Margate Bookie 2026

The friendly litfest by the sea, Margate Bookie is set to return for its eleventh edition this October!

The exciting programme includes talks from big name authors and practical workshops across various genres.

*This year, they are also offering day passes for Saturday and Sunday, giving you more than 30% off full price tickets!*

16 October: Schools Day

A full day of events for local secondary school children at ARK. These sessions are not open to the public.

Find out more about the authors speaking at this year’s Schools Days events:

Emma Read is a former biologist turned author, and is an advocate for bridging the gap between STEM and the Creatives. When she isn't writing, she's mentoring new writers, with WriteMentor and Creative Writing Ink. She is also a freelance novel editor as EmDashED, and owner of StorySpinners – a creative writing club.

Felicity Epps studied a degree in English Literature before completing a Masters in Eighteenth-Century Studies, where her research focused on female murderers in true crime writing! Felicity finds inspiration in history; researching strange and spooky subjects. She enjoys exploring cemeteries, collecting old books and hunting for ghostly Victorian photographs in antique shops. Felicity currently lives by the sea in Broadstairs, Kent, UK, with her partner, Josh, and their daughter.

17 October: Headliners Day at Turner Contemporary

A full day of talks from big name authors about their careers and latest work. Speakers will also be available to sign books in the festival bookshop following their sessions.

Speakers:

Maya Jordan - Maya will be discussing her incredible memoir Chopsy: The Resistance Tales of a Working-Class Woman.
Gemma Cairney - Award-winning broadcaster and writer Gemma Cairney explores the collective power and wisdom to be found in the lives of twelve remarkable women in her book The Immortal Sisterhood.
Sylvia Patterson - Legendary music journalist Sylvia Patterson will discuss her latest book I’m Not With the Man, the flipside to her Costa-nominated memoir I’m Not With the Band.
Rebecca Perry - Acclaimed writer and poet Rebecca Perry will speak about her Booker long listed debut novel May We Feed the King.

Find out more & book tickets

18 October: Write Up workshops at Droit House

A full day of practical workshops for writers of all abilities, spanning numerous genres.

Speakers:

Nicola Wren - In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn to generate material from memory, identify the heart of your story, and take the first steps in shaping and editing your work.
Kit Proudfoot - Comedy writer Kit Proudfoot leads a workshop of writing humorously and beating writers’ block.
Bex Glendining - Graphic novel writer and illustrator Bex Glendining’s practical workshop will get you writing words for graphic novels and comics.
The School of Life - This workshop is about rediscovering creativity and finding a calm, supportive space to connect more deeply with ourselves and others.

Find out more & book tickets

Margate Bookie 2026

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