South Hams Literary Festival

South Hams Literary Festival 2025: A Page-Turning Weekend of Stories, Secrets, and Surprises

Ivybridge is set to become a book lover’s paradise this October as the South Hams Literary Festival 2025 brings together local authors, bold new voices, and bookworms of all ages for a thrilling weekend of conversation, creativity, and community.

Taking place Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October, the festival promises a jam-packed programme of events across Ivybridge, from gripping crime fiction panels to fantastical world-building and deeply personal memoirs — all completely free to attend with booking.

Saturday Highlights: Stories That Grip, Move, and Inspire

The day kicks off at 10 am in the Beacon Room at Ivybridge Library with "In Conversation: Killer Stories & Criminal Minds" — a dark and deliciously intriguing dive into the craft of crime fiction. Join local favourites Abigail Yardimci and Helena Dixon, interviewed by Catherine Dodd, as they discuss how to plot the perfect murder and keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Next, at 11.30 am, it's time to escape reality with "Beyond the Realms", a fantasy fiction panel featuring Geoff Wilson and Susie Williamson, who will open the gates to magical realms, ancient myths, and epic adventures — all under the skilful guidance of Catherine Dodd.

From high fantasy to heartfelt truth, the 1.30 pm session at Hawthorn House shifts to memoir and wellbeing in "The Story Within". Esteemed writers Mary Elizabeth Earle and Kate Harris share honest, hopeful conversations about life, healing, and the personal journeys that shape their writing.

For lovers of the past, the festival continues at 3 pm in The Ivybridge Bookshop with "Voices from the Past". Authors JH Mann and Jill McRae-Spencer delve into the rich world of historical fiction, revealing how they breathe life into forgotten eras and long-lost voices. (Book by emailing info@ivybridgebookshop.com or via Eventbrite.)