London Festival of Writing
The London Festival of Writing 2024 is now sold out
Unfortunately, ticket sales for this year’s London Festival of Writing have now closed. Next year’s festival will be held on 28 & 29 June 2025. To be in with the chance of snatching up an earlybird ticket at a reduced price, register your interest here.
“It’s fair to say that I am a published author today because of the Festival of Writing” – Amanda Berriman
Since 2010, over three hundred writers per year have travelled to The Festival of Writing, which sees writers, literary agents and industry professionals gather from around the world for a weekend of writing workshops from bestselling authors, literary one-to-ones and more. Find out everything the festival has to offer this year by checking out our brochure.
A big “hello” from festival director Becca Day
Last year, we brought the Festival of Writing to London after 12 years of holding it in York. This year, we’re back in London, but bigger and better than ever before. With more workshops to choose from, more opportunities for networking, a fabulous gala dinner and a glitzy venue to add the WOW factor that the festival deserves, you’re in for a real treat.
The Location
Our venue is the stunning Leonardo Royal Tower Bridge Hotel, London. While the festival will still be non-residential, the hotel has offered 50 rooms at a reduced rate, so if you’d like to stay on site you’re best to get your booking in nice and early. There are also options such as a Travelodge and Premier Inn that are just across the street from the hotel, making it the perfect easy-to-access location.
Where writing careers are born
“I’m excited BEYOND BELIEF to announce that I am now rep’ed by the wonderful Kiya Evans at the incredible Mushens Entertainment. I first met with Kiya at the Jericho Writers Festival of Writing at the end of last year, and it was a real turning point in my writing and querying journey.”
– Rebecca Lewis Smith
Friday Night Live: The Highlight of the Festival!
This incredible, career-launching competition sees eight finalists take the festival stage to read live in front of a panel of literary agents and their fellow festival attendees.
Congratulations to our 2024 finalists
Eight Friday Night Live finalists read their work to an audience of 300 writers and a panel of six agents in June this year. Our winner, by audience vote, was Kate Sheehan-Finn with ‘Manumission’. Join us in 2025 to be in with a chance to take part in the next competition!
Our Friday Night Live 2024 Shortlist
Though they did not make the finals, our team really loved the work submitted by these 16 writers who we had on our Friday Night Live 2024 shortlist. Congratulations to them.
Meet the 2024 Friday Night Live Agent Panel
These agents gave every finalist on-the-spot feedback on what’s working for them, and what’s not. As well as the writers on-stage, our audience members gained valuable insight into what agents really think…
Are you a low-income or Black writer?
You could be eligible for a bursary. Take a look at our bursary schemes here.
Saturday 29 June Workshops
Take a look up at the incredible and varied line-up of experts who joined us on Saturday for the 2024 festival.
Sunday 30 June Workshops
Take a look up at the incredible and varied line-up of experts who joined us on Sunday for the 2024 festival.
Download the London Festival of Writing 2024 Brochure to discover more about our incredible lineup
What’s included in your ticket?
Workshops with best-selling authors
Meet other writers
Food & drink
Competition entries
Planning your festival weekend
Our London Festival of Writing venue, the stunning Leonardo Royal Tower Bridge Hotel, is accessible by major travel networks and within reach of a range of amenities.
ProWritingAid: Sponsors of the London Festival of Writing 2024
ProWritingAid is the writing and editing companion that helps you bring your stories to life. With detailed analysis and targeted advice, it helps polish your prose, banish mistakes and captivate your reader as you take them on your journey. Wherever you write, ProWritingAid will inspire you to unlock your full potential.
Dabble: Sponsors of the London Festival of Writing 2024
Dabble is the go-to platform for writers aiming to plot expertly, write swiftly, and edit ruthlessly. We keep your work organized and accessible across all devices, online or offline, with always-on autosave for peace of mind. Dabble simplifies your creative process, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: your writing.
Troubador Publishing: Sponsors of the London Festival of Writing 2024
Troubador has a proud history of helping authors bring their books to life using our self-publishing services. Our expertise and range of services are unmatched in the self-publishing industry. We provide self-publishing services for authors who are dedicated to publishing quality books alongside a high level of customer service. Our team of experts is on hand to work with our authors to help them achieve their self-publishing goals.
Frequently asked
questions
Where can I find the terms and conditions of booking?
You can find our full terms and conditions for the Festival here.
Where exactly is the Festival of Writing?
It will be held in London at the Leonardo Royal Tower Bridge Hotel. The address is: Leonardo Royal Tower Bridge Hotel, 45 Prescot Street, London E1 8GP.
Is there parking on-site?
There is on-street parking available outside Leonardo Royal London Tower Bridge (parking meter charges apply). The nearest car park is the Minories car park located on 1 Shorter Street E1 8LP, which has 401 car park spaces. Please telephone 020 7481 3153 for details of current parking charges, or visit http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/ for more parking locations.
What public transport can I get there?
The closest stations are Tower Hill Underground Station, Tower Gateway DLR Station and Fenchurch Street Rail. It’s about a five-ten minute walk from each of these stations to the venue.
Can you recommend accommodation nearby?
Please remember, it’s your responsibility to arrange accommodation if needed. We have reserved fifty rooms at the venue for festival delegates at a discounted rate on Saturday, June 29. These rooms are priced at £319 per night (+£20 surcharge for double occupancy). Get in touch for the discount code.
Keep in mind, any accommodation issues should be addressed directly with the hotel, as we are not responsible for any problems.
If you prefer a different hotel, there are numerous options nearby.
