Event Calendar

Come and hear the latest work from the amazing pens of the Hastings Young Writers (10-17) .

Celebrated biographer Miranda Seymour in conversation with Backlisted's Andy Miller about her intimate, revealing and profoundly moving biography of the extraordinary writer Jean Rhys, acclaimed author of Wide Sargasso Sea.

Join experimental artists Marcia Farquhar & Andrew Kötting for a candid chat about their careers and their many collaborative works together to celebrate the launch of their two new publications.

NO FURTHER TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS EVENT

Christina Lamb - from Afghanistan to the Prince Rupert Hotel - A foreign reporter turns her eye to her own county: reporting difficult issues from war rape to homelessness. In conversation with Erica Smith

Join Paul Coomey, the author and illustrator of Stick Boy, at this special event where he will tell you all of the secrets to his storytelling. Suitable for children aged 7+, with readings, drawing, silly voices and all sorts of shenanigans.

Support, encourage but most of all ENJOY an evening of spoken word where we'll do our best to engage with YOU!'

Best-selling author, Alison Weir, joins us to relate the astonishing story of Elizabeth of York - the oldest daughter of King Edward IV of England and his wife, Elizabeth Woodville. Alison’s talk will be followed by a Q&A session and a book signing.

Join bestselling author Tristan Gooley, as he explains how to read the clues in every cloud, breeze, hill, street, plant, animal, and dewdrop. Learn rare skills that will enhance every minute you spend outdoors, whether you are out in the country, in the town, or, as this is Hastings, on the beach.

Marie in the Margins video installation director Gail Borrow discusses how she has approached the portrayal of a female cultural workforce, reflecting on how the lives of medieval female artists working in the margins have real relevance for the creatives of today.

We offer one-to-one sessions with brilliant agents and are thrilled to offer two agents across two days this year. Tom Drake-Lee and Hannah Sheppard are literary agents with the DHH Literary Agency. This page is for Tom's sessions on 22nd September. For Hannah on 17th September see link below.

Always wanted to write, but don’t know where to start? This welcoming event from The Hastings Writing Workshop is just the place for you.

Join us for an HBF-flavoured Bavard Bar, a delightful blend of TED, comedy and Radio 4.

In this three hour workshop, participants will explore their connection with the world and themselves via the use of Shakespearean text and Renaissance philosophy. The workshop will be led by author and award-winning theatre practitioner Emily Carding.

From proficient to efficient: the changing English language. Is English shrinking? Probably, yes. But maybe not in the way you were thinking. This talk looks at the ways in which written style has changed over the past century, making different use of the grammatical possibilities English offers.

Natalie Haynes takes you on a fast-paced tour through the history of Medusa, who she was and why we still see her all around us today.

Calling all cat owners and cat lovers! The hugely experienced and knowledgeable cat behaviourist and author, Anita Kelsey, is bringing her understanding of all things feline to this year’s Hastings Book Festival.

A Joy Forever - encounters with Keats and Wordsworth developed by poets and friends Julia Bird and Mike Sims. Find out more about Keats connection to St Leonards!