The highlight of the festival is the full day of literary activities on Wednesday 25th February 2026 at the University Centre Grimsby, including a Televised Awards Ceremony for the winners of the 2025 International Literary Prize and the launch of the 2026 competition.

MORNNG

Spend the morning in the university centre's corner lounge chatting to other writers and browsing the book fair. Book for a workshop or writers clinic, join the poetry corner, or even have your portrait done while enjoying some gentle music and figuring out the clues in the festival competition.

You can meet members of local writers groups, including St James Writers, New Chapter and Grimsby Writers and find out more about their activities.

Find out how to become a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts.

You can find out about the creative writing courses at the university centre Grimsby, including the Professional and Creative Writing Degree (BA Hons) and Creative Writing evening courses. Members of the department teaching staff will be available to answer your questions.

You can buy a special 'Festival Edition ' of SECRETS, the 2025 anthology of short stories or the beautifully illustrated anthology of poetry. See if you can spot some of the authors and judges and collect their signatures on the pages as a unique memento of the day.

Book in for one on our Festival Workshops.

Enjoy lunch in the university refectory or coffee shop before settling down to events and activities.

AFTERNOON

Celebrate with the 2025 award winners as they step up to receive their prizes for stories, poetry, scripts and songs.

Be one of the first to learn the secret theme for the 2026 International Literary Prize as we launch the new competition.

Find out more about Hammond House events and activities in 2026.

Enjoy the book fair, writer's clinics, live music or even have your portrait done.