- 28 May -30 June 2025
- FREE
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Celebrating Collecting Dreams, Shifting Futures
Join in the fun at the finale of Essex Book Festival and Kinetika's collaborative story-gathering project, Collecting Dreams, Shifting Futures: a community celebration of Harwich’s fascinating heritage and coastline. Lots of family-friendly activities including beach workshop, silk-flag procession, writing, film-making and eco-podcast workshops, and more... Read more
- Exhibition
- FREE
Community – an exhibition
The photography students at Harlow College are proud to present their work, on the theme of ‘Community’. Throughout the work, they have discovered new insights into their home town and provided empowering representations of areas of Harlow for the viewing public, that offer unique and sensitive perspectives on the people, and culture of Essex. Read more
- Partner Event
- Performance
The Wizard of Oz
Fly over the rainbow with this exciting adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Starring the fabulous Fanny Galore as Glinda Galore, alongside a professional cast of West End performers, this spectacular, panto-like, colourful story is packed with hilarious jokes, dazzling dance routines, glittering scenery and plenty more for all the family. Read more
- For Writers
- FREE
- Partner Event
Weekly Community Writing Surgery
It is no secret that writing is the best thing for writing – but sometimes you need some advice, or just to feel part of a community of writers. With other experienced tutors, Dr Adrian May, Community Fellow and former Deputy Director of Creative Writing at Essex University will be there on call. Read more
- Music
- Partner Event
ABC: An Intimate Evening with Martin Fry
Coinciding with the publication of his autobiography, A Lexicon Of Life, join Martin Fry for an intimate evening of stripped-back music and conversation following a sold out tour of the UK. Frontman of iconic British pop band ABC, the band that redefined glamour and cool, Fry will take you on a journey through their well deserved place in pop history. Read more
- Politics
- History
Human Rights
Join leading British human rights lawyer and campaigner, Shami Chakrabarti for a powerful discussion on Human Rights: The Case for the Defence. This urgent, powerful book demonstrates why human rights matter and why we need to secure further rights to deal with challenges of the present and future. Read more
- Fiction
Passiontide
Costa-winning author of The Mermaid of Black Conch, Monique Roffey, will discuss her electrifying new novel about four women who spark a revolution on a Caribbean island. In a community in which women’s voices are often silenced, a group soon find themselves compelled to speak out when a young female steel-pan player is found dead beneath a cannonball tree. Read more
- Biography
Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal
Comedian, author and one half of BBC Radio 4’s The Infinite Monkey Cage, Robin Ince will be joining us for a quirky dive into the world of human behaviour. A powerful, personal exploration of anxiety, ADHD and neurodiversity, Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal reminds us all – no matter how weird we feel – that it’s okay to be a little different. Read more
- Memoir
The Bullet
In The Bullet, Tom Lee attempts to understand what happened to his parents - both were patients at Severalls Psychiatric Hospital in Colchester at different times in their lives - and what happened to him. It is a powerful and deeply personal exploration of mental health, and an indelible account of the legacy of familial illness and living with a fracturing mind. Read more
- Thriller
- A Criminally Good Day
- Crime Fiction
Bad Blood
Essex-based author Sarah Hornsley lived for years in Maldon, where her thrilling debut Bad Blood is set. A huge new voice in crime fiction, Sarah will be talking about writing and releasing her tense, compelling and cleverly plotted thriller. Secrets, lies and family ties unspool in this gripping, twisty, thrill-ride of a book. Read more
- Thriller
- A Criminally Good Day
- Crime Fiction
The Burial Place
Times Radio presenter, Stig Abell, will be reflecting on how his love for classic crime and the detective novels of Dorothy L Sayers, Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, to name but a few, have influenced his own crime writing including his latest evocative book in the Jake Jackson crime series, The Burial Place. Read more
- For Writers
- FREE
- Partner Event
Weekly Community Writing Surgery
It is no secret that writing is the best thing for writing – but sometimes you need some advice, or just to feel part of a community of writers. With other experienced tutors, Dr Adrian May, Community Fellow and former Deputy Director of Creative Writing at Essex University will be there on call. Read more
- Thriller
- Crime Fiction
DLS Lecture: The Secret Room
Sunday Times bestselling author, Jane Casey, will introduce her latest gripping new thriller featuring DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent, The Secret Room. Delving into how to create a main character, Casey will reflect on the different approaches of Dorothy L Sayers and other classic crime authors in developing compelling detective characters. Read more
- History
- Biography
The Scapegoat
A stunning biography of one of the most flamboyant and enigmatic seventeenth-century Englishmen at the heart of political and royal life. Lucy Hughes-Hallett will transport us into a courtly world of masques and dancing, exquisite clothes, the art of Rubens and Van Dyck, gender-fluidity, same-sex desire, and appallingly rudimentary medicine. Read more
- History
- Partner Event
Stony Jack and the Lost Jewels of Cheapside
A thrilling history of mudlarkers, charlatans, experts and chancers in the year the Titanic sank and London was growing anew. Diving into the underbelly of London’s bustling, occasionally lawless antiques trade at the turn of the century, narrative historian Victoria Shepherd paints a compelling scene of the city at the height of empire, in the midst of its remarkable transformation into a modern metropolis. Read more
- Science
- History
- Live Podcast
Always Take Notes (live podcast taping)
