The Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival will return to the town after a successful debut in 2022. Coming to Tunbridge Wells Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th May, the festival will have a diverse range of events at the Assembly Hall Theatre, the Amelia Scott, Royal Victoria Place, The Forum and One Warwick Park. Last year’s inaugural festival was a resounding success, with attendance figures of over 1,600 visitors across its four day run, and this year, with the backing of Arts Council England including an offer of over a thousand free tickets for children, as well as the generous support of Berry & Lamberts Solicitors and RBC Brewin Dolphin, the festival aims to be even bigger and better than before! Brand new events for this year will include the first ever TW Comicon and the TWLF Local Writer’s Fair.

Expect an exemplary cast of authors and illustrators, ranging from internationally acclaimed industry veterans to the local, the young and the new, whose wonderfully diverse work within the literary sphere explores a true variety of subject matters, from Biography, Non-Fiction and Political contributions to a smorgasbord of Sci-Fi, Crime, Drama, Romantic Comedy, and even Comics, Graphic Novels and Manga!

You can expect to see a leading cast of authors and illustrators, ranging from internationally acclaimed industry veterans such as Sir Michael Parkinson (My Sporting Life) and Sheila Hancock (Old Rage), to popular writers such as Dorothy Koomson (The Ice Cream Girls, My Other Husband), Michael Rosen (Better Things), Ghost Stories writers’ Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman (The Warlock Effect), comedian and author Bec Hill (The Slime) non-fiction crime including Her Honour Wendy Joseph (Unlawful Killings: Life, love, murder: Trials at the Old Bailey), contemporary non-fiction from Carrie and David Grant (A Very Modern Family: Stories and guidance to nurture your relationships) and Gyles Brandreth (Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait) and free childrens’ fiction events including Manjeet Mann (The Crossing) and Vashti Hardy (Brightstorm series). Plus many more to be announced!

Our first ever TW Comicon will feature comic books, novels and films, manga, workshops with comic creators and artists, collectables and comics to purchase, and retro-gaming opportunities. Local talent will also be celebrated at the very first TWLF Local Writers’ Fair.

Nicky Carter, Head of Culture at The Amelia Scott, said “following last year’s successful debut event, we’re thrilled to be hosting another Literary Festival here in Tunbridge Wells. In addition to showcasing another fantastic line-up of talented writers and storytellers this year will also have a Local Writers’ Fair and, new to Tunbridge Wells, a Comicon event featuring stalls and workshops covering everything from Manga to superheroes!”

Stay tuned for more details at theamelia.co.uk/whats-on

For further information, all assets and interview opportunities, please contact the Marketing Team on 01892 554089 or will.cross@tunbridgewells.gov.uk