The 23 leading literary festivals across London and the UK to suit every bibliophile
theglossarymagazine.com – Saturday March 14, 2026
Celebrate the power of the written word at these mind-expanding literary extravaganzas
When it comes to the best literary festivals in the UK, it seems we’re spoilt for choice this year. Whether it’s an agenda-pushing event in the capital, a family-friendly festival in a field or an idyllic book-lovers dream on a grand country estate, there’s something to suit every bibliophile’s needs. And a great literary festival isn’t just for summer – they’re held throughout the year and across the country, from north London to the Scottish Highlands. Here, we’ve rounded up the best London and UK literary festivals 2026 to book tickets for now.
Lucy Luck Launches Independent Literary Agency After Nine Years at Conville & Walsh
firstwriter.com – Monday March 9, 2026
After nearly a decade shaping some of the most distinctive voices on the Conville & Walsh (C&W) list, literary agent Lucy Luck has stepped out on her own, establishing an independent agency that reflects both her editorial instincts and her commitment to author‑centred representation. The move marks a significant moment not only for Luck’s career but also for the wider UK agenting landscape, where boutique agencies continue to gain momentum.
A Natural Evolution in a Distinguished Career
Luck’s departure from C&W – where she spent nine years building a reputation for championing bold, original fiction and thought‑provoking non‑fiction – signals a new chapter defined by autonomy and creative freedom. Her time at the agency saw her develop a list known for its literary quality and its ability to break out in competitive markets.
Diversion Publishing Buys U.K. Indie Press
publishersweekly.com – Monday March 9, 2026
Scott Waxman’s Diversion Publishing Corp. has acquired the U.K. independent publisher Influx Press Ltd. The purchase involves about 75 titles in the categories of upmarket horror, literary short fiction, satirical fiction, “and others meant to provoke and unsettle the reader,” according to the announcement.
Notable Influx authors include Percival Everett, Eliza Clark, Eva Wyles, Lauren DuPlessis, Joel Lane, Eley Williams, Nour Abi-Nakhoul, Ben Tufnell, and Darran Anderson. Influx’s titles have been shortlisted and longlisted for the Booker Prize, Dylan Thomas Prize, the Edge Hill Prize, the Jhalak Prize, and the Gordon Burn Prize.
Diversion’s titles are distributed in the U.K. by Simon & Schuster, but, at least for the time being, Influx books will continue to be distributed by Turnaround.
Manga Publisher Seven Seas Entertainment Bought By Media Do
bleedingcool.com – Saturday March 7, 2026
Manga Publisher Seven Seas Entertainment has been bought by Japanese eBook publisher Media Do
The company Media Do International has agreed to buy manga publisher Seven Seas Entertainment, the largest independently owned manga publisher in the English-language market. Founded in 2004 by Jason DeAngelis, Seven Seas published over 1,300 series and thousands of titles from Japan, China, South Korea, and beyond into the English-language market, including the likes of Monster Musume, Lost in the Cloud and Dear. Door. While Tokyo-based Media Do is Japan's largest eBook distribution company, it is also known as a proponent of A.I. translation services. The company's purchasing wing, Media Do International, is headquartered in San Diego, California. Media Do also bought Quality Solutions/Firebrand Technologies and NetGalley in 2021, and Supadü in 2022.
The PR states that "Seven Seas will continue to operate under its existing leadership team and editorial direction. There are no changes to distribution, publishing schedules, or core operations as a result of this transaction. All Seven Seas print imprints will continue to be distributed worldwide by Penguin Random House Publisher Services."
"For more than twenty years, our focus has been simple: publishing exceptional stories and treating them with care, respect, and the passion of fans who never forget what drew us to these stories in the first place," says Jason DeAngelis. "This partnership strengthens our long-term position while preserving the creative independence and publishing mission that define Seven Seas. We remain deeply committed to our creators, partners, and readers."
Navigator Books Launches as Independent Philadelphia-based Publisher
24-7pressrelease.com – Saturday March 7, 2026
Publisher Will Focus on History, Biography, Memoir, and Historical Fiction
Navigator Books today announced its launch as an independent book publisher dedicated to publishing compelling books in the categories of History, Biography, Memoir, and Historical Fiction. Navigator will publish 3 books in 2026 beginning in July, with 6 titles scheduled for 2027 and plans for an expanding list in the years ahead. Founded with a mission of producing books that will endure by developing authors creatively and commercially through multi-book commitments, Navigator's list will be curated, edited, and published by its founder Brendan Cahill, a 30-year veteran of trade book publishing.
"Our goal is to publish books that matter, and to reach a broad readership," said Cahill, the CEO and Publisher of Navigator Books. "Our society and culture are hungry for new, in-depth perspectives on history in our fast-evolving mobile/social digital era, which AI is accelerating even further. We need a scalable, human-creativity-forward approach for publishers and authors to create meaningful books that are meant to be experienced at the speed humans can absorb them.
