States of Independence

26/03/2026

Still time to book! Come an join us on Saturday!

19/03/2026

It's countdown to States 2026 - C'mon book buyers; get yourself to De Montfort University, Leicester for a great free day out! Book yourself a place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/states-of-independence-festival-2026-tickets-1983949871472?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/03/2026

Join us on 28th March 10-4 for our 'Back to the Bookstalls' event. We’re excited to announce States 2026 ‘Back to the Bookstalls; a day of independent publications, thought and creativity. Sign up so we know you’re coming! Join us for a keynote from Leicester legend Carol Leeming MBE DUniv FRSA; poet, playwright, director, curator, musician, composer, digital/visual artist. Plus, an Open Mic poetry reading, literary agent 1-to-1s, Children’s activities, a café; and bookstalls galore! The Agent slots require an application, details on our website here:

https://leicestercentreforcreativewriting.our.dmu.ac.uk/states-of-independence/

Let’s buy the books that Waterstones don’t stock!

23/12/2025

States is coming … 28th March 2026
Hello writers and publishers,

We are very excited to announce that the annual States of Independence publishing festival will take place on Saturday 28th March 2026, at De Montfort University.

Our theme is ‘back to the bookstalls!’ to re-ground the festival in support for the magnificence of independent publishers ignored by the wider industry; to celebrate the creative energies of the region and beyond.

We hope you’ll join us in our new venue the Hugh Aston Atrium. Stall bookings will open on Jan 16th; and early booking is advised.
We wish you a wonderfully joyous festive season; and look forward to more involvement with you in the New Year,

Your States of Indie Team

Simon, Jo and Matt
e:[email protected]

21/03/2025

LAST CHANCE!

This year's States of Independence Festival takes place TOMORROW!

It's a free book festival that really does have something for everyone. Bring your little readers and writers for a fun filled book trail around the Hugh Aston building with a prize at the end, or get creative with some book themed arts and crafts! Or for our older attendees, come along to make a Victorian puzzle purse!

Register today for free: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/states-of-independence-2025-tickets-1261387567169?aff=oddtdtcreator

21/03/2025

*Programme Highlight*

Learn about the revitalisation of Leicester’s folklore through the Tell Tall Tales project, a collaborative project between researchers, writers and illustrators! .

Debbie Longely-Brown, Sean Dudley and guests will share exciting stories of how this community heritage project led to the graphic novel celebrating some of Leicester’s history!

Grab your free ticket:

States of Independence is an annual book festival in a day

20/03/2025

Join poet and scholar Gregory Woods as he talks about, and gives readings of, gay Modernist poets from Europe and Latin America, as well as introducing his chapbook of translations, They Exchange Glances. In addition, he’ll be talking on topics such as desire, censorship, taboo and indie publishing’s role in representing marginalised q***r voices.

Don't miss Gregory's talk at 2pm in room 1.50 Hugh Aston

Save your spot: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/states-of-independence-2025-tickets-1261387567169?aff=oddtdtcreator

20/03/2025

Two more sleeps until this year's festival...

*Programme Highlight*

Meet our Keynote: Anthony Joseph!

Anthony is an award-winning poet, novelist, academic and musician.
Anthony will be in conversation with Carol Leeming at this year's festival, speaking about his writing career, the role the small presses have played and how things have changed for Black writers.

Join us for discussion and readings at 1pm in Hugh Aston.

Book your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/states-of-independence-2025-tickets-1261387567169?aff=oddtdtcreator

19/03/2025

*Programme Highlight*

Historical novelist Clare Harvey and biofiction scholar Bethany Layne-Hodgkin will be having an interesting discussion on the troubled border between ‘fact’ and ‘fiction’. Who owns ‘life stories’; and what are the ethics of fictionalising real lives?

If biofiction is something you’ve been interested in and wanted to learn more, or if it’s the first time even hearing of such a genre and your intrigue is piqued, be sure to come down to Hugh Aston at 3pm in room 1.49 to catch the talk!

Reserve your seat: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/states-of-independence-2025-tickets-1261387567169?aff=oddtdtcreator

19/03/2025

It's nearly time for this year's festival...

*Programme highlight*

Join Pawlet Brookes, the CEO and Artistic Director of Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage to find out more about the literary influences behind the exhibition ‘100 Black Women Who Have Made A Mark’, featuring 100 portraits of Black British women.

Book your free ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/states-of-independence-2025-tickets-1261387567169?aff=oddtdtcreator

12/03/2025

Register for this year's States of Independence Festival, our annual book festival in a day.

DMU's Leicester Centre for Creative Writing is excited to announce a day of independent books, thought and creativity - with a keynote from award-winning poet, novelist and musician Anthony Joseph.

Come and enjoy panel discussions and talks on fiction and world-building, Leicester folklore, the ethics of biofiction, writing the uncanny, gay modernism, science and screenwriting, craft activities for kids, and an open mic poetry reading. Plus literary agent 1-to-1s, and bookstalls galore!

Join us for an hour or the whole day at States of Independence 2025, a unique opportunity to meet independent presses from across the region and beyond. Attend lots of events - you will be spoiled for choice - or just one, or simply come along and browse the stalls to see what the independent sector has to offer.

Programme highlights include:
- an afternoon keynote speech by Anthony Joseph, Winner of the TS Eliot Prize for Poetry 2022
- literary agent one-to-ones with Oli Munson from AM Heath
- a book fair featuring more than 20 indie presses and authors
- panel discussions on the Leicester folklore, the ethics of biofiction and gay modernism
- writing workshops on world-building with Rod Duncan and writing the uncanny with Giselle Leeb

Register for your free ticket via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/states-of-independence-2025-tickets-1261387567169?aff=oddtdtcreator