Brighton Book Festival

05/06/2026

If it ain’t broke then don’t try to fix it!

Come and join AFLO. the poet with special guest Keith Jarrett for a two hour workshop focused on performance and confidence. Throughout the session you will get the opportunity to play, enjoy and explore hopefully giving you some tools to add to your toolbox.

Poetry Workshop Thursday June 18, 4pm - 6pm If it ain’t broke then don’t try to fix it! Come and join AFLO. the poet with special guest Keith Jarrett for a two hour workshop focused on performance and confidence. Throughout the session you will get the opportunity to play, enjoy and explore hope...

03/06/2026

What happens between the page and the screen? Why does a beloved character feel different in a television adaptation — and why do some changes spark outrage while others create entirely new fans?

Expect a lively conversation from , and about the art, compromise, and reinvention behind adapting books for television. Whether you’re a devoted reader, a binge-watcher, or someone who loves debating “the book was better,” this event promises plenty of passionate discussion about what gets lost, what gets gained, and why stories evolve when they move from page to screen.

Binge the Book Saturday 20th June 2026 3:30pm This event is included in our All Day Saturday Pass. To attend our Saturday events please purchase the pass. For £25, you can attend every event promoted on Saturday the 20th of June. What happens between the page and the screen? Why does a beloved char...

31/05/2026

Come and listen to authors tell their stories of home and how they write to overcome the grief of potentially losing it ...

“Home is where I feel safe.” - Frances Mensah Williams, Brighton Book Festival 2023

But what happens when that is not your story.

Come and listen to authors tell their stories of home and how they write to overcome the grief of losing "home". Hosted by Colin Grant author of six books and the Director of WritersMosaic, joined by Amy Abdelnoor, whose debut novel Ever Land is inspired by her experiences of living in the West Bank and in Lebanon refugee camps and Fatin Abbas' whose novel Ghost Season connects five characters caught in the crosshairs of the conflict on the Sudanese border.

29/05/2026

Join us for a lively, welcoming creative writing taster workshop where you can stretch your storytelling muscles, connect with fellow writers, and discover the organisations working to make publishing more inclusive, dynamic, and representative.

Led by acclaimed poet Sea Sharp, this inspiring session will take place at Brighthelm Church and Community Centre on Thursday 18 June 2026, 3.30-5pm.

Expect an energising, life-affirming space to explore your voice and creativity.

This workshop is open to all levels—whether you’re just starting out or already writing regularly. Bring yourself and a few ideas if you have them, but don’t worry if you don’t: we’ll have plenty of prompts and exercises to get you going. All you really need is a curiosity for stories.

If you are Black, a person of colour, q***r, disabled, neurodivergent, working class, or have lived experience of mental health challenges, you may have noticed how rarely your stories are reflected on high street shelves. This workshop is about changing that—by writing the stories we want, need, and deserve to read.

After the session, meet local writing organisations including Writing Our Legacy, Creative Future, and New Writing South. They’ll be sharing opportunities to support your creative journey, from workshops and festivals to prizes and ongoing development.

We look forward to seeing you there!

28/05/2026

Don't forget your tickets for an event your TBR list won't regret!

As part of our Big Read ending festivities, let's see what's next with thousands of books being published in the second half of 2026, what are the titles that we should all be looking out for? And why? Come and join the conversation and let's hear what is exciting from our favourite book influencers and industry experts.

Join Isabella Silvers multi-award-winning journalist, and bookstagrammer and blogger Nikki, The Bookish Mindset.

Bring along your favourite titles too to share with us all!

24/05/2026

We're so excited to be joined by Karen Dobres Sangeeta Pillai and Nicola Williams for our Women In Power event this year Brighton Book Festival

Make sure you get your tickets!

Women in Power Saturday 20th June 2026 This event is included in our All Day Saturday Pass. To attend our Saturday events please purchase the pass. For £25, you can attend every event promoted on Saturday the 20th of June. The glass ceiling is still a hindrance to women in every industry. And yet w...

22/05/2026

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel our event with Margaret Busby and Azieb Pool. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will be issuing refunds to everyone who bought a ticket.

Feel free to check out our other upcoming events on brightonbookfestival.co.uk

19/05/2026

For the first time ever, London's Legendary performance poetry night, JAWDANCE, will come to Brighton for a special night of performance poetry as part of the festival. JAWDANCE fuses the freshest voices with stellar talent for a night that showcases global voices, creating memorable "you had to be there" magic.

As part of Apples and Snakes ‘Poets in your City’, eleven local poets will take to the stage, sharing their poems. Headlined by Keith Jarrett, hosted by AFLO. the poet and featuring Kareem Parkins Brown along with emerging poets that have been working with AFLO. the poet as part of our Poet In Your City Programme.
Expect live DJ and more!

For the first time ever, London's Legendary performance poetry night, JAWDANCE, will come to Brighton for a special night of performance poetry as part of the festival. JAWDANCE fuses the freshest voices with stellar talent for a night that showcases global voices, creating memorable "you had to be....

08/05/2026

The perfect Mother's Day gift ...

The glass ceiling is still a hindrance to women in every industry. And yet women are breaking through. What does it take to be a woman in a powerful position? How does the sisterhood hinder or assist the rise to power, and what is the responsibility of women when they get there?

Join this roundtable featuring a powerhouse of women authors, who are taking charge in a world as opposed to being taken prisoner under the patriarchy.

Women in Power Saturday 20th June 2026 This event is included in our All Day Saturday Pass. To attend our Saturday events please purchase the pass. For £25, you can attend every event promoted on Saturday the 20th of June. The glass ceiling is still a hindrance to women in every industry. And yet w...

07/05/2026

Come and join us for The Big Read with debut author Eden McKenzie-Goddard doing a live reading of his book Smallie, hosted by poet Roy McFarlane.

This event is a special one, because for just a £3 deposit, you can come along to Jubilee Square, pick up your FREE hardback copy of Smallie, and then you will receive your £3 refunded (this is on the basis that you come and collect your copy).
Sit down with us, and listen to Eden and Roy have an inspiring conversation about Smallie with your very own copy!

D.E.A.R Drop Everything And Read Sunday 21st June 11:30 - 13:00 As part of our The Big Read ending festivities, come and join us for The Big Read with debut author Eden McKenzie-Goddard doing a live reading of his book Smallie hosted by poet Roy McFarlane. This event is a special one, because for ju...