"There are many talented established and emergent authors who are frustrated by today's publishing landscape. Navigator Books is excited to join the new generation of innovative and dynamic author-centric independent book publishers seeking to transform the industry by addressing its legacy limitations. Navigator sees this moment as an opportunity to chart a new course, and will add unique value to the title creation process through early-stage collaborative ideation with our authors to kick off the writing and editing process strongly, both creatively and commercially. We'll be pairing our category focus on history writ large with a business model grounded in multi-book commitments to our authors, with established royalty and rights split standards that align with veteran agents. And we'll incorporate modern technologies—including the responsible usage of AI in operational execution—for the benefit of the ecosystem."
Writers House Founder Al Zuckerman Dies at 94
publishersweekly.com – Friday March 6, 2026
Al Zuckerman, founder of Writers House, one of publishing’s first modern literary agencies, died on March 5 from natural causes. He was 94.
Zuckerman began his agenting career “as a one-man shop, taking business meetings in a bank lobby,” Writers House wrote in announcing Zuckerman’s retirement as chairman emeritus in 2020. His working approach was that a literary agent should be a creative and business partner for writers—a relatively novel idea at the time that he launched the agency, in 1973.
Writers House now as over 20 agents and 50 employees and represents hundreds of authors. Zuckerman personally served as the agent for such mega-bestsellers as Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth, Michael Lewis’s Moneyball and Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time.
The Writers House list features such esteemed authors as Isabel Allende, Octavia Butler, James Clear, Jonathan Franzen, Amanda Gorman, John Green, Sarah J. Maas, Ann Martin, Stephenie Meyer, Christopher Paolini, Dav Pilkey, Nora Roberts, and Tui Sutherland.
Now Open: The Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026
royalcwsociety.org – Thursday March 5, 2026
Theme: Common Ground: Better Together
The Commonwealth is one of the most diverse communities on earth. It stretches across continents and oceans, linking bustling cities, remote villages, small island states and vast nations. It encompasses countless languages, cultures, climates and lived experiences.
And yet, despite these differences, there is common ground.
The 2026 theme, Common Ground: Better Together, invites young writers to explore what unites us across the Commonwealth and how collaboration, understanding and shared purpose help us move forward together.
It’s about the connections that surprise us. The values that anchor us. The shared challenges that call us to act. And the hopes for the future.
CASH PRIZE Of £5,000: Apply for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2027
globalsouthopportunities.com – Saturday February 28, 2026
Writers across the Commonwealth are invited to prepare for the 2027 edition of the prestigious Commonwealth Foundation Commonwealth Short Story Prize, an annual literary award that celebrates outstanding unpublished short fiction. Recognised globally, the prize offers a powerful platform for both emerging and established writers to showcase their storytelling talent on an international stage.
With a top cash award of £5,000, publication opportunities, and worldwide recognition, the 2027 Commonwealth Short Story Prize presents a valuable opportunity for writers seeking to expand their literary careers.
About the Commonwealth Short Story Prize
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is designed to spotlight exceptional storytelling from across the Commonwealth’s diverse member states. The competition is structured around five regional categories:
Prize worth £12k for young writers launched with Caitlin Moran mentorship
birminghammail.co.uk – Thursday February 26, 2026
The BSME Young Writers Prize is open to those aged 18-25 in the UK, offering a bursary, year-long mentorship and work experience with top editors
A budding writer aged 18-25 in the UK could be set to become the next big name in journalism, thanks to a newly launched competition offering a £12,000 bursary, a year of mentorship from celebrated author and columnist Caitlin Moran, and work experience alongside some of the country's most prominent editors.
The brand-new accolade, established in partnership with the British Society of Magazine Editors, seeks to champion those from underrepresented backgrounds who lack the financial means or industry connections to forge a career in media.
Hopeful entrants should submit original work through the BSME website, which can include a feature, review, opinion piece, column, personal essay, or a piece of creative writing drawn from a real-life experience or event.
New MeetCute Storyteller Prize will offer winner literary representation
firstwriter.com – Thursday February 26, 2026
The MeetCute Romance Book Festival and Kate Nash Literary Agency are launching a new competition for writers of romance fiction with an offer of literary representation for the winner.
"We are searching for the next big voice in romance fiction", said literary agent Kate Nash, "so we are delighted to be partnering with MeetCute for this new prize. It is different from other literary prizes in that the winner will be offered literary representation on the spot, no ifs or buts. We know from past experience we can spot the stars of the future so we will be offering representation based on one chapter. I also think it's important to say in the current climate that all the entries will be human-read by literary agents, no AI involved."
The MeetCute Festival brings together readers and writers of romance fiction in the glorious open air setting of Home Farm, Elstree in Hertfordshire. Coming into its third year in 2026, the fast-growing festival takes place on Saturday 4th of July when the competition winners will be announced.
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