BerkoFest Book Festival

Back for its seventh year, BerkoFest Book Festival is returning on Sunday November 1st, with its usual exciting mixture of Internationally acclaimed names ranging from Sunday Times top-selling fiction and non-fiction writers to comedians to cartoonists to children authors, many of whom have won prizes and awards in their areas of expertise.

It's an amazing diverse mixture of talents, and they will be available for Q&A as part of their session and as well as book signing. The event will be hosted by Robin Ince and Nigel Barden.

A very limited number of early bird tickets are now on sale.

Renowned Speakers Include:

Alexei Sayle

Alexei is a comedian, actor, presenter and writer. His television work as a writer and performer includes The Young Ones, Alexei Sayle's Stuff, and The All New Alexei Sayle Show. He has appeared in numerous films, from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade to Gorky Park and Swing. His latest book is ‘How I Tried to Change the World’.

Joanne Harris

Joanne’s debut novel was the internationally acclaimed ‘Chocolat’ which became a film starring Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche. She has since written 20+ novels, of varying genres, screenplays and a stage musical. Her latest book is ‘Sleepers in the Snow’.

Lucia Osbourne-Crowley

Lucia Osborne-Crowley is an award-winning writer and journalist. Her latest book is the culmination of five years of court reporting. "The Lasting Harm: Witnessing the Trial of Ghislaine Maxwell" is an in-depth look at one of the most complex and high-profile US criminal cases in living memory. Lucia was one of only four court reporters allowed into the courtroom for every day of the Maxwell trial.

Athena Kugblenu

Athena is a stand up comedian, writer, podcaster and voice artist. Her writing credits include, ‘Horrible Histories’, ‘Late Night Mash’, ‘Dead Ringers’, The News Quiz’, and The Last Leg’. Her latest books include History’s Most Epic Fibs and History’s Most Epic Fails.

Ellen Jones

Ellen is an award-winning author, strategist & keynote speaker and works at the intersection of LGBTQ+ equality, neurodivergence, disability and culture. In 2026, Ellen’s book ‘Outrage’ was selected Book of the Month by the Booksellers Association.

Caroline Litman

Caroline Litman is a British writer, transgender rights activist, and former NHS psychiatrist known for campaigning to improve gender-affirming healthcare and mental health services in the UK. She became a public advocate following the tragic death of her 20-year-old trans daughter, Alice Litman, who died by suicide in 2022 after spending nearly three years on an NHS waiting list for her first gender identity clinic appointment. To document her family's experiences and process her grief, Litman authored a widely acclaimed memoir, "Her Name is Alice".

Ben Jennings

Ben is a Berkhamsted based cartoonist/illustrator. He is a regular political cartoonist for The Guardian and The i Paper and has worked on a variety of illustration projects worldwide. He has been named Political Cartoonist of the Year twice, and has just published his first collection, "Everything's on Fire! Here's Another Picture."

Robin Ince (Host)

Robin Ince is many things. A multi award winning comedian, author, broadcaster, bibliomaniac and a populariser of scientific ideas. As a stand up Robin has toured the world and as an author he has written four acclaimed books, including Bibliomaniac, which earned him the prestigious Booksellers Association Author of the Year award. His fifth, Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal was published in May 2025.

Nigel Barden (Host)

Nigel Barden is an acclaimed British food and drink broadcaster, critic, and journalist. He especially champions artisan produce. Additionally, Barden acts as a BBC rugby commentator and prominent food awards judge.

Ticket Information

There will only be all-day pass tickets sold for this event. Initially there will a limited number of early bird advance ticket available at £25. When they have sold out the all-day ticket price for advanced booking will be £30, and on the day the ticket price will be £35 [subject to capacity availability].

Venue Information

Refreshments will be available on-site but ticket holders will be allowed to bring their own limited amount of food and drink. As the venue is on Berkhamsted High Street there are ample pay for council car parks nearby and some limited free street parking. Also a number of coffee shops and a couple of supermarkets.

Terms

Each session will be photographed and recorded for a podcast. Buying a ticket affirms your consent to being photographed and being a participant of the podcast, as a member of the audience. So hurry buy now.

No refunds on any ticket purchased. No dogs are allowed at the venue unless guide dogs. The line-up is subject to change.