Step into the joyfully off-kilter world of Eley Williams, one of the most original voices in contemporary fiction, as she discusses her latest collection, Moderate to Poor, Occasionally Good – a whip-smart, warm-hearted exploration of language in all its slippery glory.
She’ll be in conversation with Abigail Parry, a TS Eliot-nominated poet whose collections Jinx and I Think We’re Alone Now have marked her as one of poetry’s boldest experimenters. With a background in both academia and game design, Parry’s work is known for its intellectual agility, dark humour and linguistic sparkle.
Together, they’ll dive into the mechanics and music of language, the delights of constraint and surprise, and the ways in which stories – and sentences – can trip us up and carry us away. Expect a fast-paced, funny, and mind-stretching hour from two writers at the very top of their game.
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Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.
We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.
And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.
There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.
We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.
We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year’s festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.