literary weekend with talks, signings and writers’ events
www.sidmouthlitfest.co.uk
JULY Frome Festival 1-10 July
Venues around Frome, Somerset
The Frome Festival is a community/arts festival which includes a range a literary events, many of which are organised by the Frome Writers Collective. Events include: the Short Story Competition Prize Giving, the Small Publishers Fair, the Hip Yak Poetry Shack, talks and performances by authors and poets, literary walks, plays by Frome Drama Club and this year Richard III written and directed by Martin Dimery in his final year as festival Creative Director. Books are available through Frome’s independent bookshop Hunting Raven.
www.fromefestival.co.uk Ledbury Poetry Festival 1-10 July
Ledbury, Herefordshire, and online
Ledbury Poetry Festival is billed as ‘the biggest, brightest, most superlatively international celebration of poetry and spoken word in the UK’. Poets from all over the world gather in this independent market town to perform, write, read and listen to poetry. Contemporary literary titans stand alongside upcoming talents to illuminate a thrillingly electric mix of events, from readings, performance poetry, masterclasses, walks, talks and films through to breakfasts, music, exhibitions and bike rides. Includes an international poetry competition with categories for adults, young people and children. Events are online and f2f.
www.poetry-festival.co.uk Frome Small Publishers Fair 2 July
The Silk Mill Gallery, Merchants Barton, Saxonvale, Frome BA11 1PT
Returning after a cancelled 2021, a day for readers, writers, publishers, illustrators, and visitors of all ages. A wide range of publications and publishing services will be on display to interest, excite and buy, and friendly advice on publishing will be available from the Frome Writers’ Collective stand.
http://fromesmallpublishersfair.co.uk/ Penzance Literary Festival 6-9 July
The Acorn Theatre, Parade St Penzance and other local venues
The ‘friendliest Litfest in the West’ - now back for its 11th year. A mix of talks,
workshops and related entertainment from a range of local and national contributors. This year’s theme is ‘Resilience’.
www.pzlitfest.co.uk Buxton International Festival 7-24 July
Buxton Opera House, Pavilion Arts Centre and Devonshire Campus
Annual festival of opera, music and literature. Some events online
www.buxtonfestival.co.uk Ways With Words July TBC
Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon 10-day festival of words and ideas
www.wayswithwords.co.uk John Clare Society Festival 15-17 July
Helpstone, near Peterborough
Annual celebration of the life and work of the important nature poet, with literary events, music and drama, themed this year ‘The Importance of Tradition’.
https://johnclaresociety.wordpress.com/ Latitude Festival 21-24 July
Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk Multi-award winning festival based in Suffolk that started in 2006, providing an eclectic mix of music, theatre, dance, food,
comedy, art, and more.
www.latitudefestival.com Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Harrogate 21-24 July
Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate
Celebrating the very best in crime fiction, the festival is a firm date in the literary calendar and has achieved international acclaim for the programming, organisation and atmosphere. Planned to be live events this year.
www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/ festivals Bradford Literature Festival 24 June-3 July
Various Bradford venues
Bradford Literature Festival is a cultural and literary extravaganza, with over 200 events packed across 10 days, celebrating the written and spoken word in all its wonderful forms. Every year BLF invites world-renowned authors, poets, musicians and artists to visit the spectacular city of Bradford to share their expertise and passions.
www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk Dartington International Summer School and Festival TBC usually late July
Dartington Hall
Music and arts festival with some poetry and creative writing events; planning on hold for Covid.
www.dartington.org
AUGUST Edinburgh International Book Festival 13-29 August
Edinburgh College of Art
The Edinburgh International Book
Festival welcomes writers, thinkers, poets and performers from around the world to engage, entertain and debate with audiences in the beautiful indoor and open, grassy outdoor spaces of the University of Edinburgh’s Edinburgh College of
Art. While the full programme and event details will not be announced until the end of June, the Book Festival team are planning a range of live online author talks, workshops and readings and, only if circumstances permit, some events for in person, albeit socially distanced, audiences.
www.edbookfest.co.uk Swanwick Writers’ Summer School 13-19 August
The Hayes Conference Centre, Derbyshire Swanwick Summer School is a week-long programme for writers of all ages, abilities and genres. Featuring courses, workshops, guest speakers, panels and optional oneto-one sessions at one fully inclusive price. Previous guest speakers have included Iain Banks, Peter James, Helen Lederer, Deborah Moggach and Simon Brett. Full programme details are available on the website.
www.swanwickwritersschool.org.uk Tunbridge Wells Poetry Festival August TBC
Online and staged events combine to offer poetry lovers well beyond the Kent spa town a host of unique experiences.
