WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
Workshops
Developing your Creativity Children’s Workshop – Make Your Own Book! Flash Fiction Marketing and Promotion for Authors Sports Journalism Songwriting Scriptwriting…
Meet the Agent
The appointments to pitch your novel to literary agent Louise Buckley have now been taken – sorry! How to book your…
Author Talks
Award-winning and top-selling authors talk about their approach and their latest publications.
Book Fair
The Book Fair will be held at the Stade Hall, Hastings, on Saturday 1 September and will open to…
Evening events
Film, poetry reading, plays and a concert to help you make the most of your time in Hastings.
AUTHORS AND SPEAKERS
Kevin Brooks
Panellist, children's fiction
Author of novels and stories for adults, young adults and younger people
Sheila Bugler
Crime panellist
Author of the acclaimed series of crime novels featuring DI Ellen Kelly
Kathryn Evans
Panellist, children's fiction
Winner, Edinburgh International Book Festival First Book Award
Laura Wilson
Chair, crime fiction panel
Crime novelist and chief reviewer of Crime Fiction for The Guardian
Programme
This programme is subject to change. Please check back for more details.
- Friday 31 August
- Saturday 1 September
- Sunday 2 September
- 13.00
Opening event at Opus Theatre with Festival Patron, Sir David Hare
Opening event and drinks reception. With Julian Sands. (more…)
- 14.45 – 16.45
Workshop 1: Researching for Historical Fiction, Jerwood Gallery Studio
Researching for Historical Fiction with Toni Mount. Add authenticity and find period inspiration for your writing. (more…)
- 14.45 – 17.00
Workshop 2: Songwriting with Anna Page, The Garage at Horse and Groom, St Leonards
Discover the magic of putting words to music.
- 15.00 – 16.00
An Audience With Mavis Cheek, White Rock Hotel
Self-styled feminist, subversive woman author – with jokes! (more…)
- 16.15 – 17.15
Rianna Walcott discusses The Colour of Madness, White Rock Hotel
The co-editor discusses The Colour of Madness, an anthology comprised of poetry, fiction, essays, memoirs and art from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) writers, academics, mental health workers, artists and those who are still navigating life with mental health problems.
- 15.00
Simon Mawer – Meet the author, Opus Theatre
Simon will be discussing his new novel, Prague Spring. (more…)
- 15.45 – 16.30
Talk by Michael Arditti, Opus Theatre
Talk by Michael Arditti, novelist and critic, Winner of Waterstones’ Mardi Gras Award. (more…)
- 19.30
Poetry at the Palace, Electric Palace Cinema
Poetry at the Palace: Poets John McCullough and Jackie Wills read and discuss their work. Hosted by Antony Mair. (more…)
- 19.30
London Mozart Players Chamber Ensemble, Opus Theatre
Music with a back-story by Boccherini, Mozart and Tchaikovsky, from this world-renowned ensemble. (more…)
- 19.30
Two Plays by John Knowles, the Garage
John Knowles presents two of his monologues,‘Caliban’s Codex’ and ‘Toby Belch is Unwell’ (more…)
- 10.00 – 16.00
Book Fair, Stade Hall
Book Fair – New Books & Meet the authors. Free entry – open to public. (more…)
- 11.15 – 13.30
Workshop 3: Sports Journalism, Jerwood Gallery
Sports Journalism with Pete May, journalist and author, associate lecturer in sports journalism at the London College of Communication. For all budding sports writers.
- 10.00 – 12.00
Writing for children and young adults, Opus Theatre
Panel discussion Writing for children and young adults, meet the authors – with Kevin Brooks, Elizabeth Dale, Katie Dale, Kathryn Evans and Kate O’Hearn. (more…)
- 10.00 – 17.00
Workshop 4: Creativity, Archers Lodge
Workshop 4 in Creativity, run by Explore the Arch.Do you know that game where whispered words ripple through a group? They morph in delightful and unexpected ways. Experience the evolution of words over a day in three ExploreTheArch workshops on creativity
Ticket £10 plus booking fee available from explorethearch.com,
- 10.00 – 17.00
Workshop 5: Scriptwriting, Stables Theatre
Playwright John Knowles will be leading on a day-long workshop exploring the practicalities of writing for the theatre and taking your script, from page to stage.
(more…) - 10.00 – 11.15
Rachel Malik, White Rock Hotel
Rachel Malik, author of Miss Boston and Miss Hargreaves in conversation with Financial Times journalist, Emma Boyde. (more…)
- 11.30 – 12.30
David Gaffney, White Rock Hotel
Cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances (more…)
- 12.45 – 14.00
Ed Boxall – ‘Me and my Alien Friend’, Hastings Library
A free family activity for ages 4 to 12 and their parents. (more…)
- 13.30 – 17.15
Meet the Agent, White Rock Hotel
Pitch your novel to Louise Buckley of Zeno Agency. (more…)
- 14.00 – 16.45
Workshop 6: Flash Fiction, Jerwood Gallery
Flash Fiction Workshop 6 with Michael Loveday. (more…)
- 14.00 – 16.30
Workshop 7: Marketing and promotion for authors, White Rock Hotel
In this practical workshop participants will discover the basics of marketing and promotion, and leave with insights they can apply immediately. (more…)
- 14.00 – 15.00
Sophie Hannah, Opus Theatre
Sophie Hannah, award winning author and recreator of Agatha Christie novels, talks about her work. (more…)
- 15.15 – 16.00
Alison Moore in conversation with Nicolette Jones, Opus Theatre
Man Booker Prize shortlisted and McKitterick prize-winning author Alison Moore talks about her work with journalist, Nicolette Jones. (more…)
- 17.15 – 18.15
Patrick Gale, White Rock Hotel
Patrick in conversation – full details soon of this late addition to our programme!
- 19.30
Film, Ginger Snaps, introductory talk by Dr Kaja Franck, Electric Palace Cinema
- 19.30
The Pantaloons present The Importance of Being Earnest!, Opus Theatre
Hilarious take on the Oscar Wilde classic. (more…)
- 19.30
Sir David Hare introduces The Hours, Kino Teatr
Screening of this Stephen Daldry film, screenplay by David Hare based on Michael Cunningham’s 1998 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same title. (more…)
- 10.00 – 11.30
Brunch with Maggie Alderson, White Rock Hotel
Maggie discusses her latest novel, The Scent of You and her earlier work. (more…)
- 11.15 – 13.00
Workshop 8: Make your own book!, Jerwood Gallery Studio
Workshop for young people (10 yrs +) (more…)
- 10.00 – 12.00
Crime Fiction panel discussion, Royal Victoria Hotel
Crime Fiction panel discussion chaired by Laura Wilson, The Guardian’s chief crime fiction reviewer with Sheila Bugler, Chris Curran, Marnie Riches and David Videcette. (more…)
- 12.00 – 13.30
Closing ceremony, Royal Victoria Hotel
Closing ceremony and drinks reception. Announcement of Winners (more…)
LATEST NEWS
Now confirmed: Mavis Cheek will speak on Friday 31st August