The Queen’s Park Book Festival is thrilled to reveal an exceptional line-up of authors for its 2026 – and final – edition, showcasing an assorted range of established and emerging talent to celebrate excellent writing in all forms.
In its ninth year, the festival hosts some of the most prestigious literary minds today, offering an exciting programme of events, speakers, guest writers and performers across the weekend of 5th September to 6th September in the picturesque surroundings of North London’s Queen’s Park.
Weekend events span topics from fiction and biography to current affairs, history and cookery – as well as family events for children.
Queen’s Park Book Festival Director Thomas du Plessis said: “On behalf of the Queen’s Park Book Festival team, we are immensely proud of what we have achieved and to have built such a brilliant and supportive local literary community. After nine wonderful years, we have decided to end on a high – I am delighted to share this year’s line-up, ranging from familiar literary greats to new, emerging voices. It has been a fantastic experience to be a part of this and we look forward to celebrating the written word in Queen’s Park, one last time.”
The festival is delighted to welcome master storyteller Philip Pullman to speak about the epic conclusion to Lyra Silvertongue’s story. The Rose Field: The Book of Dust Volume Three is the highly anticipated culmination of the cultural phenomenon of The Book of Dust and His Dark Materials series, shortlisted for the British Book Awards’ Book of the Year and Audiobook of the Year, and recently published in paperback. Philip is in conversation with Claire Armitstead.
Highly decorated author Sebastian Barry is regarded as one of the foremost novelists of our time. He takes to the stage in an exclusive event to discuss his latest novel, The Newer World, with Alex Clark. This visceral novel follows what survives and what is lost in one man’s life in the aftermath of the American Civil War.
One of the most unique cultural artefacts in the world will return to the UK for the first time in 1,000 years. Chief curator of the upcoming Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum, Michael Lewis, shares special insights into this precious artefact and remarkable work of art with bestselling historian Marc Norris.
In his unconventional and enthralling new book, Tonight the Music Seems So Loud: The Meaning of George Michael, bestselling author and lifelong George Michael fan Sathnam Sanghera offers a portrait of one of the most beloved musicians while exploring the connection between music and politics.
Award winning broadcaster Iain Dale shares a raw and refreshingly honest account of his life and career in business, politics and media in his autobiography, Have I Said Too Much? Accompanied on stage with broadcaster Georgina Godwin, he tells his story with the same raw candour that captivates his dedicated listenership.
Some other stand-out events include Dr Saira Hameed, one of the UK’s leading endocrinologists in a fascinating discussion with BBC Health Editor Hugh Pym for a look into the spectacular endocrine life forces at work discussed in Signals: The inside Story of our Hormones. Natasha Walter presents a timely exploration of how women can defend their rights and freedoms in her new and urgent book Feminism for a World on Fire. An ode to the essential and revolutionary tool that made writing possible, bestselling author Simon Garfield tells a lively, idiosyncratic history of the pen in The Pen: A Human History. Bringing their culinary expertise to Queen’s Park, Honey & Co.’s founders Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer discuss their award-winning cookbook with Jo Pratt, and acclaimed chef Theo Randall celebrates the food of Italy in The Italian Table.
Family fun features bestselling and beloved children’s author, Jacqueline Wilson sharing her forthcoming book, Esme Pepper; award-winning author and illustrator Rob Biddulph; and Curtis Jobling, creator of the action-packed Vampire Empire: Red Tide series.
The festival’s unique Queen’s Park Community Tent, free to all, is wholly dedicated to nurturing local talent, supporting local artists and partnering with local charities. Kicking off the Community Tent on Saturday is award-winning travel writer Monisha Rajesh dives into her book Around the World in 80 Trains with Chrys Salt MBE. Caroline Smith and Mary Mulholland sit down with Jill Abram to explore motherhood, ageing, dementia and the enduring ties between parents and children. Award-winning explorer, author and Queen’s Park local Charlie Walker discusses journeys to the world’s extremes with the acclaimed travel writer Ash Bhardwaj. Closing the Community Tent on Saturday is BAFTA-winning writer and poet Dean Atta with broadcaster and presenter Jojo Silva as they explore masculinity, belonging, and queer identity.
On Sunday, Helen Delany of Electronic Sheep, London College of Fashion lecturer Agnès Rocamora, and Kilburn chronicler John Morrison explore the influences that have shaped Kilburn’s unique street style. Lily Silverton, author of Prioritise This, joins fitness and wellbeing editor Emilie Lavinia and psychologist and bestselling author Shahroo Izadi to clarify our mindset and encourage us to focus on what truly matters. Next, local author Richard Tyrrell discusses his new book and other stories, with writer and actor Mike Simkins. Closing off a wonderful weekend in the Community Tent will be Lisa Harding and Anna Maconochie in conversation with Shyama Perera about celebrating women as they are.
Finally, the Queen’s Park Book Festival Comedy Night returns with a brilliant line-up featuring Dominic Holland, Samantha Day, and Rob Deering with MC Rich Wilson to close Saturday evening at the festival with side-splitting sets.
