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Harper Fire and the Cheltenham Literature Festival have revealed #BookTok and Beyond, an exclusive YA event and collaboration launching in October 2024 celebrating upcoming authors.
Harper Fire will have a dedicated space in the festival’s afternoon programming on 12th October with three themed sections: Romantasy with Rachel Greenlaw, Queer Representation with Leanne Egan and YA Graphic Novels with Salomey Doku.
All three authors will be interviewed by BookTok’s Callum Taylor, with the event introduced by Harper Fire senior commissioning editor Megan Reid. In between each conversation, ticket holders will be treated to video messages from upcoming Harper Fire authors who will introduce their 2025 publishing—both new and familiar faces.
The event will be followed by a signing in the dedicated Harper Fire space of the on-site Waterstones Bookshop, followed by a YA party for ticket holders, influencers, and media for their chance to meet the Harper Fire authors.
#BookTok and Beyond is set to become a bi-annual event with the next slated for Cheltenham Literature Festival’s 2026 programme, "establishing Harper Fire and Cheltenham’s own moment in the YA calendar for readers across the country", organisers said.
Harper Fire has promised "appearances from new and familiar faces, and meet these future YA stars at the post-show party".
Reid said: "We are absolutely thrilled to be collaborating with Cheltenham Literature Festival. To be aligned with one of the most respected and loved literary festivals in the world in Harper Fire’s first year is a testament to our authors’ exceptional writing and Cheltenham’s unwavering dedication and commitment to bringing new voices to their audiences. I could not be more delighted."
The Cheltenham Literature Festival’s programme manager for family and schools Loraine Evans said: "Celebrating and platforming new voices is at the very heart of Cheltenham Festivals’ mission, and we’re thrilled to have been able to collaborate with Harper Fire on this extra-special event. It’s a particular poignant year for us as we reflect on 75 years of the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, while championing the next generation of authors."