Get your bookmarks ready – because September is chock-full of literary events across Norfolk, with bestselling authors, family reading activities, crime fiction, folklore and one of the county's best-loved book festivals all on the calendar.
Here is our pick of 10 events taking place as part of Norfolk's thriving reading scene.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Amy Rigby: Mohawks, Milestones and Music City
- American Library, Norwich
- 7pm
- Free, book via Eventbrite
Singer-songwriter and author Amy Rigby visits Norwich to launch her memoir Girl to Country.
The evening combines readings from the book with live music and audience questions.
The memoir follows Rigby's move from New York to Nashville, exploring life, music, family and the challenges of building a creative career over several decades.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
The Noirwich Lecture: Catriona Ward
- Drama Studio, University of East Anglia, Norwich
- 6pm
- From £6, book via Eventbrite
Award-winning novelist Catriona Ward delivers this year's Noirwich Lecture, titled Reading with the Body.
Ward will examine the role of the body in crime, gothic and uncanny fiction before the launch of the UEA MA Crime Fiction anthology and a drinks reception.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
Caroline Davison: The Captain's Apprentice
- Wells Library, Wells-next-the-Sea
- 12pm
- £3, book by calling 01328 710467
Caroline Davison discusses her prize-winning book The Captain's Apprentice: Ralph Vaughan Williams and the Story of a Folk Song.
The talk explores the Norfolk folk song that captivated Vaughan Williams during a collecting trip to King's Lynn and traces the lives connected to the song, from fisherman James "Duggie" Carter to the cabin boy whose fate inspired its lyrics.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Caitlin Moran: How To Be Hopeful
- Epic Studios, Norwich
- 6.30pm
- From £43, book via Universe
Columnist and bestselling author Caitlin Moran comes to Norwich to discuss her new book How To Be Hopeful, with comedian and writer Sara Pascoe hosting the event.
The book charts Moran's attempts to find optimism through everyday actions after becoming overwhelmed by social media and the constant news cycle.
A question-and-answer session and book signing are included.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
An Evening of Dickens
- The Halls, Norwich
- 7pm
- Free, book via Ticket Source
Writer, actor and director David Lambert presents a dramatic reading inspired by Charles Dickens' appearances at St Andrew's Hall in 1859 and 1861.
Audience members can hear extracts from Nicholas Nickleby, accompanied by music, in a setting linked to Dickens' own performances in Norwich.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
The Turtle Who Turned the Tide: Raising Readers x Hachette Global Reading Day
- Castle Street, Norwich
- 11.30am
- Free, details via Waterstones
Families can join Waterstones Norwich for a storytime celebration of Rachel Bright and Jim Field's latest picture book, The Turtle Who Turned the Tide.
The event forms part of Raising Readers literacy weekend and includes colouring activities and other children's entertainment.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris: The Book of Birds
- Epic Studios, Norwich
- 6.30pm
- £19.85, book via Universe
Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris discuss their new collaboration The Book of Birds in conversation with Guardian writer and Norfolk Wildlife Trust president Patrick Barkham.
The book focuses on 49 British bird species facing decline and combines Macfarlane's writing with Morris's artwork.
The evening also includes audience questions and a signing session.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 TO SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Mannington Book Bash
- Mannington Hall
- Various times
- Prices vary, book via Mannington
Curated by Norwich bookshop The Book Hive, the Mannington Book Bash returns for a weekend of talks, interviews and events featuring writers, historians, poets and performers, including Delia Smith and Norman Lamb.
The festival also hosts hundreds of Norfolk primary school pupils through its schools programme, with every child attending receiving a free book from visiting author and illustrator Rob Biddulph.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Norfolk's Darkest Folklore
- Anteros Arts Foundation, Norwich
- 2pm to 4pm
- £10, book via Anteros
Historian and author Neil R Storey explores Norfolk's darker legends in a talk covering witches, ghosts, supernatural beliefs and cases of alleged murder by witchcraft.
Storey has written more than 50 books and is known for his work on social history and folklore.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
UEA Live: Janice Hallett
- The Enterprise Centre, UEA, Norwich
- 6.30pm
- From £6, book via Eventbrite
Bestselling crime writer Janice Hallett visits Norwich to discuss her latest novel The Silent Appeal.
The book revisits the amateur dramatic society at the centre of her breakthrough novel The Appeal, with fresh mysteries, rivalries and another death for readers to solve.
This article has been published as part of Born & Read in Norfolk – a year-long initiative highlighting the importance of reading and writing, delivered in partnership with the National Centre for Writing, headline sponsor RWE and sponsor YouGarden.
Follow the campaign throughout the year in our coverage and on social media using #BornAndRead2026 or get in touch at readingmatters@newsquest.co.uk
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