Opportunities to get published
Boswell Book Festival
7-9 May
Dumfries House, Cumnock, Ayrshire
The world’s only festival of biography and memoir, includes Boswell Children’s Festival www.boswellbookfestival.co.uk
Ullapool Book Festival
7-9 May
Ullapool Village Hall
A literary festival held in the Highlands, with fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Planned as a socially distanced live festival, but with online provision if necessary www.ullapoolbookfestival.co.uk
Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature
May TBC
Online only this year
A ten day literary festival with an eclectic mix of talks by a variety of authors. www.foweyfestival.com
Stratford Literary Festival
8-16 May
Multiple venues in Stratford-upon-Avon Celebrating its 14th year in 2021, Stratford Literary Festival offers something for everyone, young and old. This year’s spring festival will deliver a fantastic lineup of conversations, talks and debates with leading and upcoming authors, along with fun workshops and activities for kids. www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk
Bath Festival
14-23 May
Various venues in Bath
Bath’s flagship festival, seven days of music and books; with some physical events and virtual broadcasts, with all events filmed to be viewed online later https://bathfestivals.org.uk
Norfolk and Norwich Festival
14-30 May
Venues around Norwich
General arts festival with some literature events, and a workshop weekend at the National Centre for Writing, 22-23 May https://nnfestival.org.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
Charleston Festival
TBC May
Charleston Farmhouse, Lewes, East Sussex Annual festival with big name guests and a beautiful location – entirely digital in 2020 www.charleston.org.uk/festival/
Perth Festival of Arts
Late May TBC
Mostly online, plus drive-in cinema
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
Hay Festival
26 May-6 June
Online
The world’s leading literary celebration Hay Festival brings writers and readers together online for its 34th spring edition, broadcasting hundreds of free live events from studios in the picturesque booktown of Hayon-Wye to the world. The Festival’s 200 events offering an inspiring blend of conversations, debates, workshops and performances. www.hayfestival.com
Derby Book Festival
27 May-5 June
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 of writers, poets, historians, illustrators, storytellers and musicians. www.derbybookfestival.co.uk
JUNE Essex Book Festival
June-August
Venues across Essex
From trees, bees and wild seas to climate change, protest and utopia there will be something for everyone. There will be author talks, writing workshops, challenging panel discussions, crafting and story-telling. Pushed further back in the year to allow for physical events, the festival starts virtually in June, with physical events planned for July onwards www.essexbookfestival.org.uk
Ashbourne Festival
Summer
Ashbourne, Derbyshire
Multi-arts event with some literary activities, this year, spread over the entire summer www.ashbournefestival.org
Jericho Writers Festival of Writing
June-September
Online
An online festival covering everything you need to write, edit, and get your book published. Featuring the biggest names in publishing, live in your living room. https://jerichowriters.com/
Listowel Writers’ Week
2-6 June
Listowel, Co Kerry, Ireland
One of Ireland’s longest running, most popular and prestigious literary festivals, with art, theatre, music, tours, a children’s festival, and an extensive programme of writers’ workshops. www.writersweek.ie
Wimbledon BookFest
9-13 June and 15-19 September
Big Tent, Wimbledon Common
Twin events bookending summer in socially distanced, roof-only marquees www.wimbledonbookfest.org
Books by the Beach
11-13 June
Venues around Scarborough
Guests last year included Maggie O’Farrell and Louise Doughty. Usually held in April www.booksbythebeach.co.uk
Montgomery Literary Festival
11-13 June, Montgomery
Young festival, planned to return with live events this year https://montylitfest.com/
Immrama, The Lismore Festival of Travel Writing
June TBC
Venues in Lismore Town, Co Waterford Presentations by national and international renowned travel writers www.lismoreimmrama.com
Broadstairs Dickens Festival
18-20 June
Broadstairs, Kent
The annual Dickens festival has run every year since 1937 except wartime. www.broadstairsdickensfestival.co.uk
Felixstowe Book Festival
25-27 June
The Orwell Hotel and online
A rich mix of writing and book-related events with fiction, non-fiction, poetry and workshops. This year, a mix of socially distanced events and live streams www.felixstowebookfestival.co.uk
Bradford Literature Festival
June-July TBC
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
London Book Fair
29 June-1 July
Olympia, West London
