- 28 May -30 June 2025
- Non-fiction
- SOLD OUT!
Essex Book Festival Launch: Billy Bragg
We are delighted to welcome singer, songwriter and activist Billy Bragg to launch Essex Book Festival 2018. Against a backdrop of Cold War politics, rock and roll riots and a newly assertive working-class youth, Billy charts the history, impact and legacy of Britain's original pop movement, and how Skiffle changed the world. Read more
- For Writers
- SOLD OUT!
- Workshop
Novel Writing for Beginners: Harriet Paige
Harriet Paige, whose debut novel 'Man with a Seagull on his Head' was shortlisted for The Guardian's Not the Booker Award, guides you through the process of crafting your first novel, with practical tips on creating characters, scene setting, structuring the plot and submitting your manuscript to agents and publishers. 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
- Fiction
- SOLD OUT!
The Keeper of Lost Things: Ruth Hogan
Aging author Anthony Peardew has spent his life collecting misplaced items. When he dies his assistant Laura is left to fulfill his final wish of reuniting the objects with their rightful owners. An enchanting debut novel from self-confessed ‘magpie’ Ruth Hogan about loss, second chances and endless possibilities. Read more
- Fiction
- SOLD OUT!
The Forgotten Wife
Emma Robinson is the author of five novels about motherhood and friendship and writes the humorous blog Motherhood For Slackers. Emma will share her own journey to publication as well as reading from her latest novel The Forgotten Wife – a heart-breaking family drama with a stunning twist. Read more
- Essex Writers House
- In My Steps - Radical Walks in Essex
- Non-fiction
- SOLD OUT!
Radical Marshes – Wat Tyler Country
Tom King has an unsurpassed knowledge and passion for walking the Thames Estuary coastline. On this outing Tom takes us across the radical marshes into Wat Tyler country, leading us to where The Peasants Revolt began, through the lowlands and across the marshes to the White Lion Pub in Fobbing (which is thought to be haunted by previous occupants) for some respite. Meeting 11am Pitsea Station Length: up to 4/5 Hours Difficulty: Flat terrain but mixture of footing Read more
- In My Steps - Radical Walks in Essex
- Non-fiction
- SOLD OUT!
Witch Trail – Manningtree to Mistley
Syd Moore leads a guided walk from Manningtree to Mistley the setting for one of the biggest witch hysteria’s the county has ever seen, and which are mentioned in several of her books. The walk promises a discussion about witchfinder general and associates and their motivations, and a commemoration to some who the lost their lives. The walk brings the villages to life, where the participants are transformed back to the time of the witch trials. Read more
- In My Steps - Radical Walks in Essex
- Outside
- SOLD OUT!
Ancient Oaks and the Roundheads
Trees operate at a different pace to humans. When the Honywood Oak was a mere sapling, the Magna Carta was signed, 400 years on Parliamentarian soldiers gathered beneath its boughs before marching to join the siege of Colchester in 1648. Join James Canton, author of The Oak Papers, under the book’s massive chief protagonist, the Honywood Oak, before exploring the fascinating grounds of Marks Hall Estate in Coggeshall. Tickets: Walk £8 / £5 Read more
- In My Steps - Radical Walks in Essex
- SOLD OUT!
- Workshop
Writing the Wild Workshop
James Canton is a writer and lecturer who has written widely in creative non- fiction forms and taught on the MA in Wild Writing at the University of Essex since its inception in 2009, exploring the fascinating ties between the literature and landscape of East Anglia. Join James for a workshop which delves into the nature that exists in the cracks between our human constructs, in the wilds just a few feet from our doors. Tickets : £20 / £15… Read more
- Flash Fiction
- SOLD OUT!
- Workshop
The Story Hunters – Jaywick Martello Tower
In tandem with our Story Hunters Flash Fiction Competition we are hosting a series of four writing workshops in four of the designated Story Hunter sites: Jaywick Martello Tower, Cressing Temple Barns, Danbury Park, and Hadleigh County Park. Each writing workshop will include a guided tour followed by a 2 hour short fiction workshop Join novelist AK Blakemore, author of The Manningtree Witches, on a tour of Jaywick Martello Tower, followed by a 2-hour Writing the Place Workshop. Suitable 14+… Read more
- Non-fiction
- SOLD OUT!
How Spies Think; Ten lessons in Intelligence
Recounting the lessons learned from a career at the very top of the espionage tree, former GCHQ director David Omand demonstrates how the techniques employed by spies can prove hugely beneficial when tackling crises in everyday life. Join David at Shenfield Library to learn the methodology used by the British intelligence agencies to reach judgements, establish the right level of confidence and act decisively. “An invaluable guide to avoiding self-deception and fake news” - Melanie Phillips, The Times Tickets: Box… Read more
- In My Steps - Radical Walks in Essex
- Outside
- SOLD OUT!
No Matter How Many Skies Have Fallen: a rural community in time of war
Join writer Ken Worpole in a walk from Wivenhoe Station to Frating Hall Farm, the subject of his new book, No Matter How Many Skies Have Fallen. This tells the story of how a group of Christian socialists and pacifists took over the farm in 1942 and created a thriving community. The walk finishes at the farm, where some of those who grew up there will recall those heady days. Meet: Wivenhoe Station Length: 4 miles Difficulty: Easy to Moderate… Read more
- In My Steps - Radical Walks in Essex
- SOLD OUT!
Destination St. Peters
Author of Excellent Essex, Gillian Darley’s walk offers a day’s immersion in the strange, remote Dengie peninsula, with a very compelling destination: the tiny 7th century church of St Peter-on-the-Wall which sits on the foundations of Othona Roman fort. Salt marshes, cockle beds, birds and ships combine to make up the landscape, but it’s the resonance of history that will make the day memorable. Meet : Tillingham - TBC Length : 8 Miles ( 4 miles each way) or 1.5… Read more
- In My Steps - Radical Walks in Essex
- SOLD OUT!
In My Steps: Radical Walks in Essex, Bradwell – Sold Out
Flat circular walk along the seawalls, footpaths and rural roads of Bradwell on Sea. Learn about the area’s history and changing landscape, from Roman occupation, through Saxon missionary activity, agriculture and land reclamation, and military activities, to the construction and operation of Bradwell A. Read more
- LAUNCH EVENT
- For Writers
- FREE
- SOLD OUT!
- Workshop
Beach of Dreams 25 Launch and Creative Writing Workshop
Come along and meet the Kinetika team, our flag-makers/bearers, and find out how you and/or an organisation you belong to, can get involved in the epic new nationwide Beach of Dreams 25 project. Then, take part in a special Beach of Dreams creative writing workshop led by Dr James Canton, and the Wild Writing team based in the Centre for Creative Writing at the University of Essex. Read more
- History
- SOLD OUT!
Sold Out – Witchcraft: A History in 13 Trials
This book explores the history of witchcraft and witch hunts through the stories of the victims, stories which have too often been overshadowed by those of the powerful men, such as King James VI and I and “Witchfinder General” Matthew Hopkins, who hounded them. Marion Gibson will be in conversation with Syd Moore, author of The Essex Witch Museum Mysteries series. Read more
