States of Independence is an annual one-day festival that celebrates indie publishing. Now in its 15th year, States 24 will be hosted by the Leicester Centre for Creative Writing at DMU and our industry partner, Dahlia Books. As ever, our ‘Book Festival In a Day’ on Saturday 8th June 2024 will be open to the public and FREE to all. Our keynote speaker this year is Louise Doughty.

Join us for an hour or the whole day. Attend lots of events – you will be spoiled for choice – or just one, or simply come along and browse the stalls to see what the independent sector has to offer. You can now register for this year’s States of Independence festival on Ticket Tailor.

The theme is Writing Beyond the Page: on the screen, in the galleries, in archives, in music, in collaboration.

We have heaps of bookstalls from the finest Independence publishers, including our wonderful final year students! See the festival programme for more details.

Credit: Ambrose Musiyiwa, taken from States 2019

If you’re a small press publisher, zine maker or indie author why not join us? Fill out our stall booking form to reserve your stall. NOW CLOSED.

In the meantime please visit our online portal:

Festival Book Hub

Small Press Hall

Nook & Cranny Books

Poets’ Corridor

Authors’ Alcove

DEMON Students’ Den