Margate Bookie returns with star-studded line-up and new venues
The stellar line-up includes Deborah Levy, Adam Kay and A.C. Grayling, alongside an exciting new venue partnership
Adam Kay author of ‘This Is Going To Hurt’ (Image by Charlie Clift)
A source of inspiration to artists and writers including J.M.W. Turner, Tracey Emin, T.S. Elliott and Graham Swift, Margate is home of the friendliest lit fest by the sea, the Margate Bookie.
Now in its eighth year, Margate Bookie (@margatebookie) will take place from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd October with an invigorating line-up to refresh your senses and recharge your mind.
It features poetry and music, comedy and art, politics and fiction and an extensive fun-packed children’s programme.
Including a new venue partnership with Dreamland, alongside long-standing venue partners the Turner Contemporary Gallery and The Margate School, the programme features creative writing workshops and a poetry slam headlined by UK Poetry Slam champion Rick Dove.
Rosie WIlby (Image by Ben Bowles)
Perfectly timed for October half-term, the Bookie children’s programme is jam-packed with brilliant authors to keep kids of all ages entertained. Adam Kay and fellow comedian and illustrator Henry Paker will be tickling funny bones on Saturday, while Sathnam Sanghera kickstarts Sunday with his family-friendly adaptation, Stolen History, taking kids on an illuminating tour of the hidden secrets of the British Empire.
Kids’ authors include Roopa Farooki (Double Detectives), Garry Parsons (The Dinosaur that Pooped a Planet), Paul Deslandes (The Garden Monster), John Condon (The Pirates are Coming), Gianna Pollero (Monster Doughnuts), Anna Orenstein (The Tree of Hope) and many more. Mr Gilbert Giggles (Master of Disaster) is the special MC.
Daisy Buchanan (centre)
Other highlights include:
Let’s Talk Art with Robert Diamant, director of the Carl Freedman Gallery and Counter Editions and co-host (alongside Russell Tovey) of the UK’s leading art podcast Talk Art.
Franny Moyle on The Extraordinary Life and Momentous Times of J.M.W. Turner at the Turner Contemporary Gallery.
Award-winning journalist and author Daisy Buchanan chats with actor, writer and comedian Andi Osho (Asking for a Friend, Tough Crowd) for a live recording of the much-loved You’re Booked podcast.
Mat Osman (The Ghost Theatre and Suede bassist) joins former Lush frontwoman and author of Music Book of the Year Fingers Crossed: How Music Saved Me from Success and Miki Berenyi to talk Britpop and more; there will also be a live set from the Miki Berenyi Trio.
Italian singer-songwriter and novelist Erica Mou (Thirsty Sea) joins author and art critic Chloe Ashby (Wet Paint, Second Self) in exploring women’s place in the world in words and music.
Multi-award-winning journalist and author Yomi Adegoke (Slay in Your Lane, The List) joins Laura Kay (The Split) to discuss Alternative Romance and the cool rebirth of the modern romcom.
Discover the literary stars of tomorrow with the Faber & Faber Academy, Vanguard Readings and contributors to the 14 Anthology as part of Margate Bookie’s commitment to supporting authors at all stages of their career.
Live podcasts with special guests Lucy Vine, Olivia Petter and Zahra Barri with Rosie Wilby (The Breakup Monologues) and visual storyteller Karrie Fransman with Miriam Robinson (The Unlived Life).
The Bookie is supported by local booksellers Moon Lane Books, Book Bodega and Seadog Books from Ramsgate and Westgate’s Books That Expand The Mind.
