{"id":70349,"date":"2025-10-10T17:01:23","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T17:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/70349\/"},"modified":"2025-10-10T17:01:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T17:01:23","slug":"liverpool-literary-festival-one-week-to-go-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/70349\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool Literary Festival: one week to go – News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t \"Liverpool \t <\/p>\n

There\u2019s just one week to go until the Liverpool Literary Festival 2025 begins \u2013 marking a major milestone as the University of Liverpool\u2019s much-loved celebration of books, ideas, and storytelling turns ten years old.<\/p>\n

Taking place from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 October 2025 at the University\u2019s Victoria Gallery & Museum, this year\u2019s Festival promises an unforgettable weekend featuring bestselling authors, inspiring new voices, and leading cultural figures in conversation.<\/p>\n

Among the standout names in this year\u2019s line-up are:<\/p>\n

Dorothy Koomson<\/a>, bestselling author of Give Him To Me, who will appear on Sunday 19 October at 2.30pm. Koomson will discuss her latest thriller and the theme of domestic abuse that runs through much of her work. With over 2.5 million UK sales, Koomson has been featured on the Powerlist as one of the most influential Black people in Britain and is a former Women\u2019s Prize judge.
\nHattie Williams<\/a>, musician-turned-publisher and debut novelist, joins the Festival on Sunday 19 October at 1pm to discuss her first novel Bitter Sweet \u2014 a story of power, control, and silence in relationships.
\nAdele Zeynep Walton<\/a>, journalist and author of Logging Off: The Human Cost of Our Digital World, will appear on Sunday 19 October at 11.30am. Walton will discuss her new book, which explores the impact of the digital world, in conversation with Dr Mark McGlashan.
\nSimon Hughes<\/a>, award-winning journalist and author, joins the Festival on Saturday 18 October at 11.30am to talk about his new book Chasing Salah \u2014 a biography of Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah. Hughes covers Merseyside football for The New York Times\u2019 The Athletic and has written several acclaimed books on the sport.<\/p>\n

Festival Director Professor Greg Lynall<\/a>, Head of English at the University of Liverpool, said: \u201cSince our inaugural Festival in 2016, we\u2019ve created an enduring cultural highlight in the University calendar. Over the last decade, we\u2019ve welcomed thousands of guests who\u2019ve had the chance to explore and deepen their love of literature.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year\u2019s programme continues our tradition of bringing together storytellers who offer rich insights into the world around us. The Festival promises to be one of our most exciting yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

From film and football to fiction and digital culture, the 2025 Festival offers a weekend packed with thought-provoking talks, readings, and discussion \u2013 and tickets are still available.<\/p>\n

Festivalgoers can book VIP weekend passes or individual event tickets to experience the best of this special anniversary edition.<\/p>\n

Book tickets here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Liverpool Literary Festival 2025: full line-up<\/p>\n

\"\"
Bestselling author Emma Jane Unsworth in conversation<\/a>
Friday 17 October, 6pm
\u00a312
BAFTA-nominated and BIFA-winning screenwriter Emma Jane Unsworth opens the Festival with her acclaimed new novel Slags, a Vogue \u2018Book of the Summer\u2019. A University of Liverpool alumna, Unsworth is known for Animals, The Outlaws, and The Buccaneers, and is currently developing Slags for TV. Emma will be in conversation with Dr Danny O\u2019Connor<\/a>, Colm T\u00f3ib\u00edn Lecturer in Creative Writing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

How do we write about the Climate Crisis? John Ironmonger discusses his new novel The Wager and the Bear<\/a>
Saturday 18 October, 10am
\u00a38
Author, zoologist and alumnus, John Ironmonger joins the Festival to discuss his latest novel The Wager and the Bear, a gripping tale of a dangerous bet and climate collapse.<\/p>\n

Best known for the international bestseller Not Forgetting the Whale, Ironmonger\u2019s work explores environmental themes. He\u2019ll be in conversation with Lecturer in English Language and Linguistics, Dr Jessica Hampton<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Simon Hughes: Chasing Salah \u2013 the biography<\/a>
Saturday 18 October, 11.30am
\u00a310
Simon Hughes is an award-winning journalist and author and covers Merseyside football for The New York Times\u2019 The Athletic.<\/p>\n

He joins this year\u2019s Festival to discuss his new book Chasing Salah, a definitive biography of Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah, the most famous Egyptian footballer in the history of the sport.<\/p>\n

His book Red Machine won the Antonio Ghirelli Prize for Italian Soccer Foreign Book of the Year 2014, and his other titles include Secret Diary of a Liverpool Scout, Men in White Suits and Ring of Fire. Hughes will be hosted by Professor Liz Crolley<\/a>, an expert on football culture and industry.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Exterminate\/Regenerate: blowing your understanding of the Doctor Who universe wide open<\/a>
Saturday 18 October, 1pm
\u00a38
Writer, journalist and cultural historian, John Higgs discusses the hidden history behind one of the UK\u2019s most beloved shows, Doctor Who.<\/p>\n

The author of books on topics such as The Beatles, James Bond, William Blake and The KLF, Higgs will focus on his latest book Exterminate\/Regenerate: The Story of Doctor Who \u2013 the first biography of the Time Lord. Interviewing Higgs will be Dr Matthew Bradley<\/a>, Senior Lecturer in English Literature.<\/p>\n

\"\"Fundamentally: Nussaibah Younis exploring love, radicalism and identity<\/a>
Saturday 18 October, 2.30pm
\u00a38
Peacebuilding expert Dr Nussaibah Younis discusses her satirical novel Fundamentally \u2013 shortlisted for the 2025 Women\u2019s Prize for Fiction \u2013 which follows an academic tasked with rehabilitating women linked to ISIS.<\/p>\n

