News Maidstone LitFest 2024 line-up announced
The full programme for the Maidstone LitFest (5–12 October) has been announced and is sure to delight book fans, with free children’s events, writing workshops, comedy and best-selling authors.
The 2024 Maidstone LitFest is funded by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) following a hugely successful launch in 2023.
Cllr Stephen Thompson – MBC Cabinet Member for Healthier Stronger Communities in Maidstone said:
“The Council is very proud to bring the Maidstone LitFest back for a second year with a wider offer of events, including best-selling authors as well as local writers and poets. All of the children’s events have been made free to attend and we hope to see larger audiences enjoying the programme. I look forward to the town centre hosting another festival for the community and beyond.”
Some of the authors featuring in this year’s festival include Gyles Brandreth, Maria McErlane, Gill Hornby, Jess Kidd, Joseph Coelho (Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate 2022–24) and Tim Weaver.
New this year will be events for poetry lovers, featuring a workshop with Dorothy Lehane and an opportunity to listen to live poetry.
The Maidstone LitFest offers the chance to celebrate literature and keep the love of books alive by discovering new writers, as well as meeting old favourites and best-selling authors. The festival takes place in venues across Maidstone town centre including the beautiful Maidstone Museum, the iconic Town Hall, All Saints Church, Waterstones, and The Kent History and Library Centre.
Also new for 2024 is a Festival Family Fun Day at Lockmeadow on Sunday 6 October, featuring children’s entertainment, arts and crafts, family fun and the return of the local writers’ showcase. The team at One Maidstone and MaidStory are sponsoring a Book Worm hunt through the town centre, with prizes being awarded at Lockmeadow during the Fun Day.
Teaming up with Maidstone Museum, the LitFest is bringing two fabulous authors to the town focusing on incredible women from history whose stories remain largely unexplored. Following a screening of the outstanding film ‘Hidden Figures’ at the museum, historians and authors Dr Helen Fry (Women in Intelligence) and Caitlin Davies (Private Inquiries) will be in conversation with Dr Jane Shankar about the hidden roles women have played in history.
The programme for children and schools this year is bigger than ever with authors going into 24 schools, free children’s events at the weekends and the launch of our first children’s writing competition. Supported by a grant from the William and Edith Oldham Charitable Trust, the LitFest team wants to reach even more children and families to share a love of reading and books.
Tickets for events start at £5 with all children’s events free (booking still required for free events) and are available from the Visit Maidstone website:
Maidstone LitFest (visitmaidstone.com)
Full Festival Programme
Saturday 5th October
10am Dorothy Lehane – Poetry Workshop, Writing the self.
Join us for an immersive poetry workshop designed to explore the landscapes of personal identity & expression. Kent History and Library Centre, ME14 1LQ £12
11.30am Lucy Strange – Writing for wellbeing.
Award-winning author Lucy Strange leads this practical and supportive workshop, exploring the numerous ways in which writing can not only be a rewarding creative outlet, but can also benefit our mental health.
Kent History and Library Centre, ME14 1LQ £12
1.30pm Alex English – Map Magic: Create Your Own Island of Adventure!
Join children’s author Alex English for a FREE and fun story and craft workshop designed for young explorers aged 6-11. Alex will guide young adventurers through the thrilling process of designing their very own treasure maps, complete with perilous pirate obstacles and an X that marks the spot!
Maidstone Museum, ME14 1LH FREE
3pm Eva Verde & Elvin James Mensah
Join writers Eva Verde (In Bloom) and Elvin James Mensah (Small Joys) as they discuss the themes of love, friendship and family in their sensational novels.
Maidstone Museum, ME14 1LH £8
4.30pm Rosie Hewlett - Author Rosie Hewlett delves into Greek mythology and takes us on a journey of persecution, torment, power and revenge with her Sunday Times Bestseller Medea. Maidstone Museum, ME14 1LH £8
6pm Rosie Wilby – The Breakup Monologues: The Unexpected Joy of Heartbreak - Award-winning comedian, author and podcaster Rosie Wilby explores the science of heartbreak and reveals the truth about how we can turn a breakup into an opportunity for healing, learning and growth.
Babasheesh, 32 Earl Street, ME14 1PS £8
Sunday 6th October
10am – 3pm Family Fun Day and Local Writers’ Showcase
A day of book-related family fun and entertainment together with our very own local writers’ showcase.
