WHAT'S ON
1-11 OCTOBER 2026
Eleven days.
Countless stories.
One unforgettable festival.
THURSDAY
1 October
7.30–9pm
Join us on National Poetry Day as we celebrate the talented poets who entered the inaugural Maidstone LitFest Poetry Competition.
FRIDAY
2 October
Doing it for the Plot
7–8pm
Join award-winning author, journalist and influencer Stephanie Yeboah for an evening of laughter, romance and behind-the-scenes stories as she chats to journalist and magazine editor Meena Alexander about her irresistible new romcom, Doing It for the Plot.
Have I Said Too Much?
7–8pm
Join one of Britain's best-known political broadcasters for an entertaining and insightful evening as Iain Dale discusses his latest book, Have I Said Too Much?, in conversation with broadcaster and author Dr Sian Williams.
SATURDAY
3 October
Grandma Georgia's Amazing Handbag
10.30–11.30am
What would you do if you discovered that your grandma’s sparkly blue handbag was actually a magical world?
Self-Publishing: A Beginner's Guide
11am–12pm
Thinking of self-publishing but not sure where to start? Or already on your publishing journey and wondering if you're heading in the right direction?
One-to-one with a literary agent
1.30–2.30pm
Individual 10-minute slots are available for booking with children's fiction agent Enrichetta Frezzato.
The Warrior
Walker
4–5pm
A former Royal Marine, Paul’s life took an extraordinary turn when, at his lowest point, he set out to walk the entire UK coastline with just £300 and a 30kg rucksack.
The Gnome with No Name
11am–12pm & 3–4pm
Leeds Castle Pre-Loved Bookshop
Join author Katie Ford for a heartwarming story-time inspired by The Gnome with No Name.
Red Kite Literary
12.30–1.15pm
Advice, knowledge and expert guidance for aspiring authors.
One-to-one with a literary agent
1.30–2.30pm
Individual 10-minute slots are available for booking with adult fiction agent Georgina Simmonds.
The Last Page Café
7–8pm
Join bestselling author Kate Storey in conversation with Helen Bell as she celebrates her uplifting new novel, The Last Page Café.
SUNDAY
4 October
Story Time with Stuart Heritage
10–11am
Join journalist and author Stuart Heritage, for an event filled to the brim with humour and fun.
Where Magic
Grows
11am–12pm
Have you heard of the tiger with no tail? Or of the extra-specially-super-deliciously-fantastically naughty boy who got a frog stuck in his throat? No? Well, tuck yourself in, and let Onjali Raúf entertain you with her first collection of never-before-told fables of magic and mischief…
10 YEARS OF ISADORA MOON!
1–2pm
Harriet Muncaster is coming to Maidstone! Join the bestselling children's author and illustrator as we celebrate 10 magical years of Isadora Moon! Discover how everyone's favourite half-vampire, half-fairy came to life, hear stories from behind the scenes and celebrate a decade of one of children's most beloved characters.
Postman Planet: The Big Stink
2.30–3.30pm
Get ready for lots of laughs with bestselling children's author Ben Davis as he talks about his hilarious series, Postman Planet.
And Then We Screamed
4.30–5.30pm
Inspired by real stories of social contagions, mass psychogenic illness, and the theories behind them, plus the rise of "scream clubs",
Write Your Own WhoDunnit!
10–11am
Calling all budding detectives and storytellers! Join multi-award-winning author Lucy Strange for an exciting creative writing workshop inspired by her brand-new mystery, Murder on a Midsummer Night.
The Far-Out Five: Portal Loo Panic
11.30am–12.30pm
Get ready for an action-packed event full of laughs, drawing and gloriously silly fun! Join award-winning comedian, author and illustrator Olaf Falafel for an interactive workshop inspired by his hilarious Far-Out Five graphic novel series.
Bím Blake's Hot Takes
1–2pm
Meet bestselling author Tọlá Okogwu, as she introduces her brand-new series, Bím Blake's Hot Takes.
From Sketchbook to Story with Jamie Littler
2.30–3.30pm
Learn to draw one of Jamie's favourite characters, help create a brand-new adventure live on stage and work together to invent a completely original hero using your own imaginative ideas.
MONDAY
5 October
Archives Unlocked Talk (Limited to 40 spaces)
2–2.45pm
Archivist Mark Bateson introduces the historic collections in the care of the Kent Archives and Local History Service and shares some of the weird and wonderful real-life stories they contain.
Acting Can Be
Murder
6.30–7.30pm
Join award-winning crime writer and actress Linda Regan for a riotously funny journey through her life on stage and screen, and discover how working with certain people inspired her unexpected leap into crime writing. Packed with behind-the-scenes stories, laughter and larger-than-life characters, this is an event not to be missed.