Rescheduled from early spring, 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 JULY
Beyond the Border
2-4 July
Dinefwr Park, Carmarthenshire
Annual storytelling event, which incorporates a programme of music, craft, nature and wellbeing. Also ongoing online events www.beyondtheborder.com
Hexham Book Festival
2-11 July
Spiegeltent
Programme TBA in early May www.hexhambookfestival.co.uk
Ledbury Poetry Festival
2-11 July
Ledbury, Herefordshire, and online
Ledbury Poetry Festival is billed as the biggest and brightest celebration of poetry and spoken word in the UK with readings, performance poetry, masterclasses, walks, talks and films through to breakfasts, music, exhibitions and bike rides. Events are online and face to face. www.poetry-festival.co.uk
Frome Festival
2-11 July
Venues around Frome, Somerset
The Festival includes headlining bands, comedians, classical recitals, the Hidden Gardens, the Food Feast, the Open
Studios, the Frome Tunnels, poetry, theatre, literary events, the Short Story Competition, the Small Publishers Fair, Children’s events, walks, talks, exhibitions and workshops. This year, a busy programme is planned, allowing for social distancing. www.fromefestival.co.uk
Frome Small Publishers Fair
3 July
The Silk Mill Gallery, Merchants Barton, Saxonvale, Frome BA11 1PT
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
7-10 July TBC
The Acorn Theatre and other nearby sites A festival renowned for its friendliness with affordable tickets, a varied programme and a great location. All details tentative. www.pzlitfest.co.uk
Buxton International Festival 8-25 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
9-19 July TBC
Dartington Hall, Devon
10-day festival of words and ideas www.wayswithwords.co.uk
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Harrogate 22-25 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 Latitude Festival
22-25 July
Henham Park, 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
Charles Causley Festival
23-25 July TBC
Venues in Launceston
Literature and arts festival celebrating the famous Cornish poet Charles Causley, including writing and art workshops, poetry readings and slams. Tentatively plans physical events this year – was all digital in 2020 http://charlescausleyfestival.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
Swanwick Writers’ Summer School 7-13 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 one-to-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 Edinburgh International Book Festival 14-30 August
Edinburgh College of Art
The 2021 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
Hastings Litfest
August TBC
Hastings venues
Lively literature festival on the South Coast http://hastingslitfest.org/
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. chilternbookshops.co.uk
Steyning Festival
3-5 September
Steyning
Popular biannual general arts festival with literary strand, rescheduled this year from its usual spring schedule and scaled down, with a programme of socially distanced events www.steyningfestival.co.uk
NAWGFest
3-5 September
Yarnfield Park Centre, Staffordshire NAWG’s annual festival of writing, offering workshops on various genres, and a gala dinner with speaker Samantha Tonge, and other talks, workshops, and networking opportunities. www.nawg.co.uk
Nairn Book and Arts Festival 4-12 September
Various Nairn venues
A celebration of literature and the arts in the beautiful and historic seaside town of Nairn in the Scottish Highlands, with live and online events this year. nairnfestival.co.uk
Noirwich Crime Writing Festival 9-12 September
Venues around Norwich
Fast growing celebration of crime writing with some big names every year https://noirwich.co.uk
Chiswick Book Festival 9-12 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
10-19 September
Around Wirksworth
Moved later in the year to allow physical events: mixed rural arts festival, locally based, with some literary content, all events free or very low cost. www.wirksworthfestival.co.uk/tag/bookfestival
Gladfest
11-12 September
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
Baillie Gifford Borders Book Festival 15-19 September
Harmony Garden, Melrose
A friendly festival with more than 100 events aimed at adult readers and families, moved back from June for Covid www.bordersbookfestival.org
Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival 15-19 September
Various including Public Hall and St Peter’s Church Budleigh
The festival has 5 days of best selling authors, panel events and workshops with activities for kids, a hub marquee and bookshop and all set right beside the seaside. Lots of online events
www.budlitfest.org.uk Appledore Book Festival 16-25 September
Various venues in Appledore, North Devon Literary festival and fringe. A successful drivein festival in 2020.