FREE Lockmeadow Entertainment Centre, Maidstone, ME16 8SF. Free parking.
Monday 7th October
2pm Archives talk and tour – Teachers and Triangle Girls: Novels of WWI Women built from true stories found in the Kent Archive
Join archivist Mark Bateson on a tour of the Kent archives and enjoy a talk with author Janys Thornton about the everyday accounts recorded in the Kent Archives and how these helped build a picture of the everyday lives of women in World War One on the Isle of Sheppey.
FREE Kent History and Library Centre, ME14 1LQ
7pm Holly Seddon
Join internationally bestselling author Holly Seddon as she discusses the darker side of her deliciously thrilling novels.
Waterstones, Fremlin Walk, ME14 1QP £8
Tuesday 8th October
7pm Jess Kidd
Join award-winning author Jess Kidd as she talks about her most recent book The Night Ship, an epic and imaginative historical novel, based on the true story of the ship, Batavia, wrecked in the Indian Ocean.
Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s Street, ME14 1LH £8
7pm WATERSTONES PRESENTS: Dan Abnett
Celebrated comic book writer and novelist Dan Abnett talks about his work with Marvel, DC and the world of Warhammer.
Waterstones, Fremlin Walk, ME14 1QP £5
Wednesday 9th October
7pm Maria McErlane - Maria’s memoir, Bumps in the Road, gives us the same honesty and humour Maria employs for the many listeners seeking advice in her thirteen years as an agony aunt with Graham Norton.
Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s Street, ME14 1LH £8
7pm WATERSTONES PRESENTS: Martin Latham
Author and Waterstones bookseller Martin Latham takes us on a journey of discovery through Kent’s Strangest Tales.
Waterstones, Fremlin Walk, ME14 1QP £5
Thursday 10th October
10am Joseph Coelho (Waterstone’s children’s laureate 2022-24)
Schools’ event sponsored by the Valley Invicta Academies Trust.
All Saints Church, Mill Street, ME15 6YE
7pm Gill Hornby
Delve into the gorgeous Regency era with bestselling author Gill Hornby as she discusses her most recent look at the world of the Austens, this time through the story of Jane’s friend, Anne Sharp.
Maidstone Town Hall, High Street, ME14 1TF £8
Friday 11th October
7.30pm – Tim Weaver
Bestselling author Tim Weaver discusses his latest David Raker thriller.
Waterstones, Fremlin Walk, ME14 1QP £8
Saturday 12th October
12pm Gyles Brandreth:
Prose & Cons - The English Language in Just A Minute
Bestselling author and English language virtuoso, Gyles Brandreth, takes us on a whirlwind tour of the English language in his signature style and wit.
All Saints Church, Mill Street, ME15 6YE £8
2pm Helen Fry and Caitlin Davies - Hidden Women, Hidden Lives”
Join historians and authors Helen Fry (Women in Intelligence) and Caitlin Davies (Private Inquiries) as they discuss the fascinating but often hidden contribution that women have made throughout history.
Maidstone Museum, ME14 1LH £8
2pm Children’s author Gianna Pollero and illustrator Sarah Horne
Join the team behind the Monster Doughnuts series in this interactive event focusing on the creation of these hilarious books. Includes children’s competition winner presentation for ages 5+
All Saints Church, Mill Street, ME15 6YE FREE
3.30pm Scarlett Thomas - From the bestselling author of The End of Mr Y comes this savage and subversive literary thriller, The Sleepwalkers, as a Greek honeymoon descends into chaos.
Maidstone Museum, ME14 1LH £8
4pm Children’s author Sam Sedgman
Unlock your inner mystery-solver and learn the SECRETS OF TIME in this fact-packed event from bestselling author and confirmed nerd Sam Sedgman. Includes children’s competition winner presentation for ages 7–14.
All Saints Church, Mill Street, ME15 6YE FREE
6pm Poetry Event with Christopher Horton, Maggie Harris and Jessica Mookherjee listen to award-winning poets share their work.
Waterstones, Fremlin Walk, ME14 1QP £5
7pm Stuart Heritage - Join Stuart Heritage for a hilarious evening discussing his latest book Bald. The Market House, Earl Street, ME14 1PS £8