Books & Literature in Paignton

A Puzzling Problem: A Locked Room Mystery

The young adventurers, Tommy and Tuppence, need your help. They have been framed for murder and need you to solve the mystery and find the true killer before th…

Paignton Library & Information Centre, Paignton

New

Poetry in Motion - two poetry workshops

Two Poetry Workshops with Chris Woodhouse (Palace Theatre's Creative Writing Tutor)Two Poetry Workshops withChris Woodhouse (Palace Theatre's Creative Writing T…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Tamsin Winter - Book Club

Join us in person for an virtual talk and Q&A with the award-winning author and Queen of Teen, Tamsin Winter.

Paignton Library & Information Centre, Paignton

New

Torbay Literary Festival: Kathy Lette, Unleashed on Torbay

11:00-13:00 Monday 10th August 2026 28.00Kathy Lette is a force of nature. The Australian and British author came to prominence in 1979 with her novel Puberty B…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Su Pollard - More than just a Yellowcoat

Su Pollard - More than just a Yellowcoat14:30-16:30 Monday 10th August 2026 (Main Stage) 28.00Su Pollard is probably best known for her role in the sitcom, play…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Sarah Pearse

Sarah Pearse: Opening Author Event Local author Sarah Pearse has taken the literary world by storm.

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Local Poetry Showcase

LOCAL POETRY SHOWCASE Brixham-based poets John and Susie Miles will entertain you with a selection of their work.

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Paul Burrell Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana

Paul Burrell Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana For over two decades Paul Burrell was the silent witness to history first as footman to Queen Eliz…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Readers Theatre - Sea-themed adventures

Readers Theatre: Sea-themed adventures for 6-11 year olds (limited to 120 people) Join us for an interactive, sea-themed Readers Theatre experience.

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Open Mic

Open Mic. Hosted by Ella Hall Are you brave enough to read out your work to an audience.

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Stephanie Austin, The Other Queen of Devon Murder Mysteries

09:15-10:15 Tuesday 11 August 2026 Stephanie Austin The Other Queen of Devon Murder Mysteries. South Devon has a long history of strong female authors, from Aga…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Crime at the Sharp End

'Crime at the Sharp End.Join Professor Richard Handy FRSB, a pathologist and leading expert on chemical poisons, and an expert witness.

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Christopher Biggins There is nothing like a Dame

19:30-21:30 Tuesday 11 August 2026 (Main Stage) 28.00 Christopher Biggins There is nothing like a Dame. Some people need no introduction.

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: John Hegley: New and Selected Potatoes

John Hegley: New and Selected Potatoes New and Selected Potatoes is the spud-in-cheek title of the compilation of 10 volumes of work by poet, comic, singer, son…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Ann Widdecombe

11:00-13:00 Wednesday 12 August 2026 (Main Stage) 28.00 Ann Widdecombe will talk both about her life and her writing. Few politicians are as well known or well…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Louis Barfe

09:15-10:15 Wednesday 12 August 2026 (Main Stage) Louis Barfe presents an insightful and hilarious insight in the world of light entertainment. Louis Barfe is p…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Melvyn Hayes

Melvyn Hayes Still with us and making us laugh Few people can be genuinely called a Living Comedy Legend but Melvyn Hayes certainly warrants that title.

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Keeping the Reader Guessing

Keeping the Reader Guessing Thriller writer Miranda Ramphul discusses with crime writers Caroline Serpall , Helena Dixon and Abi Yardimci how they create tensio…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: The Second Coming of David Bowie

19:00-20:00 Alexander Larman will discuss his acclaimed book, Lazarus, which explores David Bowies final years, including commercial failures to 21st century cr…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Georgina Moore

09:15-10:15 Thursday 13 August 2026 Georgina Moore will discuss her hugely popular novels The Garnett Girls and River of Stars The Sunday Times bestselling nove…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Lady Ann Glenconner, Manners and Mischief

11:00-13:00 Thursday 13 August 2026 28.00 Lady Ann Glenconner, Princess Margarets Lady-in-Waiting and a Maid of Honour at Queen Elizabeth IIs Coronation, offers…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Merlin Holland

Merlin Holland Oscar Wildes only grandson offers his insight into his grandfathers life, and most uniquely after-life. Fans of Oscar Wilde will never have a gre…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Cruel and Unusual

CRUEL AND UNUSUAL - Are Writers Worse than the Characters they Create? Morgen Witzel and Helena Dixon lead a discussion with fellow crime writers David Sharp, M…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Chris Manby and Simon Robinson

09:15-10:15 Thursday 14 August 2026 Chris Manby and Simon Robinson speak about War Babies the extraordinary stories of the forgotten children of World War Two.…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Roger McGough Alive and Gigging

Roger McGough Alive and Gigging Roger McGough is probably our greatest and certainly most popular living poet.

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Break your writers block

BREAK YOUR WRITERS BLOCK Creative Writing workshop with Chris Manby Whether you're an aspiring or experienced writer, you've doubtless had days when the words j…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Final Open Mic

Open Mic. Hosted by Ella Hall Are you brave enough to read out your work to an audience.

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Lesley Pearse A life lived to the full

Lesley Pearse A life lived to the full Lesley Pearse lives in Torquay and is a British novelist with global sales of over 10 million copies.

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Helen Lederer

Helen Lederer The third funniest woman in the world Dawn French Helen Lederer is one of the most recognisable female comics on television.

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: A.N Wilson, The Wise and Their Works

The Wise and Their Works celebrates the 175th anniversary of the Great Exhibition in 2026.The men who inspired the Great Exhibition of 1851 - Henry Cole, Sir Ro…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Georgia Toffolo The World According to Toff

Georgia Toffolo The World According to Toff Georgia Toffolo is adored by millions.

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Andrew Wilson the enduring mystery of Marilyn Monroe

Andrew Wilson the enduring mystery of Marilyn Monroe Andrew Wilsons new book, I Wanna Be Loved By You is a groundbreaking new biography of the enduring enigmati…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Hunter Davies The Beatles and Me

Hunter Davies The Beatles and Me Hunter Davies is not only one of our most accomplished journalists, and author of more than 100 books, but also the only person…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Iwan Carrington Clean in 15

Iwan Carrington Clean in 15 Iwan Carrington (a.k.a Mr Carrington) is a presenter and Youtuber, probably best known as the cleaning guru on award winning BBC ser…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Mike Pickering - Manchester Must Dance

Mike Pickering Manchester Must Dance Mike Pickering is one of the greatest musical pioneers to emerge from Manchester.

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Hunter Davies Beatles Quiz

Hunter Davies Beatles Quiz Join the Beatles only authorised biographer for a unique quiz on the greatest ever band.

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Dame Harriet Walter in Conversation

Dame Harriet Walter in Conversation Dame Harriet Walter is one of our most acclaimed actresses, both on screen and stage.

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Torbay Literary Festival: Craig Brown Satirist, humourist and biographer

Craig Brown Satirist, humourist and biographerBest known for his four decades of satirical writing, most regularly since 1989, in his parodic Private Eye Diarie…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Write Time, Write Place: a ten Week Creative Writing Course [ to Wednesdays]

Running weekly as part of a ten-week course (each Wednesday), from 16 September to 18 November, 10.15am to 12.30pmOur popular ten-week course with Chris Woodhou…

Palace Theatre, Paignton

Laundry

4 characters, 4 stories Laundry is written by the Palace Theatres resident creative writing teacher Chris Woodhouse.

Palace Theatre, Paignton