Nottingham Book Festival 2026 is coming to Broadway Cinema

Saturday 5th September 2026 promises to be a stellar day for book lovers. A selection of our best-known local authors all in one place, giving talks, readings and workshops. Alongside this, stalls are selling a wide range of books and merchandise, as well as opportunities for one-to-one sessions with a literary agent and a publisher.

So why have a book festival in Nottingham? LeftLion asked some of the authors involved. 

Award-winning Stephen Booth, whose bestselling crime sagas have transitioned onto the TV screen, told us: "A book festival acts as a creative heart for a city like Nottingham, uniting the community to share inspiration, ideas and opportunities. When readers and writers come together, it generates so much excitement - and lots of fun!"

Short-story writer France Thimann agreed. “Revisiting Nottingham’s great literary heritage helps bring a sense of optimism and morale at a time when the city is at a low ebb, financially and socially.”

And Moira Hodgkinson, who writes on paganism and witchcraft, added: “The festival can bring readers and writers together, forming long-lasting contacts in Nottingham and increasing visibility for our region’s diverse books.” 

Among the authors speaking is Elizabeth Chadwick. Named by the Historical Novel Society as “the best writer of medieval fiction currently around” she turned Sean Connery and Richard Gere’s movie First Knight into just one of her many bestselling books. For theatregoers, playwright William Ivory is popping in. Ivory’s latest play, The Market Deeping Model Railway Club, premiered last month to high acclaim at the Nottingham Playhouse. And the panels are in good hands with former BBC presenter John Holmes, stepping into MC for the day.

Bookworms can do more than just browse the latest titles. Festival Organiser Jae Malone explains how this is also a good networking event: “The festival links with Bromley House Library, Nottingham Writers Studio, Writing East Midlands, not to mention Broadway Cinema.” 

For those interested in the craft of writing themselves, authors Eve Makis and Tony Cropper are running their popular workshop for turning your memories into memoir. Meanwhile, Sneinton writer Ian C. Douglas is running a session on creating compelling characters for your fiction. Both workshops last forty-five minutes.   

But what is the origin story for the Festival itself? The seed germinated in the monthly meetings of the East Midlands Society of Authors, the organisation behind the successful talks at Nottingham’s impressive new Central Library.

Crime Writer Mark Eklid explains, “The city has been crying out for a regular festival for too long. It would be great if this festival grows to fill that gap.” A steering committee was formed, with hopes and dreams transforming into targets and deadlines. A grant from The National Lottery Fund, plus sponsorship from local businesses, made it all possible. 

Since then, the organisers have been incredibly busy, with support from Broadway Cinema, getting everything and everyone where they need to be on the day. But the icing on the cake? Broadway’s wonderful café will be open and serving. (You can also see a movie while you’re there!)

But in between books and tasty bites, the Festival is giving back. Two charities are supported by the event. Phenomenal Futures helps Nottingham people affected by domestic abuse. While the Children’s Bereavement Centre works with grieving children, young people and parents. 

Admission to the Festival is free. However, for some events there is a small charge. Please visit the festival’s website to book tickets.

The Nottingham Book Festival is on Saturday 5th September 2026 from 11.00am to 05.30pm. The venue is at Broadway Cinema on 14-18 Broad Street, Nottingham, NG1 3AL.

nottinghambookfestival.org