- 31 May -30 June 2024
- Fiction
- ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT!
A Criminally Good Afternoon Tea: Nine Lessons with Nicola Upson
At the turn of the century, M R James told ghost stories by candlelight to a handful of scholars over supper after Christmas Eve’s carol service. Twenty-five years later, they are being killed off one by one... Nicola Upson tells you about the seventh novel in her highly praised Josephine They series. Read more
- Fiction
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The Special Girls: Isabelle Grey
DI Grace Fisher investigates a cold case and the murder of a young doctor, all connected to a summer camp for young patients with eating disorders located deep in the Essex countryside. The Special Girls is a nailbiting psychological thriller with a main character you will love and a final twist that will break your heart. Read more
- Networking
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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
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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
- Non-fiction
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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
- In partnership
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- Re-Writing the Archive
- Workshop
Re-Writing the Archive – Online Writing Workshop with Thurrock Museum
Essex Book Festival has joined forces with the Essex Museums on an exciting new writing project: Rewriting the Archive. A team of writers and artists, assisted by four curators, have each been invited to select ten objects from the County’s heritage collections that tell difficult ‘stories’. These objects will form the basis of four two-hour online writing/artist workshops. Thurrock Museums hosts Syd Moore, writer, activist and founding member of Essex Girls Liberation Front as she explores the collection at Thurrock… Read more
- Discussion
- Festival Launch
- Non-fiction
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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
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- Theatre
MASKED – a zoom theatre event plus Q & A
MASKED – a zoom theatre event plus Q&A Written by award winning Essex writer, Nicola Werenowska, MASKED explores undiagnosed female neurodivergency through the lives of three women. What happens when you know you're the weird girl? The one no one wants to play with. The one who can't hold down a job. How do you hide who you are? And what happens when you can't hide it anymore? MASKED is directed by Jeni Draper and supported by Arts Council… Read more
- For Writers
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- Workshop
Self Editing and Self Publishing Workshop
Why is it important to self-edit your manuscript and how should you do it? What are the advantages of self-publishing your book, and what do you need to be aware of if you’re looking to collaborate with a professional or publishing business? Find the answers to these questions in this Zoom workshop with author and editor, Maddy Glenn. Read more
- Essex Writers House
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Fens, Forests and Fields
Fens, forests and Fields is an astonishing new book about a landscape in Essex that time forgot; The Land of the Fanns: www.landofthefanns.org In this talk, one of its authors, Ken Worpole, will discuss what he discovered on his journeys through ‘the Fanns’, exploring the ebb and flow between London and Essex that has created this liminal landscape. Ken Worpole is a renowned author and social historian. His many books include 350 Miles: An Essex Journey (2005) & The New… Read more
- Essex Writers House
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- Outside
- Partner Event
Fens, Forest and Field Bike Ride
Join Ken Worpole on a gentle cycle across ‘the Fanns’, exploring hidden gems and local stories that uncover the history of this unique landscape. Starting and finishing in Rainham, a maximum of 12 miles. More Info: : www.essexwritershouse.com Read more
- Essex Writers House
- ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT!
- Outside
Walk, Wade, Write
Join Southend writer Daniel Kramb, for a walk by the beach and a swim, followed by a haiku inspired poetry writing session in Chalkwell Park. More info: Places limited http://www.essexwritershouse.com Read more
- In My Steps - Radical Walks in Essex
- In person
- Music
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Mountaineers of Essex Expedition 001
Did you know Essex has 28 mountains? Join husband and wife artist team Hartle O’Hare on their first summit expedition of the Mountaineers of Essex: Canvey Heights, a man-made mountain with expansive views out towards the mouth of the Thames Estuary and across to Kent. Muse upon the marvellous vistas, discuss perception and the effect on the emotions of place, experience Canvey Island from its constructed giddy heights. Like life, it could be that the journey is more important than… Read more
- Non-fiction
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Thames Estuary Trail – A Journey Round the End of the World
Writer Tom King will be discussing the new edition of his now legendary book Thames Estuary Trail, complete with new chapters and adventures. Join us for what is sure to be an educating and illuminating night full of Tom’s many musings from along the trail, together a discussion around the two additional chapters with the opportunity to see and purchase the newly designed edition published on 30th May 2021 as part of Estuary 2021. Read more
- In My Steps - Radical Walks in Essex
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- Outside
- SOLD OUT!
In John Clare’s Boots: The Poet in Epping Forest – In My Steps: Radical Walks in Essex – SOLD OUT!
Join the poet Robert Hamberger to follow in the footsteps of the ‘peasant poet' John Clare in Epping Forest Read more
- In My Steps - Radical Walks in Essex
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- Outside
Sculpture and the use of space in Harlow – In My Steps: Radical Walks in Essex
A guided walk with outdoor writer Peter Aylmer who will lead you round a selection of Harlow's 100+ public sculptures Read more
- FREE
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- Workshop
- Young Essex
Heroes and Villains – Children’s Writing Workshop
How do you create a hero who keeps readers on the edge of their seat and a villain everyone will love to hate? Find out in middle grade author Emily Kenny’s jam-packed workshop! Read more
- FREE
- ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT!
- SOLD OUT!
SOLD OUT – Britain’s Living Seas
Marine biologist Hannah Rudd presents an alternative and sustainable future for the management of our seas. Discover the incredible diversity of life within our oceans and learn how we can all play a role in protecting and conserving it. Read more
- For Writers
- In My Steps - Radical Walks in Essex
- ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT!
- SOLD OUT!
SOLD OUT – In My Steps: Radical Walks in Essex and Writing Workshop – Boot Sale Harvest
Join author, poet and songwriter, Adrian May, for a stroll around Colchester Car Boot Sale and buy an unexpected item of your choice then use the object as inspiration for your writing at a workshop at Cuckoo Farm Studios. Read more
- Historical Fiction
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Henry VIII The Heart & The Crown
Henry VIII: The Heart & the Crown is a riveting tale, and ultimately a poignant one, taking an empathetic view of a man who is all too often portrayed as a caricature of his true self. Read more
- Crime Fiction
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DLS Lecture: Death of a Lesser God
Winner of the Crime Writers Association Historical Dagger 2021, Vaseem Khan will be discussing his lates book, Death of a Lesser God, the fourth rip-roaring thriller in his award-winning Malabar House series. Read more