York Literature Festival 2026

York Literature Festival began back in 2007, and was later adopted by a voluntary group who have steadily grown it to become one of the foremost literature festivals in the North of England.

Its mission is to bring literature and literary events to the city of York. The Festival prides itself on having a diverse range of events including talks, lectures, panels, debates, performances, storytelling pieces and workshops – featuring both fiction (literary, contemporary and genre-based), non-fiction and poetry while focusing on a number of themes including history, current affairs and a small programme of events for children.

This year, we have partnered with them to bring some of their scheduled events to SPARK!

This event is organised by the York Literature Festival. You can purchase any tickets for the following events at SPARK on the York Literature Festival website. Alternatively, tickets can also be purchased on the York Theatre Royal website and in their box office.

Writing with Water, Hydro-poetics Workshop

with Becca Drake

Wednesday 11 March, 6pm

In this two hour workshop, join poet Becca Drake to explore ways of writing with water. From drifting fragments of poetry in a paddling pool, to letting water intervene on the written page (and a detour through the best ‘blue’ poetry being written now), we will work together with water to co-compose our poems. Suitable for all ages and levels of experience. This is the perfect workshop to jump in if you are new to poetry, or if you want to try writing poetry in unexpected ways!

Becca Drake (she/they) is a poet and researcher based in York. Her book Unstill Landscapes (Guillemot Press, 2025) was BBC Radio 4 Poetry Extra Book of the Month. She has taught English Literature and Creative Writing for the University of York, as well as for Hull Museums Trust, Yorkshire Museums Trust, and grassroots arts and heritage organisations across Yorkshire. Her critical research explores lived landscapes of the medieval sea, the blue humanities, and medieval poetry as a tool for exploring affective relationships with landscapes of contemporary water crisis. Becca edits and prints experimental letterpress poetry pamphlets under the name Little Hirundine.

Writing Crime: a Creative Writing Workshop

with Katie Collom

Sunday 15 March, 3pm

Join local crime author, Katie Collom, for an activity based session on ‘Writing Crime’. Collom will reflect on writing her celebrated novel, Peter Miles Has to Die, whilst journeying participants through some writerly approaches to crafting a mystery, building suspense and constructing character.

Katie Collom grew up in Mazatlan, Mexico, and is a life-long expat and world traveler. She spent four years in Texas, where she attended the University of Texas at Austin. Currently, she resides in York, England, with her husband and three literary cats.

Writing Children’s Fiction, a Workshop

with Camilla Cassidy

Wednesday 18 March, 6pm

Recipient of a Hachette Children’s Novel Award from New Writing North in 2025, Camilla Cassidy joins us to deliver a bespoke workshop on writing Children’s fiction. Enjoy structured writing activities with the opportunity to hear Cassidy discuss her writing practice.

Camilla’s first manuscript won the Hachette New Writing North Children’s Novel Award 2025. Her work has appeared in the Times Literary Supplement, the London Magazine, the Spectator, Apollo Magazine and the Telegraph, among others. Her creative nonfiction book, The Ground Beneath Our Feet, won a Society of Authors K Blundell Award and is forthcoming from Reaktion Books.

Pen to Paper

a performance

Saturday 21 March, 6-9pm

York Literature Festival is delighted to partner with Pen to Paper for a two and a half hour showcase co-ordinated by Lizzi Linklater. The evening will consist of performances from 14 local writers across various genres and forms with a musical interval midway through. This will be a vigorous, atmospheric and diverse celebration of the written and spoken word.

I Don’t Think I’m Straight: Queer Poems to Celebrate You

performance by Isabella Dorta

Sunday 22 March, 6pm

Much loved touring spoken word poet, Isabella Dorta, is back in York to celebrate her newest book, I Don’t Think I’m Straight. Join us as we enjoy a vibrant and emotive performance and take advantage of the opportunity to leave with a signed copy. This collection will guide you on an empowering journey to explore sexuality with courage and understanding.

Keshed

Book talk with Stu Hennigan

Wednesday 25 March, 6pm

We are delighted to welcome Stu Hennigan to celebrate the publication of Keshed, his debut novel. Hennigan’s is a novel that will challenge contemporary discourse around masculinity, fatherhood and men’s mental health as we read through the reflections of a dying man in the shell of his family home, haunted by the chain of events that led him there.

Belgrave Road

Book talk with Manish Chauhan

Thursday 26 March, 6pm

Manish Chauhan joins us at SPARK, to discuss his debut novel. Described as a ‘classic tale of star-crossed love,’ Belgrave Road has potential to tug at the heart strings. This is a love story of two people working side by side but living worlds apart. Beyond their lunchtime encounters, Mira and Tahliil couldn’t lead more different lives: the duties that bind them, the homes they are trying to build threaten to subsume them. As Mira and Tahliil navigate the deep and turbulent waters of their new worlds can they find a way to be together, and will finding each other set them free?

York Literature Festival 2026

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