Join renowned re-enactor and multi-genre author Christian Cameron and Historical European Martial Arts practitioner Emma Burnett as they demonstrate and discuss the techniques for fighting – and how to write it.

Christian and Emma will demonstrate historical, practical techniques with various weapons and then deconstruct the techniques to discuss how to write them in several different styles.  Can you grab a blade without being cut? How can you disarm a skilled sword person? How can you throw someone to the ground? How should Captain America use that round shield? From 1600 BCE to 1800 and Bridgerton, these are the real thing.

Christian Cameron has written more than 50 books across multiple genres, including science fiction and fantasy as Miles Cameron. His historical experience has led him to work with national governments to stage full-scale re-enactments of key historical battles to support archaeological research and promote cultural awareness. His latest novel, Soulstealer, is released 8^th October 2026. Dr Emma Burnett is a researcher and writer of science communication and science fiction. Her debut novella, Ex Partum, is available now.

So much women’s fiction centres youth, first love, and coming‑of‑age. But desire at 40, 50, 60+ is just as potent — often more so, because it’s layered with history, grief, and self‑knowledge.

Furthermore, society tends to treat women over 40 as if they fade into the background — especially queer women, who are already pushed to the margins. Older queer women deserve stories where they’re not side characters, mentors, or comic relief. They deserve to be messy, sensual, complicated, and central — challenging the idea that growth is only for the young.

Explore a selection of books from a diverse range of genres at the Rugby Literary Festival Book Fair. Meet a range of brilliant authors both from the local area and from further afield! With over
20 author stands, there is something for everyone.

Back, after its popular debut at the 2025 festival, and again hosted by local performer and writer Ian Fisermanis as his alter ego “BusyMrFizzy”, enjoy a free night out featuring a selection of incredible spoken word art.

Expect laughter, tension, emotional journeys and storytelling through thought-provoking pieces performed by an array of poets, spoken word performers, actors, comics and writers. Open to anyone 18 years and over, you can just take a seat and let your night get randomly interrupted by performances, or sign up before, or on the night, and take part yourself.

You can read out your favourite song lyrics, something in a language other than English, perform your favourite poem or one you wrote yourself. Something close to your heart, or something that hits your funny bone.

This is a community based event open to all walks of life. If you would like to read or perform something you have written, or if there is someone else’s work you’d love to introduce to the world, please email [email protected] to get involved. No experience needed, no rules or limits applied to what you want to do, just speak.

Join Rugby Library for a storytelling session. Perfect for young children and their families, this interactive half-hour event will bring stories to life through engaging narration, imagination and fun. Whether you’re a regular library visitor or joining us for the festival, this is a fantastic opportunity to spark a love of stories and creativity in young readers. 

Please note: Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.

No booking is required.

Join our award-winning volunteer Town Guide on a journey of discovery through Rugby Town Centre. Find out about Rugby’s many links to famous writers and visit the locations connected to them. Meet by Rugby Visitor Centre. The walking tour is fully accessible.

Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.

Please book via the link.

What happens when a map stops being a guide and becomes part of the adventure itself? This talk explores the creation of a comic trail map that reimagined the traditional event map as an illustrated story. Rather than following roads and symbols on a page, participants navigated by recognising landmarks woven into the narrative, encouraging them to explore familiar surroundings with fresh eyes. The result was a trail where discovery became part of the journey, transforming navigation into an act of curiosity. The session follows the project’s development from the initial concept to the finished publication, examining the creative decisions behind blending storytelling, illustration and practical wayfinding into a single experience. It also reveals how custom software enabled a marriage of technology and art, opening new creative possibilities while ensuring the final work remained driven by human imagination and editorial judgement. Ultimately, this is a story about questioning what an event trail map can be. By turning a functional guide into the heart of the experience, the project invited people not simply to find their way, but to rediscover the place around them through narrative, exploration and play.