More celebrity guests announced for Liverpool Book Festival

Some big new names have just been added to the line-up for this year’s Liverpool Book Festival, taking place on Sunday 7 September 2025 at Invisible Wind Factory and Make CIC in the city’s North Docks.

Comedy legend Stan Boardman, SAS national hero Rusty Firmin and Liverpool actress Pauline Fleming will all be taking to the stage at Liverpool Book Festival for talks, signings and Q&As at what’s set to be the city’s biggest book festival to date.

More than 60 authors are taking part in the debut event, with a packed programme that includes panel discussions, live music, free creative workshops for all ages, street food, artisan market stalls and the chance to meet some of the region’s best-loved writers face-to-face.

Joining the bill of guest speakers, 87-year-old Stan Boardman will be talking about his new autobiography, which takes readers through his early life, personal struggles, time on the comedy circuit and career highs – all told with the same trademark humour that made him a household name.

Rusty Firmin, best known for leading one of the SAS teams in the dramatic 1980 Iranian Embassy siege, will also be in Liverpool to sign copies of his bestselling book Go! Go! Go! – the real-life story behind the hit film 6 Days.

And TV favourite Pauline Fleming, who’s appeared in Brookside, Coronation Street, Heartbeat and Doctors, will take part in an on-stage Q&A about her career and her latest theatre project, currently in development with Unity Theatre.

Other confirmed guests include Liverpool’s Lord Mayor Barbara Murray, local broadcasting icon Billy Butler, Sunday Times bestseller Caroline Corcoran, Amazon chart-topper Conrad Jones, horror writer Ramsey Campbell, Marvel creators Tim Quinn and Alan Cowsill, Beano artist Nigel Parkinson, comedian Gary Skyner, chef Dave Critchley and punk legend Phil Jones.

Organiser Justin Hopper from local mag and PR company La Vida Liverpool says the event is all about putting the spotlight on local talent and getting back to what books are really about – connection.

“In a world of cold online purchases and big corporate middle men, this is a brilliant chance to meet authors in person and support them directly,” he said. “We’ve got such a rich line-up – some truly iconic guests and a waiting list of authors who want to take part. I’m already planning a Christmas edition later this year.”

Tickets for the Liverpool Book Festival are just £10, with 20% of all sales going to local charity partners Builder Book and Inspiring Minds CIC.

The festival runs from 12pm to 5pm on Sunday 7 September at Invisible Wind Factory and Make CIC on Regent Road, L3 7DS.

Get your tickets here.

Keep up to date with events happening around the city region here.

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