Stories thrive on community. Since the dawn of time, storytelling has always been at the heart of human connection. Stories bind us. Stories challenge us. Stories remind us that we are never truly alone. Stories have the power to transform. One way to experience the collective power that lies in the nucleus of stories is through curated events—gatherings made specifically for story lovers (bookworms) and story creators (writers). Conclaves designed to spark conversations, celebrate stories and bring like-minded persons together. That is why UEA Live exists.   

 For writers and book lovers alike, UEA Live provides a space where stories can live, where voices can be heard and where creativity is celebrated. As a literary festival based on campus, UEA Live welcomes some of the world’s finest writers and thinkers to Norwich yearly. This year is no exception. There is a lineup of astounding writers from February 12 to May 15.   

The first author, Emma Healey, will be on campus on Wednesday 12th February. She is a UEA alumni and best-selling author of Elizabeth is Missing. Healey studied her MA in Creative Writing at UEA in 2010 and went on to write Whistle in the Dark and Elizabeth is Missing, which was a Sunday Times Bestseller, won the Costa First Novel Award, and was made into a BBC film.  

Her homecoming to campus to discuss her new novel Sweat will also be an inspiration to student writers who dream of having their works published.   

Other incredible writers lined up this season are: 

Writer and broadcaster Simon Mayo MBE following the release of his latest novel Black Tag. Mayo’s previous books include the Sunday Times bestseller Knife Edge, the Times Thriller of the Year Tick Tock, and the Itch trilogy, which was adapted into a TV series in 2020. Known for hosting Top of the Pops, Simon now hosts ‘Drivetime’ on Greatest Hits Radio and ‘The Take’, a film-review podcast with Professor Mark Kermode.  

This event is on Saturday 1st March.  

Natasha Brown follows soon after for an in-conversation about her newest work Universality. Named one of Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists in 2023, Brown’s debut novel Assembly was shortlisted for awards including the Folio Prize, the Goldsmiths Prize and the Orwell Prize for Fiction.  

This event is on Monday 17th March.  

Author and food writer Kate Young rounds off the season to talk about her first novel Experienced– a queer romcom set in Bristol. Young is known for her award-winning Little Library Cookbooks which feature recipes inspired by beloved works of literature.  

This event is on Thursday 15th May.  

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