26 upcoming literature events
Faber book launch & quiz
Thu, 11 Jun 2026
The Garden Cinema
Join the Faber book launch & quiz at The Garden Cinema in London, where fresh literary energy meets playful quizzes, an author Q&A, and a candlelit, intimate screening room that makes every page pop.
Richard Ayoade: Afterthoughts
Sat, 20 Jun 2026 at 20:30
Hackney Empire
Richard Ayoade shares insights from his latest book, Afterthoughts, in an intimate evening at Hackney Empire. A blend of witty storytelling and literary discussion from a BAFTA-winning actor and director, offering fans an engaging, thought-provoking experience in London.
Mini Architects
Sun, 21 Jun 2026 at 11:00
Dulwich Picture Gallery
At Dulwich Picture Gallery, author Joséphine Séblon and illustrator Robert Sae-Heng bring Mini Architects to life with a live reading and illustrations workshop for kids. Priced at £9 per child, this family-friendly event invites young readers to explore architecture-inspired stories in a museum setting.
Mythica: The Women Behind the Iliad and the Odyssey
Thu, 16 Jul 2026
The National Gallery
Join a gallery-based book club to explore Mythica: The Women behind the Iliad and the Odyssey. In-conversation with scholars, this discussion examines the roles of women in ancient myth and how their stories influence epic literature, set within the National Gallery.
Queer Book Club
Sat, 11 Jul 2026 at 16:00
London LGBTQ+ Community Centre
Monthly queer book club at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre, exploring a different queer-authored title each session. Join a lively discussion, meet new people, and enjoy a non-alcoholic drink after the chat. Upcoming reads include Queer Palestine and the Empire of Critique and Queer Footprints.
Genderqueer Buddhist Book Club
Sat, 18 Jul 2026 at 14:00
London LGBTQ+ Community Centre
Monthly meetup at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre to discuss Buddhist texts from diverse traditions through the lenses of queerness, gender, race, and climate justice. This session centers selected extracts and welcomes practicing Buddhists and anyone curious to explore Buddhist study in an inclusive setting.
An Evening with Bernardine Evaristo & Friends
Thu, 17 Sept 2026 at 20:15
Cadogan Hall
Join Bernardine Evaristo for an intimate evening of readings and conversation with friends at Cadogan Hall, part of Chelsea Arts Festival 2026. Expect insightful literary dialogue, engaging performances, and a refined London venue.
Diaries of Note: Live on Stage
Sun, 20 Sept 2026 at 16:30
Cadogan Hall
Diaries of Note: Live on Stage brings Shaun Usher's celebrated diary and letter archive to Cadogan Hall for a literary evening as part of Chelsea Arts Festival 2026. Expect intimate readings, witty insights, and a guided discussion in an elegant, intimate venue amid London’s arts scene.
Kae Tempest: Having Spent Life Seeking
Fri, 25 Sept 2026 at 20:30
Roundhouse
Renowned poet-rapper Kae Tempest brings Having Spent Life Seeking to Roundhouse for a live, word-driven performance. Expect intimate storytelling, sharp social commentary, and a blend of poetry and music in London’s iconic arts venue.
Roundhouse Poetry Slam Final
Fri, 25 Sept 2026 at 20:30
Roundhouse
Experience the Roundhouse Poetry Slam Final, a high-energy live literary showdown at the iconic Roundhouse in London. Top spoken-word poets battle it out with vivid verse, rhythm, and crowd energy in a night of craft, risk, and unforgettable performances.
Matt Haig: The Midnight World
Sun, 18 Oct 2026 at 17:30
Wimbledon BookFest
Join author Matt Haig at Wimbledon BookFest 2026 for a compelling author-talk on The Midnight World. Haig will discuss narrative ideas, character and world-building, and the themes that thread through his speculative fiction, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes look in a lively festival venue.
Dr John Cooper Clarke
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 at 20:30
The London Palladium
Dr John Cooper Clarke headlines the London Palladium with razor-sharp verse and punk-poetic wit, a thunderous spoken-word night that fizzes with counterculture energy under its glittering West End lights.
A Poem for Every Night of the Year, 10 Year Anniversary
Fri, 18 Sept 2026 at 20:30
Cadogan Hall
Join a celebratory poetry evening marking the 10th anniversary of A Poem for Every Night of the Year at Cadogan Hall as part of Chelsea Arts Festival 2026. A refined program of contemporary poems read aloud in a concert-hall setting, blending intimate voices with grand venue acoustics.
