Hastings Book Festival

27/04/2026

SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

We are inviting submissions in these categories:

Short Stories
Poetry
Creative Non-Fiction

Prizes include cash awards of up to £250, writers’ retreats.

Closing date: 31st August 2026
Open to writers worldwide.

Find full details on our website
www.hastingsbookfest.org

26/04/2026

All will be revealed tomorrow…

24/04/2026

Watch this space...

05/03/2026

Happy World Book Day. We are having a bit of a do at Barnaby's Lounge this evening and would love to see some of you there as we announce plans for this year's Festival. Happy reading- and writing- and have a great day.

26/02/2026

One week to go for a big night in books, reading and writing here in Hastings as we announce key dates and information on the 2026 Hastings Book Festival. We extend a warm welcome to all our fellow readers, writers, poets, illustrators snd book lovers on World Book Day. Please join us.

22/02/2026

Coming soon.... Henry and Tim are firm friends of the Hastings Book Festival who will be performing locally at the Hastings Library in just a few weeks time. Make a note of the date and be there for an enrapturing evening of wit, warmth and humanity.

Hastings Library

Thursday 2 April

7 to 8pm

doors open 6.30 for a 7pm start

Join proper poets and friends of the library, Henry Normal and Tim Barlow.

Tim Barlow’s 'The Manufactured Thrill’ and Henry Normal’s 'a quiet promise' are both published by Flapjack Press.

Last year Henry and Tim were enthusiastically received by our customers:

“Interesting, entertaining, funny and free what more can you ask for?”

“It was really funny and moving!”

This is another chance to catch Henry and Tim in full flight!

Henry Normal Tim Barlow Writes

18/02/2026

have been hosting a brilliant series of author events over recent months. Next up on 26 February is Alex Preston, author of the critically acclaimed Winchelsea, who'll be talking about his new book, A Stranger in Corfu. It promises to be an interesting evening.

16/02/2026

Last year's World Book Day event was such a resounding success that the Hastings Book Festival Fringe and ourselves have decided to run it again. We'll be announcing details of this year's exciting Book Festival on the night. So if you love books, reading, writing, words and performance please come along and join us at on March 5th, find out what's happening later this year and make some new friends. We guarantee you a warm welcome.

16/02/2026

Last year's World Book Day event was such a success we've decided to run it again. And we'll be announcing exciting details of this year's Book Festival on the night, so if you love books, reading, writing, words and performance come along, find out more about what's happening later in the year and make some new friends. We guarantee you a warm welcome.

05/02/2026

Our brilliant Hastings Book Festival patron will be performing with Attila the Stockbroker and Janine Booth as part of a free charity gig at the Hot Tap theatre at on February 14. Join them and share a love of words at this Valentines Day treat.