- 31 May -30 June 2024
- Discussion
Don’t Panic I’m Islamic: Extreme Comedy
How can you tell if your neighbour is speaking Muslim? Can I get fries with that burka? Join comedians Omar Hamdi, Esther Manito and Amrou Al-Kadhi, and author and broadcaster Bidisha, for an entertaining look at what art and comedy can do to combat stereotypes and regressive identity politics. Read more
- Discussion
- For Writers
Granta Birth of the Book
Granta author Lulah Eilender, her literary agent Natalie Galustian, and her editor Ka Bradley will be discussing the often challenging but remarkable birth of a book: from the author’s original idea to the finished book on the shelf. An absolute must for new and emerging writers. Read more
- Discussion
Writing the Place
A rare opportunity to hear three very different writers describe the process of conjuring landscape and place in their writing. These include festival Writer-in-Residence Syd Moore; Robin Brooks, one of Radio 4’s leading dramatists, and award-winning playwright Nicola Werenowska. Read more
- Discussion
Figuring Peace
Figuring Peace is the first in our series of three special commemorative Peace Panels. Festival patron and writer AL Kennedy, artist Maggi Hambling, and artist, curator and activist Hamja Ahsan will discuss the pivotal role played by artists and writers with regard to the representation of war and peace. Read more
- Discussion
Writing on the Inside
Drawing on the success of our Writing on the Inside workshops, panelists discuss the importance of providing writing opportunities in prison, and the transformative nature of creative writing, opening with a reading of the prisoners’ work by one of the workshop participants. Read more
- Discussion
Transitions and Integrations: Inside and ‘the Out’
How do offenders keep in touch with their families when they’re in prison? How do families cope on the outside, and who helps them? How easy is it for offenders to acclimatise to life on the outside? Our panel will provide a fascinating insight into the impact of imprisonment on prisoners and their families. Read more
- Discussion
Celebrating Edmund
Join us as we celebrate the life and work of Edmund Crispin, master of “splendidly complicated crime”, composer of music for Carry On films, and creator of the charming, frivolous and often badly behaved Gervase Fen, the detective with a donnish difference. Read more
- Discussion
Criminal Minds: CWA Panel
Hear stories of sleuthing, murder and mayhem in this fascinating discussion between members of the CWA. With over 700 members, the Crime Writers’ Association is well known for its prestigious Daggers, awarded every year for the best in crime writing, and provides an unrivalled platform for authors and their work. Read more
- Discussion
Under the Influence: A Soviet Childhood
Under the Influence brings together two international writers Polish poet Agneszskia Studinska, and award-winning Estonian author Paavo Matsin, to discuss growing up in the Soviet Union and the impact that this experience has had on their writing. 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Discussion
- Non-fiction
- POSTPONED
All at Sea?
The unusually long coastline of Essex makes it especially vulnerable to flooding. Writer and social historian Ken Worpole will be in conversation with Hana Loftus. The talk will be illustrated with archive and contemporary photographs, and graphic material opening out to a discussion of the wider issues raised for the Essex coast as a result of Climate Change. Read more
- Discussion
- Non-fiction
The power of protest: where should we draw the line?
Join Observer columnist Kenan Malik, legendary LGBT campaigner Peter Tatchell and actor Stella Odunlami for a debate on whether we should stand up for the right to protest. Chaired by Index on Censorship editor in chief Rachael Jolley. Read more
- Discussion
- Festival Launch
- Non-fiction
- ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT!
Festival Launch – We need to talk about Essex Girls
Join us for the Launch event of the 2021 festival with the amazing Women of Essex: Sarah Perry, Patron of Essex Book Festival, Syd Moore, Writer, Co- founder of the Essex Girls Liberation Front, Sadie Hasler, Playwright, Journalist and Director of Old Trunk Theatre Company, and honorary Essex Girl, Festival Director Ros Green, who will be discussing what it means to be an Essex Girl: the jokes, the misconceptions, and the strengths and growing movements that are starting to challenge… Read more
- Discussion
- In person
- Partner Event
“Let’s Talk About Sex”
1 Aug @ 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM Writers Rowan Pelling, Daisy Buchanan and Jonnie Bayfield compare notes on how behaviour and attitudes towards sex and relationships have changed because of mass media, technology, social media and economic forces. Each panelist brings their unique perspective on the subject, illuminating the dilemmas of dating and loving in today’s society. Pelling is well known for editing the Erotic Review and launching the Amorist, Buchanan is author of The Times’ best-selling novel Insatiable:… Read more
- Discussion
- Festival Finale
- Fiction
- For Writers
- In Conversation
- In partnership
- In person
- Non-fiction
- Outside
- Storytelling
- The Children's University
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Essex Book Camp
Join in the fun at the Essex Book Camp With a huge range of events for all ages, from author events with the likes of Good Morning Britain’s Dr Hilary Jones through to our fabulous storytelling yurt; woodland crafts and meditation walks; drop-in family yoga sessions and more, Cressing Temple Barns is the place to be this August Bank Holiday Sunday. Free Drop-In Activities for all ages we just need one large image of Shane Ibbs telling stories for this… Read more
- Discussion
- FREE
- In partnership
Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover
Welcome to The Human Library. 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. Read more
- CANCELLED
- Discussion
- Live Podcast
The Breakup Monologues live podcast recording – Cancelled
Award-winning comedian Rosie Wilby shares funny, bizarre and poignant tales of heartbreak and recovery with special guests Njambi McGrath and Syd Moore - in a live recording of her acclaimed podcast. Read more
- Discussion
- FREE
- Manifesto For Essex
- Online
- Young Essex
Hear My Voice – Manifesto For Essex Youth Summit Zoom Brainstorm
Are you passionate about culture and the environment? Get involved in our 2nd Manifesto for Essex Youth Summit (14-25 yr olds) as part of EASUSTAIN Read more
- Discussion
- FREE
- In partnership
- In person
- Manifesto For Essex
- Networking
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Hear My Voice – Manifesto For Essex: Climate Emergency Youth Summit
Are you 14-25 years old, living and/or studying in Essex, passionate about the environment and culture? Come along to our Hear My Voice - Youth Climate Summit at Firstsite, Colchester, part of EA Sustain Festival Read more
- Discussion
- Partner Event
Behind The Covers Of Crime at Braintree Library
Celebrate National Crime Reading month by joining Essex-based crime authors Julia Stone, Michael Heath, Rosie Sandler and David Evans for a lively panel discussion on the crime writing process. Read more
- Radical Pilgrimage
- Discussion
- SOLD OUT!
SOLD OUT – Saffron Coffee Morning (Literary Salon) – Part of Radical Pilgrimage: The Saffron Trail
Join artist, writer, wild-crafter and Radical Pilgrim Lora Aziz, Festival Director Ros Green and storyteller Glenys Newton for a morning of saffron-inspired coffee, cake and discussion. Read more
- Discussion
- Partner Event
Behind The Covers Of Crime at Great Parndon Library
Celebrate National Crime Reading month by joining Essex-based crime authors Julia Stone, Michael Heath, Rosie Sandler and David Evans for a lively panel discussion on the crime writing process. Read more
- Discussion
- Partner Event
Behind The Covers Of Crime at Clacton Library
Celebrate National Crime Reading month by joining Essex-based crime authors Julia Stone, Michael Heath, Rosie Sandler and David Evans for a lively panel discussion on the crime writing process. Read more
- Discussion
- Essex Writers House
- FREE
Blood and Belonging Panel Discussion
Three different writers from a variety of Romany Traveller backgrounds come together for a reading and event chaired by Louise Doughty. Join us for discussion and celebration of what we have in common. Read more