South Hams Literary Festival - 2026 Date TBC

South Hams Literary Festival 2025 - join us for a wide range of events celebrating a diverse range of authors. The festival this year will consist of a series of smaller events throughout the year in Ivybridge, see below for details.

SOUTH HAMS LITERARY FESTIVAL 2025

WEDNESDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER          6.30 PM - 9 PM                               PRE-FESTIVAL WARM -UP

IVYBRIDGE BREWING COMPANY, TAPROOM 

5 LOCAL AUTHORS READING FROM THEIR OWN WORK, featuring DAVID SHARP, GILL MCEVOY, BIKU GHOSH, BRIAN SLOAN & LAURENCE SHELLEY

CRAFT ALES AND OTHER BEVERAGES ON SALE                                       FREE ENTRY

'ONCE UPON A DAY'

Saturday 4th October                                Events for all:

'MEET THE AUTHOR' mingle, with free cake!                From 10 am - 12.30 pm               Ivybridge Library, main area

Grab a beverage from the cafe and come and meet some local authors.  Just drop in!

Saturday 4th October                BOOK FAIR

From 1 pm - 3.30 pm   Chapel Place, Ivybridge                          

Stalls with lots of exciting new and second-hand books.

CHILDREN'S AREA with wish tree, shell decorating and 'Make Your Own Sticker Book.'     Sticker trail for children.

Raffle.      Refreshments available (proceeds to Ivybridge Community Association).          

Free entry, just turn up.                            No booking required.

'ONCE UPON A DAY' - SATURDAY 4TH OCTOBER                                                     TICKETED FREE EVENTS 

Saturday 4th October                               10 am - 11 am  Beacon Room, Ivybridge Library    

CRIME FICTION                             In Conversation: Killer Stories & Criminal Minds

A gripping dive into the darker corners of storytelling with authors who know how to plot the perfect crime. Exploring the motives, mysteries, and moral shades of crime fiction.  

Featured authors: Abigail Yardimci & Helena Dixon interviewed by Catherine Dodd

Limited spaces. Booking essential. Free tickets from Eventbrite

 Saturday 4th October                                             11.30 am - 12.30 pm                   Beacon Room, Ivybridge Library             

FANTASY                                          In Conversation: Beyond the Realms

Step into imagined worlds and fantastical journeys with masters of the genre. Explore realms of magic, myth, and boundless creativity in this conversation with fantasy storytellers.

Featured authors: Geoff Wilson & Susie Williamson interviewed by Catherine Dodd

Limited spaces. Booking essential. Free tickets from Eventbrite

Saturday 4th October                               1.30 pm - 2.30 pm         Hawthorn House, Ivybridge

WELLBEING/ PERSONAL MEMOIRS                                  In Conversation: The Story Within

Intimate reflections on life, healing, and what it means to be human. Authors share a deeply personal dialogue about growth, resilience, and the journeys that shape us.

Featured authors: Mary Elizabeth Earle & Kate Harris interviewed by Catherine Dodd

Limited spaces. Booking essential. Free tickets from Eventbrite

Saturday 4th October                               3 pm - 4 pm                     The Ivybridge Bookshop                              

HISTORICAL FICTION                                In Conversation: Voices from the Past

Unearthing untold histories through the lens of fiction and imagination. Authors uncover the truth within the fiction and reveal the inspiration behind their time-traveling tales.

Featured authors: J.H Mann & Jill McRae-Spencer interviewed by Catherine Dodd

Free entry, but booking is essential as spaces are limited.

To book, either email:  info@ivybridgebookshop.com

or book via Eventbrite

Saturday 4th October                11 am - 12.00                                 The Ivybridge Bookshop

FREE CHILDREN'S EVENT                       'Bosun Bob' with Erin Allgrove               

 Erin will be joining us for story time and drawing activities. Erin will inspire the children who come along to consider what kind of stories they would write about their pets or other animals they love and encourage them to have a go at designing their own book covers!  Pens, pencils and paper will be provided.

Children will have the chance to chat with Erin and she may also read some excerpts from the Bosun Bob books.

To book, email:

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SUNDAY 5TH OCTOBER                                           

6.30 pm - 9 pm                                             The Imperial, Ivybridge                            

'NEW VOICES': an open mic for debut and unpublished writers

Writers: email southhamsauthors@gmail.com to book a ten minute slot to read your work.

All welcome. Come along and listen! Just turn up.