www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk Richmond Walking and Books Festival 18-26 September
Venues in and around Richmond, North Yorkshire
A varied and creative festival with a wide range of interesting literary events and a programme of walks to suit various levels of fitness and experience www.booksandboots.org
Jersey Festival of Words 22-26 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
Graham Greene International Festival 23-26 September TBC
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
Wigtown Book Festival 23 Sept-3 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
Manx Litfest
September TBC
Various venues around the Isle of Man The Isle of Man’s annual literary festival, a gathering of authors, illustrators, poets, storytellers and readers from around the British Isles http://manxlitfest.com
Bath Festival of Children’s Literature 24 Sept-3 Oct
Various Bath venues
The largest dedicated children’s literature festival in the UK, which regularly features the biggest names in children’s writing
https://bathfestivals.org.uk King’s Lynn Poetry Festival 24-26 September
King’s Lynn Town Hall
An annual festival dedicated to poets and poetry www.lynnlitfests.com
Marlborough Literature Festival 30 Sept- 3 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 an ongoing community outreach programme. All Marlborough
LitFest 2021 events will abide by the Covid-19 guidelines at the time of the festival www.marlboroughlitfest.org
OCTOBER Birmingham Literature Festival
October TBC
Online
A mix of live-streamed events, podcasts, and writing workshops over October. www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org
Mole Valley Arts e-live Festival, Surrey
1-31 October
Online at www.arts-alive.co.uk and across venues (COVID permitting) in Mole Valley, Surrey, UK
Community Arts Festival, winner of the
2021 ‘Hearts for the Arts’ award for Best Arts Project, National Campaign for the Arts www.arts-alive.co.uk
Ilkley Literature Festival October TBC
Venues across Ilkley, West Yorkshire
Over 200 events including fiction, poetry, history, politics and science, as well as workshops and masterclasses www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk
Guildford Book Festival
3-10 October
Various venues in Guildford
Now in its 32nd year 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
Off the Shelf Festival of Words
October TBC
Various Sheffield venues
Innovative and wide-ranging Sheffield-based literature and media festival http://offtheshelf.org.uk/
Manchester Literature Festival October TBC
Various venues across Manchester
Annual literature festival celebrating poetry, fiction and culture www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
Warwick Words History Festival
4-10 October
Various venues in Warwick town centre Festival with a firm focus on history and historical writing www.warwickwords.co.uk
Isle of Wight Literary Festival October TBC
Northwood House and around Cowes
Annual literature festival attracting big names. Physical events planned for this year after an entirely streamed event last year. www.isleofwightliteraryfestival.com
Cheltenham Literature Festival
8-17 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
Dorchester Literary Festival 9-16 October
County Museum and other 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
Durham venues
The festival takes place in 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 after last year’s entirely digital programme 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
14-17 October
Online; physical events planned if permitted A festival of words: written, spoken, performed, Berwick Literary Festival is a friendly festival in the historic town, with a series of workshops, performances and talks. www.berwickliteraryfestival.com
Wells Festival of Literature
15-23 October
Venues in Wells, Somerset
Festival of literature designed to entertain, inform and promote a love of books www.wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk
Canterbury Festival
16-30 October
Various venues across Canterbury
General arts festival with literature, poetry and performance strands www.canterburyfestival.co.uk
Raworth’s Harrogate Literature Festival
TBC October
Crown Hotel, Harrogate
Four fantastic days packed with big names from the worlds of fiction and non-fiction. http://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
Yeovil Literary Festival
28 Oct-1 Nov
The Octagon Theatre, Yeovil, and other Yeovil venues
Literature, comedy and arts events from wellknown literary figures, comedians, celebrities and exciting new writers. www.yeovilliteraryfestival.co.uk NOVEMBER
Southwold Festival
4-8 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
5-7 November
Aldeburgh and Snape Maltings, Suffolk Workshops, readings and appearances by leading poets www.poetryinaldeburgh.org
Bridport Literary Festival
7-13 Novemer
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
9-14 November
Multiple venues in Stratford-upon-Avon
Set in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, this 6-day long series of events will offer something for everyone who loves a good book. Featuring talks and conversations with leading and upcoming authors as well as fun workshops for kids, the lineup is designed to inspire and entertain. www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk
Louder than Words
12-14 November
The Principal Hotel, Manchester
Three-day celebration of popular music writing, with artists and writers contributing,
hosted by John Robb https://louderthanwordsfest.com
Folkestone Book Festival
November TBC
Venues around Folkestone, Kent
An annual invitation to gather, tell stories, exchange ideas and keep warm together. Previous authors include Ben Okri, Caroline Lucas, Anthony Seldon, Elif Shafak and Lemn Sissay. www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/folkestonebook-festival/
Hay Festival Winter Weekend
25-28 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
Richmond upon Thames Literature Festival
TBC November
Various venues across the borough
A festival of books and words, tales, talks and ideas taking place across Richmond upon Thames every November www.richmondliterature.com