Tour of the Archives (Limited to 12 spaces)
3–4pm
Enjoy this exclusive small-group tour of the backstage areas of the Archives. Places on the tour are strictly limited, and will need to be booked separately to the talk.
The Supermarket Wine Guide
7.30–9pm
TV wine expert Helen McGinn reveals the secrets to choosing brilliant supermarket wines.
TUESDAY
6 October
8–9.15pm
Broadcaster Dr Sian Williams joins BBC South East’s Ellie Crisell to challenge everything you thought you knew about anxiety in a fascinating conversation inspired by her Sunday Times bestseller The Power of Anxiety.
WEDNESDAY
7 October
GILES WHITEHEAD
Cabinet of Voices
3.30–5pm
Maidstone Museum
Discover the hidden stories behind Maidstone Museum's collections in this unique community exhibition.
The Night Stairs
7.30–8.30pm
Join bestselling thriller author Erin Kelly as she discusses her gripping new novel, The Night Stairs. Renowned for her expertly crafted psychological suspense, richly layered characters and unsettling twists, Erin has established herself as one of Britain's leading crime and thriller writers.
Maidstone's Dark History
7–8pm
Discover the hidden stories behind Maidstone Museum's collections in this unique community exhibition.
THURSDAY
8 October
Remembering Jacquetta
2–3.30pm
Uncover the Maidstone Connection to a Woman Who Shaped a Dynasty
The Man with the Golden Compass
7–8pm
Who is Q? Before Bond, there was the ingenious inventor whose gadgets changed espionage forever. Join bestselling crime writer Vaseem Khan in conversation with Adrian Wills for a thrilling evening celebrating his acclaimed Q novels, where real history, unforgettable characters and high-stakes intrigue combine in a dazzling reimagining of the world's most famous spy universe.
...in conversation
7–8pm
Join bestselling author Clare Chambers in conversation with Nicola Everett as they discuss her acclaimed novels, including the hugely successful Shy Creatures. Renowned for her beautifully observed characters and elegant storytelling, Clare creates richly atmospheric fiction that lingers long after the final page.
FRIDAY
9 October
Let the Bells Ring Out
7–8pm
Join Milly Johnson and author Lucy Strange for an evening celebrating Let the Bells Ring Out, Milly's irresistible new festive novel.
Science Fiction, Comics, and Shooty-Death-Kill-in-Space
7–8pm
Comic book writer Dan Abnett talks about his work for Marvel, DC Comics, 2000 AD, and the grim darkness of the Warhammer Universe, and answers (almost) any question you care to ask. A signing will follow the event.
SATURDAY
10 October
Puffy Puffs Up!
10.30–11.30am
Meet Puffy, a little pufferfish who struggles with strong emotions. She longs to make friends but whenever someone comes near, she PANICS, PUFFS UP and floats away!
The Castle of Stories
12–1pm
Join award-winning author Matt Cain in conversation with Hilary Steel as they discuss A Castle of Stories.
This Way Up: When Maps Go Wrong (and Why it Matters)
3.30–4.30pm
Join the brilliant minds behind the Map Men, for a hilarious look at cartography's biggest blunders.
Grandma Georgia's Amazing Handbag
11am–12pm & 3–4pm
Leeds Castle Pre-Loved Bookshop
What would you do if you discovered that your grandma’s sparkly blue handbag was actually a magical world?
White Spaces
2–3pm
Join author Elvin James Mensah as he discusses his powerful second novel, White Spaces, in conversation with bestselling author and broadcaster Matt Cain.
Suspense After Dark
7–10pm
As darkness falls, prepare for an evening of twists, secrets and psychological suspense with two of the UK's most celebrated crime writers.
SUNDAY
11 October
Thriller Writing Masterclass
10.30am–2.30pm
Bestselling thriller author and Curtis Brown Creative tutor, Holly Seddon, leads this exclusive half-day writing masterclass for aspiring novelists.
Poetry Workshop
3.30–4.30pm
Place, Ecopoetry and the Environment: Join poet Christopher Horton for an inspiring poetry workshop exploring the relationship between place, nature and creativity.
Little Spark
3–4pm
Join acclaimed author Jess Kidd in conversation with Gianna Pollero as they discuss her captivating new gothic mystery, Little Spark.
Jess Kidd, Michelle Paver, Bridget Collins
5–6pm
As darkness falls, step inside Maidstone's own haunted museum for a spine-tingling evening celebrating the genre of the ghost story with three masters of supernatural fiction.