Robert Harris: Latest Fiction: Agrippa
Sat, 17 Oct 2026 at 14:30
Wimbledon BookFest
Robert Harris discusses his latest novel, Agrippa, at Wimbledon BookFest 2026. This insightful author talk delves into themes, craft, and the story behind the new fiction, set in the festival's intimate venue.
Louise Kennedy and Donal Ryan: Leading Irish Storytellers
Sat, 17 Oct 2026 at 16:30
Wimbledon BookFest
Two leading Irish storytellers, Louise Kennedy and Donal Ryan, share insights on craft and modern Irish fiction in an intimate author talk at Wimbledon BookFest. Expect lively discussion, personal anecdotes, and a window into contemporary storytelling in a festival setting.
Tim Spector: Good Mood Food
Sun, 25 Oct 2026 at 12:00
Wimbledon BookFest
Tim Spector discusses his book Good Mood Food at Wimbledon BookFest on Oct 25, 2026 at 12:00. The author talk explores how diet can influence mood and gut health, drawing on recent research, in a London venue during the festival.
Kiran Millwood Hargrave & Sarvat Hasin: Fiction Talk
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 at 20:30
Wimbledon BookFest
Join Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Sarvat Hasin for an author talk at Wimbledon BookFest 2026 as they discuss Almost Life and Strange Girls. A thoughtful exploration of contemporary fiction, storytelling craft, and character-driven narratives in a vibrant festival setting.
Xand van Tulleken: Exposing the Wellness Industry and Finding a Healthy Way to Live
Sun, 18 Oct 2026 at 14:30
Wimbledon BookFest
Xand van Tulleken dives into the wellness industry and guides audiences toward a healthier, evidence-based approach to living in this thought-provoking author talk at Wimbledon BookFest. Sharp insights, accessible data, and practical tips illuminate trends in wellness and marketing in a lively festival setting.
Lord Alf Dubs: An Extraordinary Life in Politics
Thu, 22 Oct 2026 at 19:30
Wimbledon BookFest
At Wimbledon BookFest on 22 Oct 2026 at 6:30 pm, Lord Alf Dubs discusses his extraordinary life in politics, weaving wartime memories with decades of public service and refugee advocacy. A thoughtful author talk that blends history, policy, and personal reflection.
Lord Alf Dubs: The Boy with the Knapsack: An Extraordinary Life in Politics
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 at 19:30
Wimbledon BookFest
Join Lord Alf Dubs for an author talk at Wimbledon BookFest 2026 as he discusses The Boy with the Knapsack: An Extraordinary Life in Politics. A firsthand look at a political career shaped by refugee policy and public service, with personal anecdotes and reflections in an intimate festival setting.
The Worst Poets Club
Sun, 11 Oct 2026 at 20:30
Hackney Empire
Four of the UK’s bestselling poets form a club and take to Hackney Empire for an evening of verse and banter. Expect sharp wit, intimate storytelling, and a playful clash of styles in a theatre-friendly poetry show in London.
Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason: To Be Young, Gifted and Black
Sat, 24 Oct 2026 at 18:00
Wimbledon BookFest
Author talk at Wimbledon BookFest 2026 with Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason discussing 'To Be Young, Gifted and Black'. A thoughtful exploration of identity and culture across generations in a lively literary setting. A must for readers and scholars of contemporary literature.
Luke Harding: The New International Order
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 at 19:30
Wimbledon BookFest
An engaging author talk at Wimbledon BookFest where Luke Harding discusses his insights on the shifting global order, drawing on journalism and geopolitical analysis. The talk explores power, diplomacy and the rise of new actors shaping world politics.
Margaret Drabble: A Life in Writing
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 at 19:00
Wimbledon BookFest
Renowned British novelist Margaret Drabble discusses her life in writing in this author talk at Wimbledon BookFest 2026. An intimate, thought-provoking evening exploring craft, influences, and the evolution of her acclaimed novels, presented as part of the festival's literary program in London.
Antony Seldon & Marina Wheeler: The Brexit Effect
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 at 19:30
Wimbledon BookFest
Two prominent writers discuss 'The Brexit Effect' in an engaging author talk at Wimbledon BookFest 2026. Antony Seldon and Marina Wheeler offer sharp insights into Brexit's political and social impact, in the festival's lively literary setting.
The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Podcasters Panel
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 at 21:00
Wimbledon BookFest
Join rugby podcasters Alex Payne, James Haskell, and Mike Tindall for an engaging author talk at Wimbledon BookFest. The trio shares behind-the-scenes stories, insights into rugby culture, and their podcasting journey in a lively, accessible panel at the festival.