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 22nd March 2025 will be open to the public and FREE to all.
Join us for a keynote from award-winning poet, novelist and musician Anthony Joseph. Come and enjoy panel discussions and talks on Leicester folklore, the ethics of biofiction, gay modernism, science and screenwriting, workshops on writing the uncanny and world-building, craft activities for kids, and an open mic poetry reading. Plus literary agent 1-to-1s, and bookstalls galore!
Registrations are now open. Book your free ticket!
We have heaps of bookstalls from the finest independent publishers, including our wonderful final year students! Come and support them and enjoy oodles of free events:
- Keynote speech from Anthony Joseph
- Literary Agent Oli Munson will be offering 6 x one-to-ones (applications now open!)
- Take part in writing workshops with Giselle Leeb and Rod Duncan
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.
See the full programme online. Copies will be available on the day too! Please note, while we do our best to keep to the timings published here, changes are sometimes unavoidable.
