A three-day celebration of storytelling brought to you by the Evening Standard, 24—26 September at Picturehouse Central.

Celebrating a diverse range of talent, including leading authors, poets, screenwriters, debut novelists, groundbreaking comedians and the cast and crew of some of Netflix’s biggest shows. Join our storytellers for live talks, readings and workshops as they share their unique methods with live audiences.

My Top Picks:

Top Boy: A portrait of our times

Ashley Walters, star of Top Boy and Bullet Proof. Credit: Independent

Top Boy star, Ashley Walters, speaks with Ronan Bennett (Creator, Writer, Executive Producer) and cast members about the show and its mentorship scheme. Friday 24th, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

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Founder of Merky Books Stormzy, at the 2020 Brit Awards. Credit: Vickie Flores/EPA

#Merky Books showcase: Fiction’s new rising stars

Meet three young authors from Stormzy’s #Merky Books imprint (dedicated to publishing fiction, non-fiction, and poetry by a new generation of voices). Friday 24th, 9:15 PM – 10:15 PM

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Black British Writing Now with Candice Brathwaite and Kadija Sesay

Author, Influencer and TV Presenter Candice Brathwaite. Credit: BodyForm

Kadija Sesay (poet, editor) joins author Candice Brathwaite (I Am Not Your Baby Mother) to address the complex issues facing Black writing today. Saturday 25th, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM

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The power of poetry with Kayo Chingonyi, Sophia Thakur and Leo Boix – sponsored by Bushmills

Poet Sophia Thakur. Credit: Diving Bell Group

Three poets give their all in an evening of exciting and compelling stand-up: meet Sophia Thakur, Leo Boix and Kayo Chingonyi Saturday 25th, 9:15 PM – 10:15 PM

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#MERKY SUPERHEROES

Performance poet Sophia Thakur joins fellow writer Denzell Dankwah to discuss their inspirational book ‘Superheroes’. Sunday 26th, 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

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From page to screen: The art of adaptation (Heartstopper and The Upper World)

Author Femi Fadugba. Credit: Ernest Simmons

Exciting emerging voices discuss the inspiration behind their work – Alice Oseman (LGBTQ+ webcomic Heartstopper), Femi Fadugba (The Upper World). Sunday 26th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Visit here for the full speaker line up and to book your tickets.

NB: All ticket holders will receive a tote bag (courtesy of Little Brown Book Group) as well as a free Moleskine notebook to inspire your creativity. Share your notes from the festival using #MoleskineStories and you could win a Moleskine Smart Writing System worth £145.