Shoreditch may be the undisputed home of London’s creative rebellion, but just a short hop west, another literary uprising is brewing. The first-ever Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words arrives from 14–17 May 2025, and it’s bringing serious wordplay to the city’s most historic media district.
For four days, London’s media mile transforms into a storytelling playground. Think big-hitting authors, award-winning journalists, gripping debates, and a few Shakespearean sword fights thrown in for good measure. Whether you’re into Booker Prize winners, investigative exposés, podcast powerhouses or live literary performance, this brand-new festival is ready to make headlines.
Where Media Past Meets Storytelling Future
Fleet Street isn’t just where newspapers were born—it’s where stories became institutions. So it’s fitting that the inaugural Festival of Words reclaims this legacy with a line-up that spans fiction, non-fiction, screenwriting, politics, and family programming. Over 50 events will be held across iconic venues like Stationers’ Hall, Middle Temple Hall, Dr Johnson’s House, and even the offices of The Times and The Guardian.
And it’s not just readings and polite applause—this is a fast-paced, modern lit fest that blends performance with punch. From breakfast briefings and early-evening debates to weekend performances and live Shakespeare battles (yep, that’s a thing), it’s a full-blown literary revival.
Highlights from the Programme: Wordsmiths, Rebels and Real Talk
Expect literary heavyweights like Ben Okri, Kate Mosse and Jojo Moyes to mix with debut authors and digital creators. Jeremy Vine and Simon Mayo turn broadcasters-turned-novelists. Meanwhile, Reeta Chakrabarti brings her debut novel to the table, and actor Larry Lamb talks shop about his new fiction inspired by life on screen.
In the journalism and current affairs sphere, the lineup is equally star-studded. Chris Steele, Stephanie Baker and Nick Wallis pull back the curtain on power, propaganda, and scandal, while insiders like Jane Moore and Simon Hart serve up tales from Fleet Street and Westminster.
And with events tackling everything from AI to environmental activism, satire to screenwriting, it’s clear this isn’t your nan’s literary fest.
From Ink to AI: Rethinking the Written Word
Where the Festival of Words really flexes is in its exploration of how storytelling is evolving. That means not just books and journalism, but podcasts, YouTube series, spoken word, and even Guinness World Records. (Yes, you might actually break one.)
Publishing insiders will demystify how ideas go from Post-it notes to hardback, while creators debate whether an idea should become a podcast, a book, or both. And if you’ve ever binge-watched Apple TV’s Slow Horses, don’t miss Mick Herron talking about adapting his bestselling spy novels for the screen.
Bookish Vibes for All Ages
Of course, no literary party would be complete without a bit of fun for the next generation of bookworms. Saturday’s family programme brings Guinness World Records challenges, live illustration from Olaf Falafel, and high-energy readings sure to make even the most reluctant young readers laugh out loud.
Meanwhile, sports fans can debate the future of Test cricket or hear from Moses Swaibu about the shadowy world of match fixing. And foodies? Jimi Famurewa and Leyla Kazim are here to spill the tea on what it’s really like to be a food critic in London.
A Revival Worth Reading Into
At its core, the Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words is more than a literary event—it’s a cultural reset. It nods to the area’s printing press past while reimagining what storytelling means in an era of tweets, TikToks, and AI-generated novels. It’s about reclaiming words as power, as protest, and as pure entertainment.
The festival offers something Shoreditch locals will recognise instantly: a deep belief in creative independence and expression. So if you live for stories, love a good argument, or just fancy swapping your usual rooftop wine for a bit of cultural enrichment (and maybe some historical gossip), consider your calendar sorted.
Festival Details:
🗓️ 14–17 May 2025
📍 Venues across Fleet Street Quarter, including Stationers’ Hall, Middle Temple Hall, and more
🎟️ Tickets via Eventbrite or visit fleetstreetquarter.co.uk
💥 Events from £0 (many free) – pay what you can available
Whether you’re a fiction fan, non-fiction nerd, or just want to eavesdrop on some of the brightest minds in Britain, the Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words is an exciting new addition to London’s creative circuit—and one not to be missed.
