Literature in the Lane 18th - 25th October 2025
Join us this October for Literature in the Lane, a celebration of literature and the people who write it. From 18th - 25th October 2025, The Lane Bookshop will play host to nine events, featuring 21 authors.
With a pirate academy, a craft-filled children's story time, political discussion, author interviews, a writing workshop, a murder mystery competition, a debate of the merits of an all-time great, and an evening of authors getting their grumbles off their chest, we've got a literature event for you, whatever your age or taste in books.
Follow the links below to buy tickets to the events. We look forward to seeing you at one or all of them!
18/10 Justin Somper's Pirate Academy
📍The Lane Bookshop
🕠 Doors open at 10:00am | Event starts at 10:30am
Join award-winning author Justin Somper as he opens up the world of his swashbuckling new book series, Pirate Academy, described by Cressida Cowell as “a gloriously action-packed adventure” and by Eoin Colfer as “pirates done right!”
Dress as a pirate - there will be prizes for the best-dressed on deck!
18/10 Philippe Sands & Bron Sibree discuss 38 Londres Street
📍Claremont Quarter (top floor)
🕠 Doors open at 18:15 | Event starts at 19:00
We're thrilled to be welcoming Philippe Sands live by video from Vienna, to discuss his latest book 38 Londres Street with journalist Bron Sibree.
38 Londres Street blends personal memoir, historical detective work and gripping courtroom drama to probe a secret double story of mass murder hat reveals a shocking thread linking the horrors of the 1940s with those of our own times.
Philippe Sands is Professor of Public Understanding of Law at UCL and a practicing barrister at 11 KBW. His significant legal cases include Pinochet, Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Iraq, Guantanamo, and the Rohingya.
20/10 Carmel MacDonald Grahame & Susan Midalia introduce Telling Times
📍The Lane Bookshop
🕠 Doors open at 17:30 | Event starts at 18:00
Telling Times charts the lives of women and girls in the context of crucial events and movements that have shaped the modern western world.
"A chronicle of daring and delight. In this agile weave of short stories and poetry we see the tenacity of women through the blend of time" Catherine McNamara
21/10 Flash Fiction Workshop with Leanne Keenan from Night Parrot Press
📍The Lane Bookshop
🕠 Doors open at 17:30 | Event starts at 18:00
Do you want to write short stories? Laura Keenan from Night Parrot Press will teach you the craft of creating micro memoir and flash fiction that leave a strong, colourful, and unforgettable impression.
Laura will offer an overview of the form, techniques for writing flash fiction or micro memoir, examples of published stories, and prompts for writing your own flash or micro piece. No prior experience writing in the form is required—come ready for a relaxed, friendly and encouraging session.
22/10 Murder They Wrote
📍The Lane Bookshop
🕠 Doors open at 17:30 | Event starts at 18:00
Join Sara Foster, David Whish-Wilson and Alan Carter as they compete for the titles of Master Criminal and Ace Detective. Each author will set the other two a mystery to unravel. Who will prove to be a real-life Sherlock Holmes and who will be Moriarty? The challenge is afoot!
23/10 Is Jane Austen Overrated?
📍The Lane Bookshop
🕠 Doors open at 17:30 | Event starts at 18:00
Jane Austen is one of the greatest ever writers. Isn't she? Two teams go head-to-head to debate Austen's status in literature's pantheon.
For the Prosecution: Susan Midalia, Katherine Allum, and Bianca Breen
For the Defence: Michelle Johnston, Michael Burrows, and Emily Paull
24/10 Letters of Complaint
>📍The Lane Bookshop
🕠 Doors open at 17:30 | Event starts at 18:00
What gets your goat and irks your ire? Annabel Smith asks 5 authors to get their grumbles off their chest; they moan, we laugh.
The complainants are Karen Herbert, Patrick Marlborough, Andrew H.C. McDonald, Meg McKinlay, Andrea Thompson.
25/10 Susan Lu Joy introduces Nanna Croccles
📍The Lane Bookshop
🕠 Doors open at 10:00 | Event starts at 10:30
Join Susan Lu Joy for an interactive, craft-filled story time introducing you to the world of Nanna Croccles. For ages 4+
ABOUT THE BOOK
Nanna Croccles is no ordinary nanna! She spreads joy and colour everywhere she goes, even on her way to fetch bananas! At home, she always knows exactly what everything needs. But what will she do when she finds a friend in need? A delightful debut about kindness and community.
25/10 Literature in the Lane Closing Party
📍The Lane Bookshop
🕠 Doors open at 18:00
And that's that. Seven days, nine events, twenty-two authors and a whole lot of talking and laughing about literature. Join us for the festival closing party, where we'll say thank you to everyone who's taken part and made for a truly wonderful week.
We'll provide the drinks and sustenance and book talk, you just bring your charming selves.