- 28 May -28 June 2026
- Essex Writers House
- For Writers
Essex Writers House 2026
Chalkwell Hall opens its doors through June as a creative hub, offering a range of events from talks, open advice sessions and workshops to collaborative workspaces for writers, story tellers and book lovers of all levels. Read more
- Date changed
- Fiction
The Shapeshifter’s Daughter – DATE CHANGED TO 08 OCTOBER
** Date changed to Thursday 08 October ** Celebrate the joy of reclaiming our stories with best-selling author, journalist and broadcaster Sally Magnusson. The Shapeshifter's Daughter is a spellbinding feminist retelling of the Norse myth of Hel, the Goddess of the Underworld, set in the magical landscape of Orkney. Read more
- FREE
- Partner Event
Murder in Season – Book Launch
Rosie Sandler will be in conversation with Silver End Heritage Society secretary, Jackie Nesbitt. They will discuss Rosie's latest book, Murder in Season (new from Embla), set in a fictionalised version of Silver End garden village. Read more
- Biography
- SOLD OUT!
Somewhere, a Boy and a Bear – SOLD OUT
2026 marks the centenary of the publication of Winnie-the-Pooh, one of the best-selling children’s books of all time. Best-selling biographer Gyles Brandreth knew the real Christopher Robin and his new book is both an intimate and revealing biography of A A Milne (to whom there was so much more than Pooh) and a fascinating exploration of fathers and sons, children and their parents and the nature of childhood itself. Read more
- Partner Event
- Workshop
An Author’s Journey – An Interactive Workshop
Aimed at all those who enjoy reading and writing, during this hour and a half session, Mark will share his experiences of an early interest in books to becoming a published author, and how writing a book – whether it’s fiction, history, poetry, memoir – is something anyone can do. Read more
- FREE
Thurrock Local Authors Fair
Discover the rich wealth of local writing as Thurrock Libraries celebrates authors and poets from across the borough. Discuss writing, discover author stories, learn creative writing tips, and browse their books to buy and take home. Read more
- Manifesto For Essex
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Know your Beach Workshop
Join Seaside Explorers on Clacton beach for this special BSL interpreted event. We'll explore the local habitat and look for treasures that the seaside has to offer to inspire some creative art from around the world. And, of course, there will also be some time for a story and maybe some marine mischief! Read more
- Guided Walk
- Essex Writers House
- FREE
Walk and Explore Prittlewell Greenway with Lora Aziz
Join artist Lora Aziz exploring the Prittlewell Greenway through landscape, observation and language. How can we pull inspiration from the backstreet places and welcome in wonders we might pass every day? Read more
- FREE
The Human Library – Clacton
The Human Library is coming to Clacton! Just like in a real library, a visitor to the Human Library can borrow a book from a range of titles. The difference is that books are PEOPLE, and reading is a CONVERSATION. Come along, connect with people you wouldn’t normally meet, and celebrate positive differences in our communities. Read more
- Biography
- Non-fiction
Anywhere But Here
From an award-winning journalist comes the hugely timely story of Britain’s broken asylum system and the search for belonging in Britain today. With unique and unparalleled access, award-winning journalist and former Home Office insider Nicola Kelly takes us behind the scenes what happens when you arrive here in the UK, from boat to shore to holding room and beyond. Read more
- Open Mic
- FREE
- Poetry
Art:Up! Homecoming Poetry Reading And Open Mic
The final instalment of the Art:Up! This collaborative poetry project has seen more than fifty poets get together and share new poetry since launching at the 2025 Essex Book Festival. Come along to the finale event and support diverse voices from around the county. Read more
- FREE
Stand Up For Diversity Clacton
An evening of mini-talks and short soap-box shout-outs bringing together people who want to champion and celebrate diversity in the arts and in our communities, share the work they do with others, and collectively celebrate strong diverse voices. All welcome. Read more
- Historical Fiction
- ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT!
