Hastings Book Festival

The 9th annual Hastings Book Festival will take place from 10th to 20th September 2026, with 40 events and more than 80 speakers and performers.
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This year’s festival promises another fascinating programme of talks, workshops, children’s events and live performances for anyone with an interest in writing, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, the spoken word, books and all things literary!
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Our headline guests are: historian, writer and broadcaster David Olusoga; international bestselling author Kate Mosse; Roger McGough, ‘the godfather of modern poetry’; and Robin Ince, comedian, broadcaster, writer and poet. The new Children’s Laureate Patrice Lawrence will talk about her writing life, children’s literature and her role as Laureate. Luke Kennard, currently longlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize, will discuss his brilliant novel Black Bag. Renowned historian Professor Tom Licence, whose revelatory research into the Battle of Hastings has made global news headlines recently, will feature in a Norman Conquest double-bill with Sam Davey.
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Naomi Wood will perform her amazing one-woman show Monster, and a great line-up of poets will be taking to our stages: Luke Kennard, Henry Normal, Salena Godden, Andy Riley, John Osborne, James Domestic and others.
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Book early, as these headline events may well sell out!