- 31 May -30 June 2024
- Poetry
Live Poetry Juke Box
Step inside the Live Poetry Jukebox! A selection of delicious and delectable poems about love, life, hope, and fun will be waiting for you, pickled and preserved in jars, and stored in Mueller & Malten's marvellous Wunderkammer. Choose a jar and release its flavours! Poetry in the flesh to see, hear, feel, and most importantly, to savour. Read more
- Theatre
Propaganda: Hits from History
Lakeside Theatre and University of Essex drama students in partnership with Index on Censorship have created a short immersive performance, Propaganda: Hits from History, tracing the political rhetoric that makes up propaganda. Read more
- Discussion
Festival Peace Panel: Picking Apart Propaganda
Mark your card for our second Festival Peace Panel chaired by Rachael Jolley, award-winning editor of global magazine Index on Censorship, with panellists Jamie Bartlett, David Aaronvitch and Xinran. Read more
- Music
Gogol’s Silent Disco
Award-winning Estonian author and international festival writer-in-residence, Paavo Matsin invites you to join him in his fantastical world of forbidden songs behind hushed doors: Gogol's Silent Disco. Gherkins will be served on arrival. Prepare to dance. Read more
- Music
Attempted Peace
A celebration of peace through writings from Adrian’s forty year career in song and verse, including material from his end of the world show from the 80s, a song sung at Greenham Women’s Peace Camp, and other lyrical and musical protest matter! Read more
- Non-fiction
Over and Out: Henry Blofeld
Henry Blofeld is a cricket broadcasting legend, his voice the sound of summer to thousands of cricket lovers. His autobiography is packed with entertaining stories as he relives his favourite moments and shares behind the scenes anecdotes. Read more
- Non-fiction
- SOLD OUT!
Dorothy L Sayers Lecture: Tony Medawar
The Golden Age is experiencing a resurgence with many great titles and some not-so-great ones back in print. Tony Medawar, writer and fan, takes us on an entertaining sight-seeing tour of the genre, encompassing giants like Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers. Read more
- Discussion
- SOLD OUT!
Witches, WAGs and Wide Boys
A fascinating, interactive day of discussion examines the role of place, gender and class in the Essex stereotype and what it is to 'be' Essex. The event brings together various people academics and authors, including Essex Book Festival writer-in-residence Syd Moore and Festival Director Ros Green. Read more
- CANCELLED
- Fiction
Behind Her Eyes: Sarah Pinborough
*** THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED DUE TO ILL HEALTH - NEW DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON *** Already one of the most talked about thrillers of 2017, Behind Her Eyes masterfully walks the tightrope between psychological and supernatural thriller. Read more
- Theatre
Guesthouse
A new play by Essex based playwright Nicola Werenowska. Set in Clacton-on-Sea, it explores the lives of three generations of women. What's it like when the town you were proud to grow up in becomes impoverished? What does it take to keep going? And what does it take to face the truth? Read more
- Fiction
Kitty Peck and the Daughter of Sorrow: Kate Griffin
The latest in Kate Griffin's popular Kitty Peck series. Summer 1881: the streets of Limehouse are thick with opium... and menace. At eighteen Kitty has inherited Paradise, a sprawling criminal empire on the banks of the Thames, and soon realises that the past casts a long and treacherous shadow. Read more
- Non-fiction
- SOLD OUT!
What’s Next? Jim Al-Khalili
Professor Jim Al-Khalili OBE is a physicist, author and broadcaster, and host of Radio 4’s The Life Scientific. In What’s Next? he brings together the writings of eighteen top scientists and experts who explore what’s in store for the human race. Read more
- Fiction
- SOLD OUT!