Poetry for all, big or small, with a wide variety of reading events, workshops and performances.
www.twpoetryfestival.com Nairn Book and Arts Festival 27 August-3 September
Nairn Community and Arts Centre and Various
Eight days of literary talks, performances, live music, storytelling, creative writing/ art workshops and more in the historic Highland seaside town of Nairn
Www.nairnfestival.co.uk Chorleywood Literary Festival Autumn TBC
Online or assorted venues depending on Covid status
An autumn programme of literary events organised by Chiltern Bookshops. Lots of authors lots of interesting conversations, lots of fun. Chiltern Bookshop also hosts an ongoing series of top author talks in the area.
chilternbookshops.co.uk
SEPTEMBER Hastings Litfest September TBC
Hastings venues
Lively literature festival on the South Coast
http://hastingslitfest.org/ Write Festival September TBC
The Word, Tyneside
Celebrating the written word in all its forms with a busy programme of events
http://theworduk.org/write-festival/ NAWGFest September TBC
Yarnfield Park Centre, Staffordshire NAWG’s annual festival of writing, offering workshops on various genres, and a Gala Dinner with guest speaker, and other talks, workshops, and networking opportunities.
www.nawg.co.uk Chiswick Book Festival 7-14 September
Various venues in Chiswick
A long weekend of author events, bringing readers and writers together in aid of reading charities.
www.chiswickbookfestival.net Wirksworth Book Festival 9-18 September
Around Wirksworth
Mixed rural arts festival, locally based, with some literary content, all events free or very low cost.
www.wirksworthfestival.co.uk/tag/bookfestival Gladfest September TBC
Gladstone’s Library, Hawarden, Flintshire Gladfest is a boutique literary festival, affordable and accessible with a programme of poets, writers and politicians.
www.gladstoneslibrary.org Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival 14-18 September
Various venues in town
A celebration of great writing with bestselling authors, lively panel conversations debut writers, workshops and events for families.
www.budlitfest.org.uk Appledore Book Festival 15-24 September
Various venues in Appledore, North Devon Literary festival and fringe. some of the greatest names from the world of literature, broadcasting and media. They will also be running various workshops, children’s activities, musical evenings and exclusive ‘Friends of the Festival’ events.
www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk Noirwich Crime Writing Festival 15-18 September
Venues around Norwich
Fast growing celebration of crime writing with some big names every year.
https://noirwich.co.uk Richmond Walking and Books Festival 17-25 September
Venues in and around Richmond, North Yorkshire
A full programme of walks and book events. Be inspired: meet celebrated authors and discover new ones. Be invigorated: explore the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in autumn enjoy daily walks for amblers, ramblers and serious walkers led by friendly guides, keen to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for the Dales.
www.booksandboots.org Jersey Festival of Words 21-25 September
Jersey Arts Centre, Jersey Library, other venues TBC
Five day literary event promoting a love of the written and spoken word across the community in a variety of styles and settings.
www.jerseyfestivalofwords.org Wimbledon BookFest Sunset Festival 22-25 September
Big Tent, Wimbledon Common
One of two events bookending summer in Wimbledon marquees.
www.wimbledonbookfest.org Bath Festival of Children’s Literature 23 Sept-2 Oct
Various venues around Bath.