As the capstone of EA Festival 2025, we are taping an episode of the UK’s #1 podcast about writing, Always Take Notes. Co-hosts Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd will be interviewing physicist and multi-award-winning science writer Frank Close about his latest work, Destroyer of Worlds. Strap yourself in for a fascinating look under the hood of what makes Frank Close tick. Read more
- For Writers
- FREE
- Partner Event
Weekly Community Writing Surgery
It is no secret that writing is the best thing for writing – but sometimes you need some advice, or just to feel part of a community of writers. With other experienced tutors, Dr Adrian May, Community Fellow and former Deputy Director of Creative Writing at Essex University will be there on call. Read more
- Historical Fiction
Thou Savage Woman
Former police officer and historian Blessin Adams will introduce us to her bold, page-turning new history of traitorous wives, greedy mistresses, cunning female poisoners and spiteful witches. Sharing the stories of women whose violent crimes shattered the narrow confines of their gender – and whose notoriety revealed a society that was at once repulsed by and attracted to murderous female rebellion. Read more
- Thriller
- Crime Fiction
Essex Wives / The Brothers
The No.1 bestselling Queen of Gangland Crime, Kimberley Chambers, will be discussing her epic, pulse-pounding, The Family Man series. The latest thriller, Essex Wives (July 2025) sees the return of Sharon, Jolene and Evie and they’re out for revenge. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Read more
- Humour
Sh*tty Breaks
Over the course of a year, the author of A Chip Shop in Poznan and The Gran Tour, visited twelve of the least popular spots in the UK and Ireland (including eating jellied eels in Chelmsford). The motivation wasn’t to take the mickey, but to uncover the gems and have a nice time. He soon discovered that anywhere – like anyone – can be interesting and enjoyable if approached in the right fashion. Read more
- Folklore Myths & Legends
Sanctuary
English historian, mythographer, and author of Inventory of A Life Mislaid, Marina Warner will discuss her latest book about sanctuary: what it means for people in desperate situations today, and what refuge and displacement has meant for people throughout history, and the canons of literature and myth. Read more
- FREE
- Storytelling
- Young Essex
Storytelling and Family Fun at The Minories
Join us for some midsummer family magic in The Minories Garden. Take your seat for our Twinkle, Twinkle Storytelling Armchair featuring BBC Essex’s Rob Jelly and local children’s authors. Explore the fascinating stories of spices from around the world with writer, cook and storyteller Radhika Howarth. Get creative and messy in our very own Earth Kitchen. Learn how to weave your own star… Read more
- Biography
Derek Jarman: The Authorised Biography
We are thrilled to welcome Tony Peake in celebration of this new edition of Derek Jarman: The Authorised Biography covering Jarman's story from childhood to student life and his work as a designer, painter, and filmmaker. New contributions look at Jarman’s impact and legacy over the past five decades and his position as one of the late twentieth century’s most celebrated cultural figures. Read more
- Art
- Fiction
The Violet Hour
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear one of Britain’s most significant and controversial artists, Maggi Hambling, in conversation with art historian, James Cahill about his new book. A story of deception, power play and longing, The Violet Hour exposes the unsettling underbelly of the art world, asking: who is granted admission to a world that only seems to glitter and who is left outside, their faces pressed to the glass? Join us for what is sure to be an honest,… Read more
- For Writers
- FREE
- Partner Event
Weekly Community Writing Surgery
It is no secret that writing is the best thing for writing – but sometimes you need some advice, or just to feel part of a community of writers. With other experienced tutors, Dr Adrian May, Community Fellow and former Deputy Director of Creative Writing at Essex University will be there on call. Read more
- Travel Writing
- Partner Event
The Restless Coast
A fascinating evening with Roger Morgan-Grenville discussing his latest book. The Restless Coast is a moving and beautiful account of a journey around it, during which the author travels its length to discover its challenges and opportunities, and to talk to the people trying to protect it. At once informative, angry and funny, The Restless Coast is a very personal love letter to our island edge. Read more
- Historical Fiction
The Death of Shame
Internationally bestselling and multi-award-winning author, Chris Brookmyre, and consultant anaesthetist, Dr Marisa Haetzman are husband and wife creative duo – Ambrose Parry. Joining us to discuss the fifth and final instalment in their thrilling Raven and Fisher series, The Death of Shame is inspired by the fascinating historical facts Haetzman uncovered through her master’s degree in the History of Medicine. Read more
- Biography
Her Lotus Year
New York Times bestselling author, Paul French who specialises in the history of 20th century China, joins us to examine a controversial and revealing period in the early life of the legendary Wallis Simpson. French will reveal the untold story of what really happened to Wallis during that year in China, dispelling many of the myths and gossip surrounding it. Read more
- Historical Fiction
Traitor’s Legacy
estselling author of the Giordano Bruno books, S. J. Parris will be joining us to discuss her latest book, Traitor’s Legacy. England, 1598. Queen Elizabeth’s successor remains unnamed. The country teeters on a knife edge. A young heiress is found murdered at the theatre. A page-turning new historical series that pitches Tudor secret agent Sophia de Wolfe into a dangerous game with the royal court. Read more
- Biography
Queen James
Historian and broadcaster, Gareth Russell, will explore the life and loves of Britain’s first King. James Stuart did not always love wisely, but he never failed to do so boldly. This groundbreaking book puts James – genius, liar, spendthrift, idealist, witch-hunter – and the men he loved at the centre of one of the most dramatic stories in British royal history. Read more