The Keeper of Lost Things: Ruth Hogan
Aging author Anthony Peardew has spent his life collecting misplaced items. When he dies his assistant Laura is left to fulfill his final wish of reuniting the objects with their rightful owners. An enchanting debut novel from self-confessed ‘magpie’ Ruth Hogan about loss, second chances and endless possibilities. Read more
- Theatre
- Young Essex
The Wind in the Willows
Meet all your favourite characters including loyal Mole, faithful Ratty and wise old Badger as they do their best to keep the mischievous Mr Toad out of trouble. Will they be able to stop the Wicked Weasels from taking over Toad Hall? Read more
- Young Essex
It’s A Wrap: Festival Finale
Come and join in the fun at our It’s A Wrap! Festival Finale in Jaywick Martello Tower, one of county’s most intriguing and iconic heritage buildings on the Essex Coast, where there'll be activities and workshops for all ages. Read more
- Art
- Young Essex
Peace Bunting Print Workshop
Come along for a sun printing workshop on fabric, to make bunting with a message of peace using plant material, letters and acetates, with artist Angenita Hardy-Teekens. You’ll learn all about the cyanotype method, an early Victorian way of making shadows with objects using the suns UV light. Read more
- For Writers
Wild Writing Workshop: Beachcombing for Words
A workshop inspired by the beach, involving some beachcombing, with a return to the Tower for some writing exercises and work on creative writing with Essex-based writers Judith Wolton and Wendy Constance. Read more
- Art
- Young Essex
Sumi Ink Club
Everyone is invited to come along and create a community mural that will evole and grow throughout the afternoon on the theme of Pease, Place and Community. Bring yourselves, bring your friends, bring your grandparents – come and draw with us! Read more
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
Our Natural World Storytelling hour
From Ants, Bees and Cranes to Whales, Yellow butterflies and Zebras, this storytelling hour involves not only listening to stories, but also making up stories about creatures great and small in our natural world. Led by award-winning shoildren’s author Wendy Constance. Read more
- Music
Bof! Music, Dance and Soup
What better way to finish this year’s Essex Book Festival than to dance the night away in Jaywick Martello Tower with the fabulous Essex-based traditional French and Breton four-piece band Bof! who have serenaded folk clubs and festivals across England and France. Read more
- Young Essex
Oh, The Places We’ll Go!
Join us for an afternoon of storytelling and family activities with a theme of journeys, adventures and places around the world, both real and imagined. Taking place at The Transition (near the station) and at Foyles (Bond Street) Read more
- Networking
- ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT!
Stand Up For Diversity
Join us for an evening of mini-talks, delicious curry and live music, as we continue with our series of events that puts a spotlight on diversity, with short soap-box shout-outs on why DIVERSITY MATTERS. Read more
- For Writers
- Young Essex
Pop-Up Essex Writers House
For Essex Book Festival, Metal is once again transforming their base at Chalkwell Hall in Southend into a Pop Up Essex Writers House for the whole of March, hosting literary events and activities for all to enjoy. Read more
- Fiction
Sarah Perry, Melmoth
We are delighted to launch this year’s festival with Festival Patron Sarah Perry, who will talk about her new novel Melmoth, hailed as a masterpiece of moral complexity, asking profound questions about mercy, redemption, and how to make the best of our conflicted world. Read more
- Art
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
Tides and Tales: Days Like These
Join us for a day of water and seaside themed family fun at Jaywick Martello Tower, when artists Close and Remote launch their new exhibition Days Like These: the world’s very first 360o Watercolour Virtual Reality Tour of Jaywick Sands. Read more
- ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT!