Europe’s largest Children’s Literature Festival with a vibrant array of talks and
activities.
https://bathfestivals.org.uk Wigtown Book Festival 23 Sept-2 October
Various venues in and around Wigtown, Dumfries and Galloway
A ten day celebration of literature and reading in Scotland’s National Book Town.
www.wigtownbookfestival.com King’s Lynn Poetry Festival September TBC
King’s Lynn Town Hall
Presenting some of the best contemporary writers of verse in a friendly and informal setting.
www.lynnlitfests.com Graham Greene International Festival 29 September-2 October
Various venues in Berkhamsted
Celebrating Graham Greene’s life and works in the author’s hometown. An opportunity to learn more about this highly influential writer in a welcoming and convivial atmosphere.
http://grahamgreenebt.org Marlborough Literature Festival 29 Sept-2 Oct
Venues around Marlborough
The festival aims to champion new, upcoming writers as well as established names and also encourage a love of reading in children and young people with author talks, competitions and our ongoing community outreach programme. The second ‘Love Books’ national competition is running until 30 June, in association with Bath Spa University (www.lovebookscompetition.org) All Marlborough LitFest 2021 events will abide by the Covid-19 guidelines at the time of the festival.
www.marlboroughlitfest.org
OCTOBER Guildford Book Festival October TBC
Various venues in Guildford
The Guildford Book Festival is one of the leading literary festivals in the South-East bringing together a vibrant mix of speakers to inspire, educate and entertain. Events are held at venues throughout the town, with a few events held online.
www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk
Lincoln Book Festival October TBC
The Collection, Lincoln
The region’s premier literature festival takes place in an archeology museum and has a clear focus on historical fiction and history writing.
www.lincolnbookfestival.org Mole Valley Arts Alive Festival, Surrey 1-31 October
Online and across venues in Mole Valley, Surrey
The Mole Valley Arts Alive Festival comprises 70+ physical and virtual arts events in the fields of music (from folk, jazz, classical and popular genres), theatre, literature, dance, film, painting, poetry, modern and traditional crafting and horticulture.
www.arts-alive.co.uk Off the Shelf Festival of Words October TBC
Various Sheffield venues
Innovative and wide-ranging Sheffieldbased literature and media festival
http://offtheshelf.org.uk/ Manchester Literature Festival October TBC
Various Manchester venues and online Annual literature festival celebrating poetry, fiction and culture
www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk Warwick Words History Festival 3-9 October
Various venues in Warwick town centre A festival celebrating local and national history and heritage through lectures, talks, walks and study days
www.warwickwords.co.uk Isle of Wight Literary Festival 6-9 October
Northwood House and around Cowes
The Isle of Wight Literary Festival, an established event on the UK Arts calendar, held its first festival in 2012. The festival provides a far reaching, eclectic programme designed to attract a wide audience and increase the cultural richness of the Isle of Wight. Past speakers include historians Andrew Roberts and Tracy Borman, fiction authors Alexander McCall Smith and Jojo Moyes, forensic psychologists Kerry Daynes and Dr Gwen Adshead. The festival is osted at Northwood House, Cowes over four days with more than 60 writers and presenters talking about their latest works and providing thought provoking insights.
www.isleofwightliteraryfestival.com Birmingham Literature Festival
6-9 October, TBC
Taking place every year in October, the Birmingham Literature Festival is a leading festival in the Midlands, showcasing writers, speakers, thinkers, activists and artists from the UK and across the world. They programme and commission a wide range of innovative literature and literature-inspired work, creating unique opportunities for audiences to experience high quality events via our annual festival programmes and associated projects.
www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org Cheltenham Literature Festival 7-16 October
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
One of the UK’s longest-running and biggest festivals, always attracts major writers and thinkers from around the world
www.cheltenhamfestivals.com Ilkley Literature Festival 7-23 October
Venues across Ilkley, West Yorkshire
The Festival is held over 17 days at the start of October in a miniature Victorian spa town at the foot of Ilkley Moor. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, Ilkley is only fifteen minutes from the Leeds-Bradford airport and a stone’s throw from Haworth, Harrogate, Leeds and Bradford. In a typical year, around 150 events on subjects of poetry, fiction, memoir and non-fiction take place.
www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk Dorchester Literary Festival October, TBC
County Museum and Dorchester venues Talks, workshops, conversations and discussions with acclaimed writers talking about their work in a town steeped in rich literary associations
http://dorchesterliteraryfestival.com/ Durham Book Festival TBC October
Venues in and around Durham
Durham Book Festival is a Durham County Council event produced by New Writing North and is part of Durham County Council’s exciting festivals programme.
