The Observer Debut Novelists at Cambridge Literary Festival

Cambridge Literary Festival's Spring Festival is just around the corner, with a host of brilliant writers and unmissable conversations planned. Highlights include Deborah Levy delivering the annual A Room of One's Own lecture inspired by Virginia Woolf's seminal work; Mary Berry sharing her latest book My Gardening Life; Ed Davey on why care and carers matter; newsreader Sophie Raworth on running; choreographer Wayne McGregor talking about physical intelligence; and a closing event with Zadie Smith on her dazzling essay collection Dead & Alive. Alongside all of these exciting names - and more! - coming to Cambridge, our annual Children’s Festival will return with authors and entertainers to delight and engage younger minds, and we're excited to launch a new Children's Zone that will offer drop-in storytelling, crafts, and activities throughout the weekend.

We're also delighted to be hosting a panel curated by The Observer, hosted by Literary Editor, Tom Gatti, highlighting some of the best new debut writing of 2026.

As a special offer to Observer subscribers, you can use the code ObserverDebutsS26 to get a full price ticket for the event for just £10.

We hope you'll join us there: https://www.cambridgeliteraryfestival.com/events/the-observers-debut-novelists-2026/