You are invited to take part in a Performative Reading Competition. This might be the first live on in the world.
We’ll explain.
Performative reading is the perceived act of reading in public to pose, look cool and gain attention. It is considered a social media trend but, c’mon, a lot of us have done it.
Reading in the open can get you attention. So why not dress for the occasion and behave accordingly.
Competition: people should enjoy reading in any way they wish (within decency and reason) so let’s celebrate flamboyant, extrovert, gussied up reading, possibly with accessories. Hastings is the town of doing great things in public with, frequently, a beverage nearby. Let’s do that with a book.
How to get involved
Come to the Downstairs Bar, White Rock Hotel, 1-10 White Rock, Hastings, on Sunday 13 September 2026, between 6pm and 8pm.
Your judges will be the public. They will be briefed to look at your choice of book, dress, body-language, accessories and the atmosphere you exude. Interpret this as you like,
This competition is open to anyone over 18 years old who can be in Hastings on 13th September 2026.
If you do not wish to read in public, please just come along for a Hastings Book Festival social and to judge our performative readers. Everyone not competing can have a say.
You can also share a photo on social media of you performatively reading a book. It doesn’t have to be in public. Share it on Bsky, Instagram, Facebook, X (sigh, Twitter) or TikTok. Tag Hastings Book Festival, use the hashtag #HastingsBookFestPRC. If that’s not your thing, email your picture to us.
Good luck and good reading!
