UEA Live returns this autumn with literary legends and rising stars
By: Communications
Norwich’s signature literary festival, UEA Live, is back this autumn with a must-see line-up of authors, playwrights and poets – including beloved children’s author Sir Michael Morpurgo, accomplished playwright Sir David Hare and bestselling author Paula Hawkins.
Check out the full line-up of UEA Live autumn events
Thursday 9 October – Sir David Hare
The accomplished playwright, screenwriter – and UEA honorary graduate – kickstarts the programme in conversation with Prof Steve Waters.
Join them for an extraordinary evening, as Sir David Hare shares insights into his career, passions, inspirations, and the challenges and successes of his work.
Friday 24 October – Paula Hawkins
The bestselling author of The Girl on the Train will be launching Norwich Book Festival, with a talk all about her latest psychological thriller, The Blue Hour.
Saturday 1 November – Sir Michael Morpurgo
November sees an exclusive Norfolk appearance from this beloved children’s author, whose novels include novels include War Horse, The Butterfly Lion, and Private Peaceful.
He will be in conversation with Dr Jasmin Kirkbride, an author and PHD doctorate in Creative & Critical Writing at UEA.
This event aligns with a return of the acclaimed War Horse production at the Norwich Theatre Royal in the same week.
Wednesday 5 November – Nussaibah Younis
Nussaibah, a peacebuilding practitioner and Women’s Prize finalist, discusses her razor-sharp debut novel Fundamentally – which explores love, family, religion and the decisions we make in pursuit of belonging.
Wednesday 26 November - Joelle Taylor and James McDermott
Award-winning poet Joelle and EastEnders writer James (who is also a creative writing lecturer at UEA) share the stage for an electrifying evening of verse, hosted at Dragon Hall in Norwich.
Join these two speakers for a special evening, celebrating the launch of Taylor’s latest collection, Maryville.
Monday 1 December – Naomi Booth and Katy Massey
Closing the season with a powerful conversation on motherhood, violence and Yorkshire, this event features two of the UK’s most compelling literary voices.
Naomi is a writer and academic whose fiction delves into themes like environmental contamination, pregnancy, and surreal landscapes, with her work featured in Best British Short Stories and longlisted for major prizes.
Katy is an acclaimed memoirist and crime novelist, whose debut All Us Sinners won the 2025 ILP Debut Dagger. Additionally, her memoir Are We Home Yet? was shortlisted for the Jhalak and Portico Prizes.
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