Margate Bookie hosts nine day celebration of books, reading and writing

The Margate Bookie is back for its tenth annual festival from September 28-October 6.

The Big Weekend at Turner Contemporary (October 5-6) is full of amazing star authors. The Bookie features the thrilling Lisa Jewell, Turner Prize winning artist Jeremy Deller, Selecter singer Pauline Black and Bibliomaniac Robin Ince. Plus Daisy Buchanan hosts comedy legend Helen Lederer in an exclusive live recording of the You’re Booked podcast.

The nine-day extravaganza also includes creative writing workshops, showcases for local writers, the Poetry Slam headlined by Raymond Antrobus, a Children’s Festival and so much more!

Bookie founder Andreas Loizou (above) said: “Margate Bookie continues to be a fantastic mix of outstanding local talent and inspiring names from further afield. I love how so many people in east Kent work together to make Bookie such a success.”

Turner Contemporary will welcome pupils from the Royal Harbour Academy and Hartsdown for a special schools day sponsored by Thanet Rotary. Students will enjoy workshops with Nick Hornby’s Ministry of Stories and the chance to speak with author for young adults Moira Ruffini.

The festival kicks off with Write Up Weekend, two days of writing workshops at Marine Studios sponsored by the Amazon Literary Partnership. Curated by playwright and performer Nicola Wren, Write Up has seven different sessions on topics from exploring your writing voice to editing like a pro. Learn from published authors, playwrights, journalists from the BBC, the Guardian and literary voices from across Thanet. Attend a single session or flow through the whole weekend.

On the Monday afternoon (September 30), Elspeth Penfold and East Kent Mencap host Billie’s Tea Party and Book Club at Wildes Café in the Old Town.

The festival continues during the week with author talks and panel discussions at the Margate School. On Monday neurodiverse poetry group MixMatched presents Noughties Nostalgia & Atypical Love Stories, starring Elvin James Mensah.

Tuesday (October 1) is the not-to-be-missed Local Writers Showcase. Discover the booming literary scene on Planet Thanet as 12 local writers give readings with themes spanning psychology, goths, drugs, and the seaside.

On Wednesday (October 2), local historian and comedian Will MacLachlan talks about Margate – A hidden history of authors, artists and lovers. On Thursday (October 3) Maggie Harris, Mark Holihan and Filipe Gomes explore The Nature of Belonging.

The notorious Bookie Poetry Slam is at Dreamland on Friday night (October 4). Headliner for the evening is an absolute legend in contemporary British poetry, Raymond Antrobus. Eleven poets face off for a shot at the Margate Bookie title belt and cash prizes.

The Big Bookie Weekend at Turner Contemporary is as full of amazing and authors as ever! David Whitehouse and Dorothy Koomsom talk Crime and Consequence with Ayo Onatade, local legend Harry Baker reads his award-winning poetry and the culmination is the Vanguard 14 Anthology launch.

This year’s Bookie Children’s Festival is curated by children’s author and bookseller Tamara Macfaralane. Children’s events are free with something for youngsters of all ages. Bring the family and enjoy interactive storytelling sessions with Ester Coombs, Paul Deslandes, Tom Delahunt, Garry Parsons, Sam Gayton, Emily Anne Davidson and Julie Leonard.

The weekend comes to a close with a Farewell Walk to the train station with Will Merlock, discovering some of Margate’s unique history along the way.

The Bookie Bookshop will be open 11am- 4.30pm everyday at Turner Contemporary and Andrew Dennis will be sharing his Mixtape exhibition in the cafe.

For full details of the festival including timings and tickets visit www.margatebookie.com