The festival takes place in and around the beautiful city of Durham each October. Events are held in a range of iconic venues including the historic Durham Town Hall, Durham Cathedral and the Gala Theatre. Physical events planned for this year
http://durhambookfestival.com/ Mere Literary Festival 11-18 October
Various venues in Mere, Wiltshire
Small literary festival with talks from a wide variety of authors
www.mereliteraryfestival.com Berwick Literary Festival 13-16 October
Various venues around Berwick upon Tweed The 9th edition of the Friendly Festival in a Walled Town celebrates words - written, spoken & performed
www.berwickliteraryfestival.com Small Wonder Festival 13-16 October
Charleston Farmhouse, Lewes, East Sussex Small Wonder is the UK’s only festival dedicated to short stories and short form writing. Enjoy a long weekend celebrating short stories, lyrics, poetry, letters, essays, comics, cartoons. Each year the festival is joined by leading writers who share their stories of ideas and inspiration, and who show the real power of words. Previous festival speakers have included Ben Okri, Ingrid Persaud, Raymond Antrobus, Carol Ann Duffy, Kate Mosse and Rob Cowen.
www.charleston.org.uk/festival/ Wells Festival of Literature October TBC
Wells Cathedral School, Wells, Somerset Festival of literature designed to entertain, inform and promote a love of books
www.wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk Canterbury Festival October, dates TBC
Various venues across Canterbury
General arts festival with literature, poetry and performance strands
www.canterburyfestival.co.uk Thame Arts and Literature Festival October, TBC,
venues around Thame Family-friendly general arts festival with some literary events
www.talfestival.org Yeovil Literary Festival 20-24 October
The Octagon Theatre, and Westlands, Yeovil Usually over 50 speakers covering every topic. This festival is for thinkers, readers, writers and culture loving people of all ages..
www.yeovilliteraryfestival.co.uk Raworth’s Harrogate Literature Festival TBC October
Crown Hotel, Harrogate
Four days packed with some of the biggest names from the worlds of fiction and nonfiction.
http://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
NOVEMBER Creative Folkestone Book Festival November, TBC
Folkestone Book Festival is one of the UK’s longest running literary festivals. Every year, the town is transformed into a haven for book lovers and literary afficionados. Talks and events bring people together in the dark winter months to share thoughts, ideas and stories from across the globe.
www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/folkestonebook-festival/ Southwold Festival November TBC
St Edmund’s Hall and St Edmund’s Church, Southwold
5-day literature festival run by Ways With Words in the Suffolk seaside resort
www.wayswithwords.co.uk Poetry in Aldeburgh Festival November, TBC
Aldeburgh and Snape Maltings, Suffolk Workshops, readings and appearances by leading poets
www.poetryinaldeburgh.org Richmond upon Thames Literature Festival 5-21 November
Various venues across the borough
Rooted in Richmond yet global in outlook; Richmond Lit Fest gathers writers, cultural observers and communities for stimulating, meaningful and thoughtprovoking experiences, enriching lives and inspiring a community of readers and thinkers
www.richmondliterature.com Bridport Literary Festival November, TBC
Bridport Arts Centre and other venues, Dorset
A long-running festival, centred round the Bridport Prize prize-giving lunch, with appearances from the judges
www.bridlit.com Stratford Literary Festival Winter Weekend November TBC
Set in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, this 6 day long series of events will offer something for every book lover, with talks and conversations with leading and upcoming authors as well as fun workshops for kids.
www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk Louder than Words 11-13 November
The Innside, Manchester, and live online Three-day celebration of popular music writing, with artists and writers contributing, hosted by John Robb
https://louderthanwordsfest.com Swindon Youth Festival of Literature November TBC
Various Swindon schools venues and the Wyvern Theatre
The Festival is a collaborative project co-ordinated by the Librarians of the 11 Swindon Secondary Schools which aims to celebrate and promote reading, writing and creativity to the student population.
www.swindonyfl.co.uk Maryport Arts & Literature Festival 18-20 November
Senhouse Roman Museum, Cumbria a mixture of live and Zoom events over the weekend. Theme: ‘Frontiers, Walls and Disputed Landscapes’, linked to the ‘Hadrians Wall 1900’ year-long Festival in Cumbria.
www.senhousemuseum.co.uk/whatson Hay Festival Winter Weekend 23-27 November
Hay-on-Wye
The programme blends literary conversation, immersive performances and family workshops, taking place within the stunning surrounds of the town’s independent bookshops, cafés, and markets.
www.hayfestival.com
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