Harwich History Tour
Uncover historical highlights, hidden literary gems, and stories of Harwich past with David Whittle from The Harwich Society. Starting at the Redoubt, David will lead you on a walking tour pointing out places of interest, local stories and iconic buildings along the way. Read more
- Discussion
Crossing Borders Continental Breakfast
Start the day with coffee and croissants and a lively discussion led by Festival Director Ros Green, focusing on the power of words to cross borders and build new friendships. Participants include writers and storytellers from Essex and beyond. Read more
- Workshop
- Young Essex
SHIP AHOY! Nautical Flags and Knots
Join maritime author and illustrator Claudia Myatt and discover the fascinating world of nautical flags and knots. You'll be using the colourful nautical flag code to create a nameplate for your bedroom door. Suitable for ages 8+ Read more
- Workshop
- Young Essex
The BIG Write: Journeys
Love telling tales and making up stories? Ever written a poem, short story or a song? Using games and creative prompts, find exciting new ways to kick start your writing whether you are 8 or 80. Suitable for ages 4+ Read more
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Tides and Tales
Come along for this creative writing workshop inspired by flotsam and jetsam with children’s author and artist Wendy Constance. As part of our nautical theme, Wendy will help you use your imaginations to unearth the secrets of the deep. Suitable for ages 7-11 year olds. Read more
- Fiction
- Young Essex
AL Kennedy
Join one of Britain's most gifted and celebrated award-winning writers, as A L Kennedy tells us the tale of The Little Snake, a magical and deeply moving fable about the journey we all take through life, about love and family, about war and resilience, about how we live in this world. Read more
- Music
- Poetry
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
All Aboard the Boat that Rocked
Calling all on board the LV18 in Harwich Quay for a pirate radio revival, nautical tales, and shanty songs on deck. Below deck, the intimate and magical Live Poetry Jukebox will be waiting for you. Suitable for all ages. Read more
- Young Essex
The Mothership Project Launch
The Festival is thrilled to be launching The Mothership Project at The Redoubt. A partnership project with UK/Chinese charity The Mother's Bridge of Love: Culture for Children, school children in Essex and China will be sending messages of friendship to each other via drawings, postcards and origami boats. Read more
- Theatre
- Young Essex
Malorie Blackman‘s Noughts and Crosses
Sephy and Callum are in love. It is forbidden: Sephy is a Cross and Callum is a Nought. Between Noughts and Crosses there are racial and social divides. This gripping Romeo and Juliet story is a captivating drama of love, revolution and what it means to grow up in a divided world. Recommended for 11+yrs. Read more
- Fiction
An Evening with Sophie Hannah
Sophie Hannah shares her lifelong love of Agatha Christie and how she came to be chosen to write the new Hercule Poirot novels. She reveals insights into her new Poirot novel The Mystery of Three Quarters, and will also share insights into her new self-help book How to Hold a Grudge. Read more
- Fiction
Amer Anwar
A Sikh girl on the run. A Muslim ex-con who has to find her. A whole heap of trouble. After being released from prison, Zaq Khan is lucky to land a dead-end job at a builders' yard. All he wants to do is keep his head down and put the past behind him. But when Zaq is forced to search for his boss's runaway daughter, he quickly finds himself caught up in a deadly web of deception, murder and revenge.… Read more
- Non-fiction
Nathen Amin
The Wars of the Roses were a tumultuous period in English history, with family fighting family for the greatest prize in the kingdom – the throne of England. The story of the Beauforts, with their rise, fall and rise again, is the story of England during the period, a dramatic century of war, intrigue and scandal. Read more
- Young Essex
Epping at the Movies
For Essex Book Festival, Epping at the Movies will screen three fantastic adaptations: BlacKkKlansman, Spike Lee’s masterful retelling of Ron Stallworth’s memoir; Big Bad Fox and Other Tales, a sublime animation for young audiences adapted from Benjamin Renner’s comic books; and The Big Sleep, the ultimate Raymond Chandler. Community Cinema at its best! Read more
Banned Books
Some of the most controversial books in history are now recognised as classics. Banned Books delves into the University of Essex’s Archives to reveal a fascinating collection of banned books, pamphlets and texts, dating back hundreds of years. Read more
- Discussion
The Burning Question
Trevor Phillips, writer, broadcaster, and current chairman of Index on Censorship, will discuss the impact of historic and contemporary censorship across art, history and literature with Professor Shohini Chaudhuri from the University of Essex. Read more
- Discussion
The Play’s The Thing
To mark the 50th anniversary of the end of an era, when all plays had to be signed off by the British Lord Chamberlin before performance, the panel discusses why we should worry about censorship, and how words and ideas are restricted today. Read more
- For Writers
- Networking
- Workshop
Essex Authors and You
A great opportunity for book lovers, local authors or aspiring writers of all ages: Drop in to the Writers’ Slams, hear a variety of authors read from their books, meet and talk to local authors and publishers; pick up writing tips and inspiration. Read more
- Art
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
Oh, The Places We’ll Go!
Come and explore the theme of journeys, adventures and places around the world and in our imaginations. Drop-in for our Pop Up Storytelling Armchair, hear traditional tales from Africa with Djembe drumming, try your hand at Chinese calligraphy, and wrap your tongue around different languages with bilingual storytelling. Suitable for ages 4+ Read more
- Fiction
Elizabeth Haynes
From the award-winning and best-selling author of Into the Darkest Corner comes a delicious Victorian crime novel based on a true story that shocked and fascinated the nation. Brimming with lust, mistrust and guilt, this is a masterclass of suspense from one of our greatest crime writers. Read more
- Non-fiction
- ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT!
