Margate Bookie returns for its eleventh year this autumn
“I’m delighted to announce this year’s Margate Bookie programme,” says Margate Bookie founder Andreas Loizou. “The line up this year spans such a broad spectrum of literature, including contemporary fiction, journalism, memoir and graphic novels. I can’t wait to hear from these speakers in October.”
Spread across three days and three venues, the festival also has three distinct parts. It kicks off with Schools Day at ARK on 16 October, followed by a day of big-name author talks at Turner Contemporary on 17 October, and then the festival’s popular Write Up workshops at Droit House on 18 October.
Ticket prices for events open to the public are priced at £12, or £8 for people on low incomes. It is a key aim for the festival to ensure that its events are accessible to as many people as possible.
Day passes are also available for Saturday and Sunday, offering a discount of over 30% on full price tickets. Find out more and book at margatebookie.com
See the full programme below.
16 October: Schools Day at ARK
A day of workshops for local school children, where they will hear from published authors about their work and take part in practical writing activities. Attendance at these events is by invitation only
Speakers:
Emma Read – Already a beloved children’s author, Emma will be discussing her debut YA novel Darker Water.
Felicity Epps – Broadstairs-based Felicity will lead a workshop based on her latest YA novel A Deadly Scandal.
Find out more: margatebookie.com/schools-day-2026
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 Withthe 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 and book tickets: margatebookie.com/headliners-2026
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 and book tickets: margatebookie.com/write-up-2026
