I wanted to do this post at the start of the year but January flew by.  So here is a list of the the literary (and book) festivals that have caught my eye and are coming up this year:

February

Romantic Author and Reader Events (#RARE18) 

• Date: 24 February 2018
• Location:  London
• Tickets:  Fee (£40 to £70)

If you are a fan of Romance fiction this could be the event for you.  You can check the hundreds of authors attending to see if one of your favourites are going.  Then you can meet them and take your books with you for them to sign.  There will be book sellers to.

They have events all over the world so if you miss this one, check out some of the other dates/locations.

London School of Economics Literary Festival

• Date: 20 February 2018 to 25 February 2018
• Location:  London
• Tickets:  No – Free

Run with the Time Literary supplement, this event has a number of activities such as talks, discussions, workshops for writers through to activities for kids.

If you miss the event or can’t attend, they also offer free videos and podcasts from the event.

March

The Aldeburgh Literary Festival

• Date: 1 March 2018 to 4 March 2018
• Location:  Aldeburgh
• Tickets:  Fee:  Various

This festival is made up of events and you buy tickets to participate in events.  Events vary between workshops, speakers and screenings.

If you miss the event, this seaside town is still worth a visit. They have one of the most beautiful traditional bookshops, a lovely beach and chip shops.

DIVA Literary Festival and Awards

• Date:  15 March 2018 to 17 March 2018
• Location: Birmingham
• Tickets:  Register interest

This event promises to deliver a platform for underrepresented women writers such a lesbians.  This is sure to be a positive event that is making a difference to supporting diversity and inclusion.  Supported by DIVA magazine and The Guardian.

Write by the beach 2018

• Date: 17 March 2018
• Location:  Brighton
• Tickets:  Fee (£139)

This event covers talks and workshops and you can book a one-to-one with an agent to pitch your novel.

If you miss the event, you can always attend Brighton’s Beach Hut Academy’s creative writing courses or mentoring provided by experts in the industry.

Eroticon 2018

• Date: 17 March 2018 to 18 March 2018
• Location:  London
• Tickets:  Fee (£60 to £200)

If Erotica is your thing, then there is a convention just for you.  This event is in its 7th year and often sells out.  It has schedule of speakers and events and is a structured event.

This year has a talk on how to blog about sex for the shy writer – aghhh the world of an erotic writer.  One day I may be brave enough to write and share erotic fiction but for now the thought still makes my cheeks turn read (no, not like that!).  I would probably benefit from the ‘confidence’ talk.

Oxford Literary Festival (FT Weekend)

• Date: 17 March 2018 to 25 March 2018
• Location:  Oxford
• Tickets:  Various

You buy tickets for the events you want to attend.  There are a lot of authors attending and giving talks and there are events for children too.  The event is not at one location but across the city so make sure you are able to get from one location to another if you booking multiple events.  Filter the events by the category you are interested in, i.e. Workshops, etc.

April

The London Book Fair 

• Date: 10 April 2018 to 12 April 2018
• Location: London
• Tickets:  Fee (£45 to £100 + VAT)

This event is geared towards those involved in publishing but and has various talks on keeping those in the industry up-to-date with financial, legal and trending themes in the publishing world.  There are plenty of exhibits covering pretty much every type of genre you can think of.

May

The Bath Festival

• Date: 11 May 2018 to 27 May 2018
• Location: Bath
• Tickets:  Fee (Various)

It is their 70th year running!  This 17 day event will bring the streets of Bath alive with music and literature.  Check the ‘What’s On’ page on the website to find events that take your interest.  Each event requires a ticket and the price differs.

Everyone I know who has been to Bath has always returned gushing about how amazing it is.  They are also home to one of the most well known and prestigious writing competitions (Bath Novel Award).

June

Felixstowe Book Festival

• Date: 27 June 2018 to 1 July 2018
• Location: Felixstowe
• Tickets:  TBC

At the time of writing, the tickets are not yet online.  But, from previous years there have been free events as well as events you can pay for a ticket.  The paid for events have not been expensive (under £10).  Events range from exhibitions, speakers, workshops and children’s activities.  Events are split between the library and the Orwell Hotel.

I’ve been a few times to this festival.  There have been some amazing speakers and engaging workshops.

July

UEA Festival of Literature (FLY)

• Date: 9 July 2018 to 13 July 2018
• Location: Norwich
• Tickets:  Free*/Fee £3.50

This is event is for young people only (18 and under – hence the student price).   I had to include it because if I was young, I would go.  This event has a number of speakers, workshops and activities and as you would expect a focus on YA and children’s fiction.

My dream is to one day be invited to be a speaker but if I ever want that to happen I need to stop dreaming and get writing.

Young Adult Literary Convention (YALC)

• Date: 27 July 2018 to 29 July 2018
• Location: London
• Tickets:  Fee (£19 to £55)

This  event is in addition to the London Film and Comic Convention.  The YALC have exhibit stands where you can speak to authors, agents and publisher and buy books.  They have agent one-to-ones, workshops and speakers at the convention and lots of space to sit down and read.  The focus her is on YA Literature.

The tickets include access downstairs to the London Film and Comic Convention.  If you are a fan of Marvel, DC, Anime or anything like that you can pop downstairs to see their exhibits and stalls too.

August

Cheltenham Literature Festival

• Date:  TBC: 5 August 2018 to 14 August 2018 (Last year was 6 October 2017 to 15 October 2017)
• Location: Cheltenham
• Tickets:  TBC (Advanced booking for members)

The information for the site is currently about last years event which was aimed at families and young adult.  I recognised a lot of the names and books in attendance and the event is supported by The Times and The Sunday Times.  I expect it will be very promising again this year.

Edinborough International Book Festival 

• Date:  11 August 2018 to 27 August 2018
• Location: Edinborough
• Tickets:  TBC

At the time of writing, ticket prices weren’t available.  This is a really big event with a lot of things going on simultaneously and something for every taste.  I have never been but would love to go one day.

September

Children’s Bath Literature Festival

• Date:  TBC (last year it was 29 Sept to 8 Oct)
• Location: Bath
• Tickets:  TBC

At the time of writing this years date and prices were yet to be confirmed. I included it because last years line up was full of house hold names (like Julia Donaldson, Jacqueline Wilson, Miranda Hart, etc).  I’m sure this year will be just as promising – this is one to watch!

Many more

There are loads more great festivals around the country and I have only highlighted a small sample.

Please let me know if you are or have been to any of these or have any to recommend.