The festival, which first launched in 2018, takes place this year from September 10 to 20, with 40 events and more than 80 speakers and performers at venues across the town.
Its aims are to advance education by promoting and providing affordable opportunities for the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of literature and the arts as well as delivering a programme of activities to encourage local writers to develop their craft.
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.
Best selling author Jake Arnott will be talking about his latest book Netherwood, which is set in Hastings and inspired by Aleister Crowley’s time in the town.
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.
Naomi Wood will perform her amazing one-woman show Monster, and a great line-up of poets will be taking to the stages, including Luke Kennard, Henry Normal, Salena Godden, Andy Riley, John Osborne, James Domestic and others.
The Book Fair also returns to the Old Observer Building on September 12. It offers a great opportunity to meet many authors, artists, poets and publishers from the local creative community and further afield. Entry is free.
There are workshops on topics such as how to get published, modern hauntings and world building. The Big Book Festival Literary Quiz takes place at French’s in Robertson Street on Thursday, September 17.
Visit: www.hastingsbookfest.org/
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Feral Writers Crawl Photo: supplied