A weekend-long celebration of literature, with a variety of author talks, panels, workshops, and activities for the whole family.
Plymouth Laureate of Words: The Class of 2025-27
Join Plymouth’s Laureate of Words 2025-27, R.C. Thomas, and his shortlisted cohorts, Samantha Carr, Nica Cornell and Cate Taylor, plus special guest TBC, as they share a selection of their work to kick off the festival. There’ll be deep insight, there’ll be light-hearted laughter, and there’ll be everything in between.
Saturday 14th, 2026 · 10.30am – 11.30am
7 Summits with Ed Buckingham
Join adventurer and author Ed Buckingham as he shares the thrilling story behind 7 Summits, his journey to conquer the highest peak on every continent. From icy climbs to life-changing moments, this inspiring talk is a testament to resilience, exploration, and the power of chasing big dreams.
Saturday 14th, 2026 · 11am – 12pm
Plymouth Writer’s Group Open Mic
Celebrate local voices with PWG as they take the stage for open mic readings of their original work. From poetry to short stories and everything in between, enjoy a vibrant mix of styles and genres in this showcase of homegrown talent.
Saturday 14th, 2026 · 12pm – 1pm
Tickets not required
Sunday 15th, 2026 · 1pm – 2pm
Setting the Scene: Writing Coastal Romance
From windswept beaches to quiet coastal towns, the sea has long been a powerful setting for love stories. In this talk with Kate Hepplewhite, explore why coastal landscapes work so beautifully in romance fiction, and how writers can bring shorelines, weather, and seascapes vividly to life on the page. Discover how place can shape emotion, deepen character, and turn a setting into a story’s beating heart.
Saturday 14th, 2026 · 12pm – 1pm
Tickets not required
The Wild Women of Cornwall Literary Readings
A celebration of all things womanly featuring prize-winning Abigail Ottley and members of Cornwall’s all-female Mor Poetry Collective.
Saturday 14th, 2026 · 1pm – 2pm
Tickets not required
In/visibilities: Celebrating Older Women’s Voices Panel
With Amanda Harris, Clare Owen, Emma Timpany, Helen Scadding, Helen Thomas, Jackie Taylor, Pippa Marriott, Shelley Trower, and Tracey Fuller
Join Women Speak Volumes (South West) for a lively panel celebrating the voices and experiences of older women writers. Exploring themes of visibility, creativity, and resilience, the discussion asks how age shapes what we write — and what unexpected freedoms it can bring.
Saturday 14th, 2026 · 2pm – 3pm
Where No Shadow Awaits with Angela Smith
A haunting and thought-provoking story that blends literary depth with emotional resonance. Discover the inspiration behind the book and the journey from academic to novelist in this illuminating talk.
Saturday 14th, 2026 · 3pm – 4pm
Tickets not required
Author Talk with Crime Thriller Writer Terry Green
Join Terry, an amusing and entertaining raconteur, to hear about the twists and turns of his life and career that ultimately led to him writing his first crime thriller, “Redline”, a fast and furious read set in the glamorous world of sports cars. Terry will pepper his talk with anecdotes and the event will be interspersed with extracts from Redline, read by Nigel Howells from the South West’s Moonstone Theatre Company
Saturday 14th, 2026 · 3pm – 4pm
Writing Cornwall, Writing Romance: Landscape, Love, and Literary Respect with Amy Lamorna
Explore how the romance genre offers a powerful, often underrated, way to write place, people, and emotional truth. Her talk challenges literary bias and defends romance as a vital part of the literary landscape, celebrating the richness of regional storytelling.
Sunday 15th, 2026 · 10am – 11am
Tickets not required
From Pen to Publication – Panel
With Terri Nixon, Cathie Hartigan, Elizabeth Ducie, William Telford, David Sharp, and Louise Sharland (Chair)
What does it take to turn a first draft into a published book? Our panel share their experiences of writing, publishing, and everything in between. Expect practical tips, honest insights, and inspiration for writers at every stage.
Sunday 15th, 2026 · 10.30am – 11.30am
Sports Knights with Peter Donaldson
Join Peter to mark 100 years since the first knighthood for sport, with a fascinating look at Britain’s honoured athletes. From legendary champions to overlooked heroes, this talk reveals what sporting honours tell us about fame, culture, and society over the last century. Perfect for sports fans and history enthusiasts alike.
Sunday 15th, 2026 · 11am – 12pm
Tickets not required
Crime Writer Panel
With Caroline Serpell, Stephanie Austin, Helena Dixon, and Elizabeth Ducie
Moderator: Miranda Ramphul
A lively discussion on crafting mysteries that keep readers guessing. From cosy crimes to gripping thrillers, hear how these writers build suspense, develop compelling characters, and plot the perfect murder. Ideal for mystery lovers and aspiring crime writers alike!
Sunday 15th, 2026 · 12pm – 1pm
Why We Should Respect the Romance Genre with Mary Georgina de Grey
Mary Georgina de Grey looks at how romance through the ages has always served a purpose other than pure entertainment – and suggests we need to talk about it in a way which does not disparage the authors or the readers.
