The Alternative Book Fair 2026

Wednesday 8th April - Saturday 11th April 2026. A fesitval of books, literature and some of the best names in publishing, at Islington Central Library. All events are free!

#### One of the most exciting events of the publishing calendar, the Alternative Book Fair is a week of publishing and author events to bring the world of publishing and literature to a wider audience, especially aspiring authors, emerging writers and avid readers. With author panels featuring Booker Prize Longisted Natasha Brown, As Young As This's Roxy Dunn, Gonzalo Garcia, Katherine Faulkner, Mel Pennant, Ronan O’Shea and many more.

#### On Saturday 11th April we have the Indie Book Fair where 30 of the most influencial independent publishers gather, showcase and sell their books and answer your questions.

#### And all of it is completely free to attend, funded by Indie Novella, Arts Council England and Islington Libraries.

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Wednesday 8th April: The Art of Crime Writing with Katherine Faulkner, Emily Freud and Mel Pennant
What makes a crime story irresistible? How do writers balance motive, mystery and meaning? In this engaging panel, Katherine Faulkner, Emily Freud and Mel Pennant delve into the art of crime writing — from building tension and crafting unforgettable characters to reflecting social currents in fiction that keeps us turning pages late into the night. Hear how they approach plot twists, moral ambiguity and the genre’s endless capacity to surprise.

Thursday 9th April: Natasha Brown on Creative Marketing for Books
In this special session for the Alternative Book Fair, Booker Prize-longlisted and Granta Best of British Young Novelists author Natasha Brown speaks about the creative marketing strategies behind her novel Universality. Moving beyond traditional publicity, Natasha developed a suite of unconventional, in-world promotional materials — including a fictional magazine, an investigation board, and bespoke social media and podcast assets — all created on a shoestring budget and without the use of AI!

Saturday 11th April: The Indie Press Fair
Meet some of the UK’s most inspirational independent publishers, with a day of stalls and events from the publishers of the world’s most innovative fiction and non-fiction. Stall holders include Influx Press, Cipher Press, Weather Glass Books, Renard Press, Indie Novella, Heloise Press, Jacaranda Books, Scorpius Books, Istros Books, Jantar Books, époque press, Goat Star Books & Prototype Publishing. Throughout the day there will be opportunities for readers and writers to meet leading and award winning independent publishers, experience their books, meet authors, and ask questions about the world of publishing.

Saturday 11th April: Roxy Dunn and Gonzalo Garcia
Two hugely exciting literary voices take centre stage in this year’s headliner conversation. Roxy Dunn burst onto the fiction scene with her debut novel As Young as This, which was widely celebrated as one of The Independent, Harper’s Bazaar, Stylist, Cosmopolitan and Sunday Times Style’s Best Books of 2024 — a wry, emotionally fluent exploration of love, expectation and the stories we tell ourselves about life and relationships. Her second novel, Wants and Needs, continues her beguiling mix of humour and insight, arriving in early 2026.
Joining her is Chilean-born novelist Gonzalo C. Garcia, whose debut novel We Are The End introduced readers to his distinctive blend of wit and depth and earned critical attention in the UK independent publishing scene. His much anticipated new novel Telenovela, set in Santiago toward the end of Pinochet’s dictatorship, arrives in late 2025 and expands his richly human storytelling into bold historical and political territory.
In this headliner session, Dunn and Garcia will reflect on how their identities, backgrounds and artistic journeys have shaped their work; how they navigate expectation and evolution from one book to the next; and offer insight and encouragement for emerging writers and indie publishers charting their own creative paths.

Saturday 11th April: Publishing Panel - Galley Beggar, Scratch Books and Rough Trade
Last year we were delighted to welcome legends of the independent publishing scene Influx Press, Prototype Press and Cipher Press. This year host Will Dady of Renard Press will have just as a captivating line up - Galley Beggar, Scratch Books and Rough Trade are already confirmed.
Get an insight into the world of independent publishing, how to submit your work to them, and what it is like to work with a publisher.

Debut Authors Panel - Ronan O’Shaea, Ali Isaac & Louisa Bello
Some of the most exciting debut authors of 2026 talk to us about their journeys in publishing and their upcoming novels, and offer advice to aspiring authors. Featuring Ronan O’Shea whose debut novel Murphy Who Talks has been described as a satirical delight and is published by Indie Novella, Ali Isaac whose powerful debut literary memoir about motherhood Imperfect Bodies will be published by Heloise Press and Louisa Bello whose novel Where The Shadows End was longlisted for the Pat Kavanagh Prize for Writing Excellence will be published by époque press.

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