The Coastal Crime Fiction Festival takes place on Saturday 6 March 2027 at the Leonardo Royal Hotel Southampton Grand Harbour.

The main festival programme runs from 9am–6pm, followed by our evening drinks reception from 6–8pm.

The festival brings together crime-fiction readers, authors and publishing professionals for a full day of author conversations, panels and publishing events across our Main Hall and Industry Hub.

No. Festival panels, talks and other sessions will not be recorded or live-streamed.

A photographer and videographer will be working at the festival to capture content for Coastal Crime’s promotional and marketing purposes, but full sessions will not be recorded.

We also ask attendees not to record or publicly share festival sessions without permission.

Yes. Coastal Crime Presents is our new programme of smaller crime-fiction events taking place throughout the year.

Our first series is being delivered with Southampton Central Library, bringing crime and thriller writers together for affordable author conversations, themed panels and audience Q&As in the run-up to the festival.

The programme has been designed to give readers access to live author events at a low ticket price while also creating more opportunities for crime writers in and around the South.

Full event details and tickets can be found on our Coastal Crime Presents page.

Yes. We’re currently finalising the date for Coastal Crime 2028 and will open our formal call for speakers once this has been confirmed.

In the meantime, authors, publishers and publicists can join our 2028 Speaker Interest List to be notified as soon as the Expression of Interest form goes live.

Joining the list is not an application to appear at the festival and does not guarantee a place in the programme. Once the call for speakers opens, you’ll be sent details of how to put yourself, or an author you represent, forward for consideration.

Full Festival Passes include access to the complete festival programme across both the Main Hall and Industry Hub, tea and coffee throughout the day, a buffet lunch, and entry to our evening drinks reception from 6–8pm, including a glass of Prosecco and canapés.

Day Tickets include access to all Main Hall and Industry Hub sessions, as well as tea and coffee and the buffet lunch. Day Tickets conclude when the main festival programme finishes at 6pm and do not include the evening drinks reception.

Half-Day Tickets are also available for those who would prefer to attend for part of the day. Please check the individual ticket information for session times and details of what is included with each ticket type.

Yes. If you require the support of an essential companion, carer or personal assistant in order to attend Coastal Crime, Essential Companion Tickets are available.

Please contact us before booking so that we can discuss your requirements and arrange the appropriate ticket.

If you have any other accessibility requirements, please let us know and we will be happy to discuss how we can support your visit.

No. The programme for Coastal Crime 2027 is now full, and we are unable to accept any further author or speaker submissions.

We have been delighted by the level of interest in the festival and already have a substantial reserve list should any spaces become available.

We are currently working on plans for Coastal Crime Festival 2028 and will announce the date as soon as arrangements are confirmed.

Once the date is set, we will open a Speaker Expression of Interest form for authors, publishing professionals and other potential contributors who would like to be considered for the programme.

Please note that submitting an expression of interest will not guarantee inclusion in the festival programme, and programming decisions for 2028 will not begin until after Coastal Crime 2027 has taken place.

Sign up to the Coastal Crime newsletter and follow us on social media to make sure you don’t miss the announcement.

Yes. We welcome expressions of interest from crime writers, interviewers, moderators and hosts who would like to be considered for future Coastal Crime Presents events.

Events are programmed around particular authors, themes and subjects, so submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee an invitation. However, it allows us to learn more about you, your work and the kinds of events you’d be interested in taking part in.

As Coastal Crime Presents is designed to provide affordable events for readers, arrangements regarding speaker fees, expenses and travel will vary between events. We will always discuss these with you before confirming participation.

Coastal Crime’s own year-round crime-fiction events are offered through Coastal Crime Presents.

For authors interested in a wider range of opportunities beyond crime fiction, Author Events is a separate initiative building a supportive author community through author meet-ups, book clubs, workshops and speaking opportunities.

Author Events currently has a strong presence in Dorset and is continuing to develop its programme more widely.

Yes. Volunteers play an important role in helping Coastal Crime run smoothly, and we’re very grateful to everyone who has offered their time and support.

You can currently register your interest in volunteering. Registration does not guarantee a volunteer position, but it means we can contact you as roles and requirements are finalised.

Further information will be provided to successful volunteers ahead of the festival.

Yes. All festival sessions will take place on the ground floor of the Leonardo Royal Hotel Southampton Grand Harbour.

We are working with the hotel to provide detailed accessibility information for attendees, which will be added to our Plan Your Visit information ahead of the festival.

If you have specific accessibility requirements, please contact us before attending so that we can help make the appropriate arrangements.

Information about getting to the festival, parking, public transport, accommodation and making the most of your visit to Southampton can be found on our Plan Your Visit page.

We’ll continue adding practical information as we get closer to the festival.