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By William Sutton
Portsmouth Bookfest is a must for writers as well as readers, with 2026’s National Year of Reading, #InOurWords and #Portsmouth100 celebrations.
Sherlock Faces the Music, with HolmesFest duo Hudson & Lestrade, will delight music aficionados. The Tides of Time’s three acclaimed authors take literary voyages steeped in salt and sea-spray. History readers can choose between Untold Railway Stories and 50 Years of Punk – The Stiff Records Story.
Pompey Poetry Party bring three brilliant events to life — a gothic-inspired Character Creation Workshop with Holly Kybett Smith, a high-energy Poetry Slam Workshop with Bash Amuneni and Lit and Twisted: Open Mic Night of Quirky Words & Playful Plotlines. “Portsmouth is such a vibrant, culturally rich city,” says Caroline Brennan. “We’re proud to celebrate its creativity and community through poetry and performance.”
William Sutton’s Write Your Novel classes help local writers towards creating their stories. “The Theatre Royal workshop was incredible,” said one writer. “So many ideas – really spurred me on.” Kettle Tales and Writing for Wellbeing bring WiP2’s friendly, welcoming workshops to Cosham and Buckland.
Maggie Sawkins hosts a popular event in its sixth year: “From the Heart invites people from all walks of life to learn a poem by heart,” says Maggie, “and recite it in front of an audience. You don’t need to be a poet or writer. It’s always a heart-warming event.” Maggie also joins Poet Laureate Simon Armitage in a sold-out reading.
Bookfest opens with Children’s Week on 16 February, bringing puppets, Gruffalo, sea creatures and magic shields. It closes a month later with Seawords Scribbling Social, free, at Coffee@thePier, and a Writing Retreat at Victoria Park’s Greenhouse. “Incredibly helpful to have such a supportive space,” wrote one writer. “Motivating and encouraging.”
Find out more about Portsmouth Bookfest here.
Posted in: Art & Culture, Events, Local & Community
