UEA Live
When: 7 October to 18 November
Where: Book tickets for free here
The newly named literary festival UEA Live (previously the UEA Literary Festival) prides itself on being the longest-established university-based literary festival which hosts inclusive, dynamic and empowering voices. This year, the entire festival is going online for free and it is a truly stellar line-up!
Here are the events that you won’t want to miss out on:
14 October, 7:00 p.m. – Bocas Lit Fest Celebrates Caribbean Women’s Writing
This event celebrates the UEA’s ties with Bocas, a not-for profit year-round writing and literary arts development organisation who run the NGC Bocas Lit Fest based in Trinidad and Tobago. Join professor Alison Donnell in conversation with writers Ayanna Gillian Lloyd, Tessa McWatt and Ingrid Persaud.
21 October, 7:00 p.m. – Diana Evans
Join bestselling author Diana Evans as she discusses her brilliant novels, including the Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlisted novel Ordinary People.
18 November, 7:00 p.m. – Bernardine Evaristo
Booker Prize winning author, Bernardine Evaristo, will join the UEA’s Claire Hynes in discussing the book of the moment, Girl, Woman, Other. Evaristo’s success has continued beyond her Booker Prize win, and 2020 has seen her pick up both the British Book Award’s Author of the Year and Fiction Book of the Year, as well as the Indie Book Award for Fiction.
Berwick Literary Festival
When: 15–18 October
Where: Register for events here
Berwick is celebrating their 7th literary festival online, thanks to the commitment of their volunteers. The festival is completely free and will be hosting a variety of creative writing workshops, discussions with English history authors and life-affirming memoirs. Another highlight includes a conversation with Berwick’s own award-winning author Jessie Greengrass, who was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for fiction in 2018 for her novel Sight. You will gain insight into her new novel, The High House, which is being released in 2021.
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
When: 17–31 October
Where: The full programme is here
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival is one of the most admired storytelling events in the world. This year’s theme, In the Flow, explores Scotland’s coasts and waters through narration. The programme includes online workshops and writing sessions. Their community programme offers families and schools the opportunity to engage in storytelling events. There will be a mix of small-scale outdoor events and online sessions which you can follow through the hashtag #SISFIntheFlow. Many of the events are free; however, some longer workshops ask for a certain fee.
Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival
When: 23–25 October
Where: The full programme is here
Harper’s Bazaar described it as "one of the UK’s best literary festivals," and Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival is maintaining their title by going digital. They will be hosting sixteen free events over three days, bringing you a line-up of people from all walks of life to talk about all things literature. Writers, politicians, historians and fashionistas will come together to discuss and inspire. They will also be streaming an episode of their podcast. You can follow the discussion through their hashtag #RaworthsLitFest and attend the events over on their website.
Ellie Pilcher’s #MarketYourMarketing Workshops
When: 13 and 20 October
Where: Register for both here
After a huge success in September, Ellie comes back this month with two new fantastic workshops. For the first one, she will focus on how to find and nurture a personal side hustle, which could come in very useful in the publishing industry. The following week will welcome precious tips and tricks to master publishing-specific job applications. If you’ve missed the first two workshops, you can find recordings here.
National Creative Writing Industry Conference Events
When: 26–30 October
Where: Virtual conference
Comma Press have announced further details for this year’s National Creative Writing Industry Conference, in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University. Top picks include the free panels "How the Publisher Works With You" and "Meet the Literary Agents," both of which will feature insights from publishing professionals. For budding writers, there will be ticketed workshops and pitching sessions plus a talk on how authors can make the most of their marketing and online presence.
A Live Stream With Nigella Lawson
When: 29 October, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Live stream packages for £15–£26 available here.
To mark the publication day of her new cookbook Cook, Eat, Repeat, Nigella Lawson will be speaking about all things food, ingredients and the rituals of cookery, in an exclusive live stream in association with Waterstones.
Exploring Writing & Publication From the Novelist’s & Editor’s Perspective
When: 21 October, 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Where: Online event
Hosted by Goldsmiths University, this unique event will explore the writing and publication process from both sides. It features Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, author of Harmless Like You and the Costa Award-shortlisted novel Starling Days. She will be in conversation with Francine Toon, Sceptre’s Commissioning Editor, who acquired her first book.