Younis is a former Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and a widely published commentator on Iraq.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Searching for My Slave Roots with Malik Al Nasir<\/a>
Saturday 18 October, 4pm
\u00a310
Liverpool-born author, poet, and filmmaker Malik Al Nasir discusses his new book Searching for My Slave Roots: From Guyana\u2019s Sugar Plantations to Cambridge\u00a0\u2013 published in August this year.<\/p>\n

Born in Liverpool to mixed parentage, Malik started tracing his roots back through Caribbean slavery over 20 years ago. His acclaimed research has earned recognition from leading historians and institutions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Juno Dawson: talking witchcraft and confronting the good and evil in Human Rites<\/a>
Saturday 18 October, 5.30pm
\u00a310
Juno Dawson joins Dr Matthew Bradley<\/a> to discuss Human Rites, the long-awaited final instalment to her number one bestselling fantasy series Her Majesty\u2019s Royal Coven.<\/p>\n

Dawson is a novelist, screenwriter, journalist, and a columnist for Attitude magazine, whose books include the global bestsellers This Book is Gay and Clean. She won the 2020 YA Book Prize for Meat Market.<\/p>\n

She also writes for television, including the much-praised \u2018Interstellar Song Contest\u2019 episode of Doctor Who, and has multiple shows in development both in the UK and US.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The stories of movie music: Mark Kermode and Jenny Nelson, on their new book Surround Sound<\/a>
Saturday 18 October, 7pm
\u00a312
Mark Kermode, one of the UK\u2019s most recognisable film critics, discusses his forthcoming book Surround Sound: The Stories of Movie Music.<\/p>\n

Co-authored with radio producer Jenny Nelson, Surround Sound is a deep dive into the world of movie soundtracks, giving an insight into the emotional connection audiences form with film music.<\/p>\n

As well as an award-winning film critic, Mark is a musician and radio and television presenter and hosts a popular film review podcast Kermode & Mayo\u2019s Take with former BBC Radio broadcaster Simon Mayo.<\/p>\n

Short Story competition winners \u2013 staff and student categories<\/a>
Sunday 19 October, 10am
FREE
Join Dr Danny O\u2019Connor<\/a>, Colm T\u00f3ib\u00edn Lecturer in Creative Writing, for a special event celebrating the winners and runners-up of the Liverpool Literary Festival Short Story Competition.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s theme was \u2018anniversaries\u2019, marking the Festival\u2019s 10th year. Writers submitted stories of up to 1,500 words, with the very best published in an online anthology.<\/p>\n

This competition, sponsored by Liverpool ONE, was judged by a panel including Festival Director Professor Greg Lynall, King Alfred Chair in English Literature.<\/p>\n

The event will also feature readings from this year\u2019s School of the Arts Literary Magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Adele Zeynep Walton discusses Logging Off: The Human Cost of Our Digital World<\/a>
Sunday 19 October, 11.30am
\u00a38
Journalist Adele Zeynep grew up online, building a career through social media \u2013 but after losing her sister to online harm, she began questioning the digital world\u2019s impact.<\/p>\n

She joins the Festival to discuss her powerful new book Logging Off, in conversation with Dr Mark McGlashan<\/a>, an expert on the language of online safeguarding.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hattie Williams, in conversation about her debut novel Bitter Sweet<\/a>
Sunday 19 October, 1pm
\u00a38
Musician-turned-publisher Hattie Williams joins the Festival to discuss her debut novel Bitter Sweet \u2013 a gripping story of power, control, and silence in relationships.<\/p>\n

After touring Europe and releasing three albums, Hattie spent over a decade in publishing. Her second novel, Beginning. Middle. End., is already in the works.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The impact of crimes and abuse on families: Dorothy Koomson discusses her latest novel Give Him To Me<\/a>
Sunday 19 October, 2.30pm
\u00a310
Bestselling author Dorothy Koomson joins Senior Lecturer in English Literature, Dr Melissa Raines<\/a>. Here Koomson will discuss her latest thriller Give Him To Me, out in paperback this August, and the theme of domestic abuse that runs through much of her work.<\/p>\n

With over 2.5 million UK sales, Koomson is a literary trailblazer, featured on the 2021 Powerlist as one of the most influential Black people in Britain and was a former Women\u2019s Prize judge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Chris Shepherd takes us along Anfield Road, his debut graphic novel<\/a>
Sunday 19 October, 4pm
\u00a310
Artist and filmmaker Chris Shepherd joins Senior Lecturer in English Literature Dr David Hering<\/a> to discuss his acclaimed debut graphic novel Anfield Road \u2013 a coming-of-age story set in 1980s Liverpool and named Observer Graphic Novel of the Month.<\/p>\n

Shepherd\u2019s award-winning career spans film, music, and teaching, with British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) and BAFTA recognition and collaborations with artists including Holly Johnson, and Reverend and the Makers.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The John McGahern Annual Book Prize<\/a>
Sunday 19 October, 5.30pm
FREE
Join us for the sixth annual John McGahern Book Prize and hear excerpts from the winning entry, Girl in the Making by Anna Fitzgerald.<\/p>\n

Now in its sixth year, the prestigious prize was established by the University of Liverpool\u2019s\u00a0Institute of Irish Studies<\/a>\u00a0to promote new Irish fiction. Girl in the Making\u00a0was chosen from a shortlist picked by esteemed author and former Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, Colm T\u00f3ib\u00edn.<\/p>\n

Printroom<\/a> is the official Liverpool Literary Festival 2025 supporter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There\u2019s just one week to go until the Liverpool Literary Festival 2025 begins \u2013 marking a major milestone…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":70350,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[489,156,111,139,69],"class_list":["post-70349","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-books","tag-books","tag-entertainment","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70349","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70349"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70349\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/70350"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70349"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70349"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70349"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}