Big Names Arrive in Hastings as Book Festival Gets Underway

The Hastings Book Festival is back for its ninth year, with a packed programme of talks, performances, workshops and family events taking place across the town until Sunday 20 September.

Around 40 events featuring more than 80 speakers and performers are included in this year's programme, making it one of the biggest editions of the festival so far.

Among the headline guests is historian, broadcaster and author David Olusoga, who appears at Studio 27 at the White Rock Theatre on Friday evening.

International bestselling novelist Kate Mosse will bring the festival to a

close on Sunday 20 September at the Observer Building, where she will discuss her new novel Autumn.

Poetry also plays a major part in this year's programme, with veteran poet Roger McGough among those appearing in Hastings. Comedian, broadcaster and writer Robin Ince is also taking part.

This weekend will see the Observer Building become one of the main centres of activity.

On Saturday, the Hastings Book Fair will bring together around 30 independent publishers and presses, alongside local writers, poets and artists.

The fair runs from 11am until 4.30pm and is free to enter, with activities for younger visitors also planned.

Elsewhere across the festival, visitors can take part in writing workshops, poetry performances, open-mic events and discussions covering everything from getting published to local history.

Hastings itself will also feature prominently.

A special event exploring 1066, the land, sea and language of the area is included in the programme, while new research surrounding the Battle of Hastings will feature during a Norman Conquest double bill.

Events are being staged at several venues around Hastings and St Leonards, with the Observer Building acting as the festival's main hub during the weekends.

The festival continues until Sunday 20 September, when a programme of local writers and speakers will lead up to the closing appearance by Kate Mosse.

With literature, history, comedy, poetry and live performance all on the programme, organisers are hoping this year's festival will attract both local residents and visitors to Hastings over the next ten days.

Hastings Book Festival runs until Sunday 20 September at venues across Hastings and St Leonards.