All you need to know to make the most of the full calendar of events.
The Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival is back for another year and with a whole host of names from the world of literature. Literary lovers can enjoy more than 30 events including author talks across town at venues including The Assembly Hall Theatre, The Amelia Scott, Trinity Theatre, The Forum and many more.
These guests need no introduction
Richard Ayoade’s The Unfinished Harauld Hughes is the narrative of the making of a documentary that never gets made, about a movie that also never got made. Richard will be at The Assembly Hall Theatre to discuss the book described by Stephen Merchant as ‘Nabokov meets Spinal Tap’.
Animal lovers will enjoy the tales of Martin Clunes in his book Meetings with Remarkable Animals. Inspired by his own adoption of Laura the guide-dog, much-loved TV star Martin Clunes delves into the astonishing ways animals have enriched our lives.
Poet Laureate Simon Armitage joins us in Tunbridge Wells to celebrate his latest poetry collection Dwell. A new illustrated poetry collection inspired by the Lost Gardens of Heligan.
Or why not join renowned British actor Rupert Everett to discuss his acclaimed literary venture The American No, made up of seven stories of love and loss, drama and glamour, hope and rejection.
For green thumbs…
- A name that needs no introduction to garden-lovers, local celebrity gardener Sarah Raven will be joining to talk about her latest book. A Year Full of Pots will help you create a wonderful array of colour in your garden year-round.
- For those new to gardening, we recommend grabbing yourself a ticket to Martha Swales’ talk about her debut book Give it a Grow. Dubbed the ultimate beginner’s guide to growing fruit, veg and flowers!
For the eco-conscious…
This year, the Literary Festival plays host to numerous books that tackle sustainability and climate change. Join Matt Winning  at Trinity Theatre for his light-hearted but well-informed discussion of climate change in Hot Mess. With a PhD in Climate Science and a stand-up comedian, it’s one not to miss!
Gaia Vince and Tim Minchall will join to discuss the impact of manufacturing on our environment and the potential for migration as a means of adapting to climate change.
Plus a panel discussion on rewilding and nature writing features James Canton (Renaturing) in conversation with Kate Bradbury (One Garden Against the World).
For alternative Austen…
In the year that marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, the literary festival has a number of Austen-related talks to tuck into. We welcome the popular West End show Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel and Lucy Worsley with her delightful biography Jane Austen at Home.
For an alternative take on Mansfield Park, join Nikki May for her new novel This Motherless Land: a powerful de-colonial retelling of the famous Austen novel and a witty, warm story of female friendship evolving over four decades.
For little readers…
For key stage 1 readers, join the veg-tastic world of Supertato and Evil Pea with co-creator Paul Linnet. The book and TV show follow Supertato, who lives in a supermarket and fights off the mischievous Evil Pea.
Key stage 2 can join TV star and World Book Day writer Stephen Mangan and his talented sister Anita Mangan with their latest book The Fart That Saved the Universe.
For young adults…
Get in, loser, we’re going reading! Lex Croucher’s gift for creating lovable, complex queer characters against the backdrop of regency society shines in this compelling YA novel, the first of her Reputation series.
BookTok sensation Peach Morris joins the Literary Festival line-up to discuss Learning to Fall, a queer awakening novel set to the back drop of a roller derby!
For crime and thrillers…
From the creator of Broadchurch, Death at the White Hart by Chris Chinball is a Dorset-based thriller following one man’s death and the secrets that unravel in a coastal town.
For a deeper dive into crime writing, join Nicci French, a husband-and-wife team who have written a number of thrillers including their latest The Last Days of Kira Mullan.
For non-fiction…
Charlie English talks about a gripping study of the CIA smuggling operation to get banned books behind the iron curtain, with his new book The CIA Book Club.
A must-attend talk for anyone interested in the female experience, Dr Fiona Vera Grey discusses her book Women on Porn. The author has interviewed 100 women about their experiences with pornography, and how it impacts their sex lives, relationships and mental health.