When should I plan to arrive at the Festival of Writing 2024?
We always recommend giving yourself plenty of time to arrive in case of any delays. For Saturday arrivals, registration is from 8.30am to 9.30am, with the opening keynote beginning at 9.45am. Registration on Sunday is from 9.00am to 9.30am.
From the hotel main entrance, please follow the signs downstairs to the registration desks (there is a lift for those with accessibility needs). You’ll be greeted by Jericho Writers staff who will issue you a name badge and give you a programme.
Can I arrive late? (for example, my train only arrives in London at 10:00)
Yes, of course, but please arrive at sessions quietly and respectfully.
What can I do with my luggage?
If you are staying at the hotel, you are encouraged to check-in early so that you can drop your luggage in your room. If this is not possible, there will be an un-manned cloakroom that can store your bags until your room is available. If you are staying at a hotel nearby overnight it is ideal to drop off your luggage where you are staying prior to the festival, but again you are welcome to use the un-manned cloakroom if that is not possible. All luggage is left at your own risk and we cannot be held liable for any missing or damaged possessions.
I have access needs. Can these be accommodated?
There is a wheelchair-friendly lift that is designated specifically for festival attendees (general hotel guests are not permitted to use it) and we will be advising all attendees to allow those with accessibility needs to use the lift first.
Leonardo Royal Tower Bridge Hotel is highly experienced at running large, complex events. If you have particular concerns, please mention them when prompted when booking your workshops and sessions. The hotel will be made aware of these in advance and will do their best to accommodate you.
What kind of food is offered over the weekend?
Every day you attend the festival, you will be provided with a two-course buffet lunch, plus teas, coffees and snacks at regular intervals throughout the day. If you are a Saturday or Weekend ticket holder, you will also have a sit-down gala dinner on Saturday evening. You’ll be able to let us know about any dietary requirements when you come to book your sessions. Please note that dietary requirements must be entered by 31 May.
Are the gala dinner and evening drinks on site?
Yes, you don’t need to leave the festival venue to attend the Saturday evening gala dinner or drinks. There will, however, be an hour break in which you are welcome to leave the venue to get changed or freshen up.
Will Friday Night Live happen?
Yes – the only difference is that it’s happening on a Saturday. Entries will be open from 10:00BST on 1 May, and close to submissions 16:00 BST on Friday 14 June. We will email all ticket holders with more information when we open to entries.
I’m only coming on Sunday, can I still enter Friday Night Live?
Unfortunately, only Saturday and Weekend ticket holders can enter Friday Night Live. If you’d like to upgrade from a Sunday ticket to a Weekend ticket, please reach out to us.
What do I need to bring with me?
Something to take notes on, a bottle for water, and perhaps some snacks if you know you need extra sustenance during the day! While the cost of lunch, tea, coffee, snacks and (for Saturday or Weekend ticket holders) the gala dinner are all covered by your ticket, you will need to bring money if you would like to buy anything from the hotel bar through the day.
How do I book an agent one-to-one at the Festival?
One-to-ones are included in your ticket. Weekend ticket holders will receive two sessions, while day ticket holders will receive one. We will email you once the booking system is open (towards the end of March). Please note, once you have chosen your one-to-ones, your choice is final. If a session is greyed out, it is unavailable for booking and you will need to select a different agent and/or time slot.
Can I only book one Festival agent one-to-one session?
It depends on your ticket type. Full weekend ticket holders are entitled to two one-to-one sessions, whereas day tickets entitle you to one session.
How do I make sure I can attend the workshops and mini-courses I’d like to?
We will email you once the booking system is open. You will be able to book your place at workshops and mini-courses at the same time as you book your one-to-one sessions.
Will the talks be recorded?
They will not be – make sure you go to the workshop or mini-course you most want to learn from.
How can I connect with other festival attendees ahead of time?
You can join in the conversation in our Townhouse forum here to plan accommodation and travel, and to chat all things festival! We’re also going to be organising a series of Zoom ‘mixers’, where you’ll be able to meet fellow writers in your genre, and a pre-festival Zoom call where you’ll be able to ask any questions and meet other attendees.
What should I upload for my agent/book doctor session?
For an Agent One-to-One, you will need to upload the first 5000 words of your manuscript, a synopsis, and a query letter as Word (.doc or .docx) documents. We recommend addressing and personalising the query letter to the agent you are speaking to.
For a session with book doctor Natali Simmonds, you will need to upload the first 5000 words of your manuscript, a synopsis, and a cover letter detailing any specific questions you would like Natali to address.
For a session with self-publishing guru Debbie Young, please complete and upload this questionnaire addressing topics such as your writing, online presence and interest in self-publishing. While all of these questions are optional, they will help Debbie to prepare your session. You may also submit a cover letter (in the same document as your questionnaire), a synopsis and the first 5000 words of your manuscript.
For a session with mindset coach Zoe Richards, please upload a cover letter (maximum 1 page) about you, your writing, and what issues you are encountering. You should include in your cover letter one question that you would like to work through during the session (e.g.: how can I create habits that stick, what can I do to overcome my writer’s block, how can I reboot my writing, what can I do about my negative self-talk, or anything else that might help you as a writer).
All documents can be uploaded via your itinerary after you confirm your agent/book doctor session selections. If you are attending the full weekend and have two sessions booked, you will need to upload your files for each of the sessions separately. If you would like to edit your documents, you can reupload them from your itinerary. The deadline for final uploads is Friday 14 June, 4pm BST for all agent and book doctor sessions, though we will be available until 5pm BST to support with any last-minute technical issues.