Sunday 15th, 2026 · 1pm – 2pm
Tickets not required.
Facts and Fiction – Love and Conflict in the Napoleonic Era with Alison Huntingford
Step into the forgotten world of Norman Cross, Britain’s first POW camp, with author Alison as she uncovers the real-life stories that inspired her novel Dance A Fearful Jig. Discover a fascinating blend of history and romance, from daring escapes to unexpected liaisons between prisoners and locals
Sunday 15th, 2026 · 2pm – 3pm
Tickets not required
Silent Truths, Spoken Lies with Miranda Ramphul
Miranda reveals how she built the compelling backstories behind her novel Silent Truths, Spoken Lies. A talk for readers who love psychological fiction and writers keen to craft believable characters.
Sunday 15th, 2026 · 2pm – 3pm
Tickets not required
From Woman’s Own To Prison: How I Became a Sunday Times Best-Selling Novelist with Jane Corry
Join Jane Corry for an extraordinary author talk that charts her journey from writing romantic stories for Woman’s Own to becoming a Sunday Times bestselling crime novelist.
Sunday 15th, 2026 · 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Life Can Be Stranger than Fiction with Laurence Shelley
From a dream and a walk across Devon to an unexpected role in a Dartmoor village play, Laurence’s journey to writingVisions of Wilderness is as remarkable as the novel itself. He shares how real-life experiences of brain injury, homelessness, and recovery shaped his fiction, offering a moving exploration of resilience, creativity, and the power of storytelling.
Sunday 15th, 2026 · 3pm – 4pm
Tickets not required
Workshops:
The Business of Self-Publishing with Elizabeth Ducie
Self-publishing is a credible, professional option—if done right. This workshop offers a clear overview of all publishing routes, then guides you through key decisions for successful self-publishing. Leave with a practical decision tree and the confidence to take control of your publishing journey.
Saturday 14, 2026 · 10am – 12pm
SOLD OUT
What Goes Into a Romance Novel with Mary Georgina de Grey
Discover what makes a love story truly engaging in this dynamic 50-minute workshop. We’ll explore the building blocks of romantic fiction—believable characters, compelling conflict, and emotional stakes—with short writing exercises and the chance to share your work. Come ready to write, reflect, and be inspired.
Saturday 14th, 2026 · 1pm – 2pm
An introduction to writing crime fiction
This friendly, practical workshop offers an engaging introduction to crime fiction for beginners and experienced writers alike. Led by crime writer Louise Sharland, it explores the essentials of the genre, including plot, tension, character, and setting.
Saturday 14th, 2026 · 2pm – 4pm
SOLD OUT
Love Letters for the Unloved Beings – Creative Writing Workshop with Lizzie Elliot-Klein (Ages 10+)
Reimagine your relationship with the often-overlooked creatures of our cities — from seagulls and pigeons to weeds and spiders. Through mindfulness exercises, fascinating facts, and guided prompts, you’ll craft a heartfelt ‘love letter’ to one of these unloved beings.
Sunday 15th, 2026 · 3pm – 4pm
SOLD OUT
Kids:
Creative Writing Workshop with Lamorna Academy
Step into The Imaginarium – a magical, free workshop where the love of reading sparks the magic of writing, and imaginations take flight! Conjure castles, map mysterious lands, and dream up creatures no one has ever seen – all using the power of words.
Saturday 14, 2026 · 10am – 12pm
Tickets not required
Piskey Path Puppet Show with Mazed Tales
Join Hunt and Bottrell as they unpack their suitcase of stories with a bit of help from Mazed storytellers. Hear tales of generous giants, mischievous miskeys, hissing sprigging, and flying sheep.
Saturday 14th, 2026 · 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Tickets not required
Fantasy Map Drawing Workshop with Adam. D. Downton (Ages 8-16)
A hands-on workshop where imagination meets cartography! Learn how to create your own magical lands, complete with kingdoms, mountains, and mysterious seas—perfect for writers, artists, and dreamers of all ages.
Saturday 14th, 2026 · 2pm – 3pm
Storytelling, Puppetry, and Crafts Session
Inspire Theatre Collective will join forces with children’s author and illustrator Samantha Webb for an exploration of the imagination. Storytellling, puppetry and crafts combine for a session filled with colour and creativity for children and anyone young at heart.
Sunday 15th, 2026 · 11am – 12pm
Tickets not required
Bosun Bob – The Salty Sea Dog: Reading and Crafts with Erin Allgrove
Join a lively and interactive session filled with stories, creativity, and fun! We’ll share tales about our pets and favourite animals, dream up imaginative adventures for them, and then bring those stories to life with our very own illustrated book covers. Perfect for budding storytellers and artists of all ages, this session promises laughter, learning, and lots of creative magic.
Sunday 15th, 2026 · 1pm – 2pm
Tickets not required
Get your tickets here.