Robin Ince
Award-winning presenter and comic Robin Ince examines the world through the eyes of the stand-up, exploring some of life’s biggest questions. Birth, death, social anxiety, creativity and other meaty subjects are playfully picked apart... Read more
- Fiction
Apple and Knife
Intam Paramaditha is an Indonesian writer who re-writes traditional Indonesian folk tales through a feminist horror lens. Syd Moore's mystery thrillers are inspired by the myths of Essex. The authors discuss what it means to re-write old stories and myths with a contemporary, feminist slant. Read more
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Creative Crime Writing Workshop
Come along to create a baddy (or two), a detective and a simple crime plot with Rosie Sandler, co-author of the Agatha Oddly detective series. Work as a group, pooling ideas and having fun along the way. Suitable for ages 9-13. Read more
- Art
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Weaving with Words
Join local writer and artist Wendy Constance for a fun family drop-in session where you choose words which best describe Paycocke’s House and Garden. Compose a list, a sentence or poem - then write it on fabric which we will all weave together to create a banner to celebrate this special place. Suitable for ages 4+ Read more
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
Rosie Sandler – Agatha Oddly
Agatha Oddly has been a detective for as long as she can remember – she’s just been waiting for her first big case. And nothing gets bigger than saving the City of London from strange goings-on. With a secret key that gives her access to a whole hidden side of London, Agatha is perfectly poised to solve any mystery. Read more
- Fiction
Jessica Fellowes
From the pen of Jessica Fellowes, who authored five official companion books to Downton Abbey and the highly acclaimed The Mitford Murders, comes Bright Young Dead, a Golden Age-style crime novel based on a real crime of the 1920s. Read more
- For Writers
- Workshop
An Introduction to Crime Writing
Crime novelist Laura Shepherd-Robinson guides participants through writing the perfect crime novel, while providing invaluable advice on how to get published. An absolute must for all aspiring crime writers. Read more
- Fiction
Stella Duffy
Inspector Roderick Alleyn is back in this unique crime novel, started by Ngaio Marsh during the Second World War and now completed by Stella Duffy. Stella Duffy skilfully picks up where March left off, in a way that has delighted readers and critics alike. Shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger Award 2018. Read more
- Fiction
Laura Shepherd-Robinson
Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s historical crime debut is a vivid, thrilling novel set in 18th century Deptford, against the backdrop of the brutal British slave trade, and follows a young abolitionist killed in the pursuit of a better future. Read more
- Art
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Create a Secret Treasure Island
Join artists Lola Swain and Sally Chinea to make your very own handmade book, which, when unfolded, reveals a secret island with a treasure map. Within the pages create your own imaginary creatures that live on and around the island. Read more
- Fiction
Bridget Collins
Set in 19th century Britain with one crucial difference: Books are not for learning or pleasure, but contain our worst memories - our grief, trauma and fear. Bridget Collins’ debut novel is an exploration of mental illness, memory loss, and a shamelessly romantic love story. Read more
- Non-fiction
Sue Nelson
In 1961, Wally Funk was among the Mercury 13, the first group of American pilots to pass the Woman in Space programme. None of the women ever went to space. In this offbeat odyssey, journalist and fellow space buff Sue Nelson travels with Wally as she races to make her own giant leap. Read more
Maggi Hambling: A Suffolk Eye
Join internationally acclaimed Suffolk artist Maggi Hambling for a very special event on Father’s Day as she discusses the visionary paintings of her late father and fellow Suffolk artist Harry Hambling, which form the basis of her latest book: A Suffolk Eye Read more
- Fiction
Launch Event: How the Dead Speak
Val McDermid, Queen of Crime and number one bestseller, joins us for the launch of Essex Book Festival. Perhaps best known for her Wire in the Blood series, Val will talk about her latest heart-pounding thriller in the series How the Dead Speak. Read more
Wet Sounds
Get ready for a truly unique experience. Wet Sounds will be transforming Riverside swimming pool with soundscapes both above the surface and underwater, to produce an immersive audio-visual performance which promises to be bizarre, magical and astonishing. Read more