A World on Fire: Sunny Singh and Leone Ross

What does it mean to tell the truth in a time of war, displacement and cultural erasure – and how do we hold space for tenderness while doing it? Join award-winning novelist, academic and activist Sunny Singh in conversation with acclaimed author Leone Ross for a searing and timely exploration of fiction as resistance, remembrance and radical care.

In her new collection Refuge: Stories of War (and Love), Singh brings to life people shaped by violence and survival – with nuance, compassion and an insistence on truth. In a world ablaze with conflict – from Gaza to Ukraine to Sudan – and as refugee stories are politicised or silenced, this event asks who gets to speak and how we bear witness responsibly.

Together, Singh and Ross will explore trauma-informed storytelling, the contested space for writers of colour in publishing, and the urgent need to move beyond tokenism toward equity, complexity and care. Singh is also the founder of the Jhalak Prize, Britain’s premier literary award for writers of colour, dedicated to championing voices too often excluded from the cultural conversation. Essential for readers, writers, and all who believe in the power of story – not to fix a broken world, but to honour the lives within it.

Please note: this event lasts for one hour, followed by an opportunity to purchase the book upstairs in The Clearing and have it signed by the author

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Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.

We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.

And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.

There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.

We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.

We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year's festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.