Deptford Literature Festival, London’s unique, locally inspired festival, returns with an energising new programme connecting, supporting and celebrating through sharing stories
Celebrating the creativity and diversity of Deptford and Lewisham through stories, words and performance, Deptford Literature Festival announces its programme for its fifth festival. Discussions, interactive talks, workshops and spoken word performances are presented by the established and emerging voices of Lewisham and South East London writers and beyond, including Sarah Howe, Jimi Famurewa, Leone Ross and Francis Spufford. Highlights include Borough of Literature Local Writers’ Connect, South London in Fiction and Navigating Culture: Black Male Writers on Britain Today.
Over 30 events will be hosted, including special programme sessions for children and young people, Lewisham Borough of Literature events for local writers and young people and a salon presented by CRIPtic Arts. Events are in person and online, and key events will have BSL interpretation. Deptford Literature Festival is produced by London Writers Centre (formerly Spread the Word) and creative producer Tom MacAndrew. It is supported by the Albany, Deptford Lounge and Lewisham Libraries.
Deptford Literature Festival takes over Deptford Lounge on Saturday 28 March with a programme of over 30 events featuring interactive talks, workshops, readings and spoken word performances. Workshops are open to writers with different levels of experience, from regular writers to complete beginners.
A series of FREE events will take place in the lead up to the festival with Lewisham Libraries, including Poetry in the Library with Fathima Zahra and Jack Underwood; Lewisham Writes workshops with Erica Hesketh; and a spoken word open mic session ‘Lewisham Libraries Celebrates Local Writers’. In addition, on Weds 25 March at Goldsmiths, the Goldsmiths Prize will host an in conversation with award winning translator and novelist Kate Briggs.
Events at Deptford Lounge include
‘South London in Fiction’ presents a discussion between writers Orlaine McDonald, Lisa Smith, and Francis Spufford with Rachael Allen on how South London has inspired and shaped their novels. In partnership with Goldsmiths Writers’ Centre. BSL Interpreted.
Saturday 28 March events:
Writer and broadcaster Natty Kasambala brings together three dynamic voices to chat about ‘Navigating Culture: Black Male Writers on Britain Today’. Writers Jimi Famurewa, Derek Owusu and Aniefiok Ekpoudom discuss what it means to build a life as a Black male writer in Britain today and navigate a creative career in the contemporary British cultural landscape. BSL interpreted.
‘Mother Tongue: Poetry, Family + Inheritance’ with poets Sarah Howe, Erica Hesketh and Karen Downs-Barton, hosted by April Yee, explores themes of matrilineage and family. They will be reading and reflecting on their latest poetry collections through the lens of motherhood. BSL Interpreted.
Jarred McGinnis, Joe Dunthorne and guests will be ‘Exploring family, relationships and love’ in a wide-ranging and engaging conversation exploring masculinity, care and love, drawing on their own work.
Children and young people’s programme, Deptford Lounge
‘Putting it in a Letter’ with poet and author Stephen Lightbown, where 8 to 11 year olds can discover how to create amazing poems by writing themselves letters.
‘How to Tame a Mummy Monster’ is for 4 to 6 year olds, an interactive story time with author-illustrator Rochelle Falconer. A word and drawing session inspired by her book How to Tame a Mummy Monster.
Storytelling company Weird Folk present ‘The Marvellous Myth Hunter’, an interactive storytelling show for 6 to 12 year olds, that grounds global myths in the history of Deptford Market. It includes writing stories and crafting unique, magical artefacts from recycled materials.
In an interactive session, ‘Writing Comedy’, Nathanael Lessore explores identity, internet personas, and the power of comedy in teen fiction for ages 12 plus. For aspiring writers and readers with insight and practical advice on writing. A parent or carer must accompany all children attending these events.
Borough of Literature events, Deptford Lounge
Local writer Tutku Barbaros hosts ‘Lewisham Writers’ Link Up’ A dynamic, writer-focused event to connect, support, and inspire writers, which includes an open industry clinic.
A showcase of poetry, storytelling and dialogue in celebration of the Mouth Mek Fi Nyam Windrush Project features readings and discussion from acclaimed writers and scholars, including Leone Ross, Joan Anim-Addo, Marl’Ene Edwin, Yvonne Robinson, Jacqueline Codrington, Jean Dowling, Laura Annansingh and the Caribbean elders who took part in the project.
Emerging Poets share their voices through live readings that span personal stories, social reflections, and bold creative expressions at the Poetics Lab Anthology Showcase. Featuring young creatives from Lewisham, Bromley, Greenwich and Southwark, this is for poetry lovers and curious creatives.
CRIPtic Arts presents an online salon at the festival
Poet and founder Jamie Hale, with acclaimed artist and writer Abi Palmer, create a special festival edition of the CRIPtic x London Writers Centre Salon. An imaginative workshop creates an open and accessible space where disabled writers can explore what a genuinely sustainable creative life looks like for them. As a finale, Abi Palmer will be reading her work before opening up the virtual floor to the audience for an open mic.
In the Festival Hub, Deptford Literature Festival writers and artists’ books will be available to buy from the festival bookseller, The Word bookshop, with opportunities for signings by featured festival authors. Other stalls will include local publishers and literature organisations, Lewisham Libraries and the Lewisham Borough of Literature Campaign.
Ruth Harrison, Director of London Writers Centre, said: “The festival, now in its fifth edition, has always been about sharing and hearing unheard and untold stories. In these challenging times we live in, the festival creates spaces to meet and have conversations, where writers and local people can feel part of a dynamic and interesting community. In its truest form, Deptford Literature Festival is there to challenge, celebrate and support new things being discovered and experienced, and that’s what we all get excited about.”
Tom MacAndrew, Creative Producer, says: “At its heart, Deptford Literature Festival is about celebrating the creativity that already exists within our neighbourhoods. Far from being distant or exclusive, literature is being written, shared and lived right here by local writers and communities. We’re incredibly proud to be working with such a diverse group of local authors, artists and partners to shape a programme that brings together established names, emerging talent and grassroots collaboration. We hope the festival offers moments of discovery, connection and joy, and invites everyone to share in the stories being created on their own doorstep.”
‘Deptford Literature Festival’ takes place all day on Saturday, 28 March. To find out more and book events, visit Londonwriterscentre.org.uk. Tickets are free for some events or £3.