The Boleyn Secret
Sunday Times best-selling historical novelist Alison Weir gives a talk about her spellbinding new novel, The Boleyn Secret. At twelve years old, Kate Carey attends her aunt, Queen Anne Boleyn, to the scaffold. Weir explores in fiction the lasting impact of this event as well as the likelihood that Katherine Carey was Henry VIII’s child. Read more
- Thriller
Based on a True Story
Sarah Vaughan, million copy best-selling author of Anatomy of a Scandal, talks about her latest ‘utterly addictive’ thriller, Based on a True Story - a compelling novel about power, money and lies. A famed children’s author summons her family and friends to her exquisite manor house on the cliffs but on the eve of a lavish party someone threatens to expose the lie she’s kept up for over half a century. Read more
- Essex Writers House
- FREE
- In Conversation
Writing and the Power of Language: Camilla Balshaw, Emily Addeni-Holman and Boakye D. Alpha
Join us for an evening with the National Centre for Writing’s Escalator Writers Emily Abdeni-Holman and Boakye D. Alpha, in conversation with award-winning author Camilla Balshaw about writing and the power of language, with discussion rooted in cultural histories, oppression and identity. Read more
- Thriller
From Bombay to Bond, via a Small Town Killing
Best-selling crime writer Vaseem Khan takes us on an exhilarating journey from the post-Independence complexities of his Malabar House novels to contemporary Britain's MI6 and the exploits of James Bond. His new series, beginning with Quantum of Menace, brings to life one of spy fiction's most iconic characters - but who was the real Q? Read more
- Fiction
The Benefactors
We are delighted to be joined by virtuoso short story writer of collections such as Sweet Home for this special event to discuss her astounding novel, The Benefactors - a blazingly funny and astute portrait of modern-day Northern Ireland that deftly mines issues of class, money and parenthood. Read more
- Fiction
DLS Lecture – The Murder Mystery
This year’s DLS Lecture marks the 50th anniversary of the Dorothy L Sayers Society. Best-selling author Sophie Hannah will discuss the ever-popular murder mystery as a genre with reference to Sayers’ first Lord Peter Wimsey mystery, Whose Body? and will also talk about her latest book Work Experience, a new collection of maverick poems plus two murder mystery plays, The Mystery of Mr. E and Work Experience. Read more
- Fiction
- In Conversation
- ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT!
Ever Land
Debut novelist Amy Abdelnoor lived and worked in the West Bank and in refugee camps in Lebanon which inspired Ever Land, a powerful story set in 2000s Palestine. A tale of belonging and identity, of devastation and displacement and – ultimately – of the enduring universality of humanity and love. Read more
- FREE
Stories in Transit
Stories in Transit is an ongoing workshop series, inviting participants who have lived experience of migration to imagine and create fantastical stories together. Together with artists, musicians, animators and writers, stories that emerge through play, games and walks are developed and performed. Read more
- Essex Writers House
- FREE
- Poetry
A Poet in Every Port with the mobile National Poetry Library
The mobile National Poetry Library is coming to Southend-on-Sea. Be prepared for a mini programme of weekend activity for all ages to enjoy, with the opportunity to contribute prose, poetry and words to the Mobile Poetry Library. Read more
- Partner Event
Heathlands and Badlands: The deserts of Europe are closer than you think…
Author of European Deserts, Chris Stone, tells the untold story of the little-known deserts of Europe, returning to his lifelong passion for environmental conservation in an increasingly nature-depleted world. Read more
- Fiction
The Great Deception
Join us in the enchanted Harlow Museum's Walled Garden and enter a world of mystery, espionage and illusion with author Syd Moore as she discusses the second in her thrilling new series about Britain’s secret wartime history. The Great Deception, set in Iceland, is the second in the thrilling WW2 series and explores deceiving occultists, age-old magic and a war-torn world. Read more
- Partner Event
- Poetry
Ditty Bag on the Road
Harlow-born writer Rebecca Leek will be hosting a showcase of poetry in Harlow Museum’s Walled Gardens, inviting other poets to collaborate in a mixed session. Expect different voices, a celebration of words, and fresh poems to enjoy. Read more
- History
- The History Books
Downfall of the Templars
Why were the Knights Templar brutally crushed after years of courageous service in the Crusades? Were they framed for being heretics, sorcerers and traitors? Do the Templars still exist today? Broadcaster and author Tony McMahon investigates the links between the trials of the Templars and the witch hunt mania that was about to grip Europe. Read more
- Art
- SOLD OUT!
Maggi Hambling – SOLD OUT
Maggi Hambling, one of the most influential artists of her generation, will be talking with author, writer and art critic James Cahill about a new monograph of her work recently published by Rizzoli New York. Join us for an afternoon to celebrate and shine a light on Hambling’s fearless spirit and trailblazing art. Read more
- History
- The History Books
The Traitor’s Circle
Prize-winning journalist and acclaimed author of The Escape Artist Jonathan Freedland tells the thrilling true story of one of the most dramatic episodes of the second world war. With deep moral resonance for our own time, he asks what kind of person it takes to risk everything and stand up to tyranny. Read more
- Biography
- In Conversation
Hen, Mistress of Mayhem: A Portrait of Henrietta Moraes
Darren Coffield will be exploring his book, Hen Mistress of Mayhem: A Portrait of Henrietta Moraes, providing a unique insight into 1950-60s Bohemia and the key players of the fashion, music and art scene. Read more
- Partner Event
DOSE Fest
Four immersive zones. One powerful experience. One unforgettable day. Explore creativity in the Dopamine Lab, connect in the Oxytocin Hut, reset in the Serotonin Studio, and energise in the Endorphin Arena - all brought together at the vibrant Equation Stage. Limited first release tickets now on sale. Read more
- Fiction
- ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT!
The Shapeshifter’s Daughter
Celebrate the joy of reclaiming our stories with best-selling author, journalist and broadcaster Sally Magnusson. The Shapeshifter's Daughter is a spellbinding feminist retelling of the Norse myth of Hel, the Goddess of the Underworld, set in the magical landscape of Orkney. Read more