Event details
Available 19 and 20 September in the Festival Hub.
Entry included with a festival pass. Seats available on a first come, first served basis.
The Writers' Room offers a valuable opportunity for aspiring writers to gain a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry through a series of informative interviews with authors and publishing experts.
This free, open-access space is designed for anyone curious about the writing business, and offers a relaxed environment where visitors can drop in at any time and stay as long as they wish.
Each day, catch a rolling series of interviews featuring an author, publicist, publisher, editor or literary agent. Each session will share practical insights into their role in bringing a book to life.
From developing a manuscript and securing representation to navigating submissions, marketing and publication, these conversations aim to make the journey from desk to bookshelf feel more transparent and achievable, giving confidence to aspiring authors.
Whether you’re just starting your first chapter or getting ready to submit your work, The Writers' Room brings together expert advice, honest experiences, and valuable guidance, all in one place.
Provisional Timetable
Saturday 19 September
Each interview lasts approximately 20 minutes.
Time | Guest | Profession |
11am | Meg Mason | Author |
11.55am | Allegra Le Fanu | Publisher - Bloomsbury |
1pm | Katherine McMahon | Author |
1.40pm | Nicky Dunne | Bookseller |
2.20pm | Alison Barrow | Publicist - Penguin Random House |
3pm | Greg Mosse | Author |
3.40pm | Lee Child | Author |
Sunday 20 September
Each interview lasts approximately 20 minutes.
Time | Guest | Profession |
11am | Nussaibah Younis | Author |
11.55am | Emma Harrow | Literary PR |
12.20pm | Sheila Crowley | Agent - Curtis Brown |
1pm | Lizzy Moore | Author |
1.40pm | Hayley Camis | Publicist - Bloomsbury |
2.20pm | Emily Rhodes | Founder of Bookbanks |
3pm | Jennifer Saint | Author |
Ticket information
Festival Pass - must be booked in advance
£25 per person
A festival pass includes entry to Chatsworth House, Garden, and Farmyard on the day of your visit, plus access to the Festival Hub.
In the Hub, you'll find The Writers' Room, The Poetry Room, Bookshop Signing Tents, and a Catering Village.
Festival passes include free parking for one vehicle per transaction.
Talk Tickets - must be booked in advance
£20 per talk (plus £25 for a festival pass)
The Festival offers the opportunity to hear from a range of world-class published authors and special guests.
To attend a talk, you must purchase a festival pass plus a ticket for each talk you wish to attend.
All talk tickets and festival passes must be booked in advance.
Festival Universal Credit Tickets
We want as many people as possible to experience Chatsworth and The Queen's Reading Room Festival.
Universal Credit Tickets are available for selected talks and entry to the Festival Hub.
Discover more...
The Queen's Reading Room Festival 2026
19 & 20 September 2026
A literary festival like no other, uniting literature enthusiasts for a weekend dedicated to celebrating the written word.
Lee Child and Special Guests
19 September 2026 - sorry, sold out
Reading and Rehabilitation
Four bestselling authors, Lee Child, Ken Follett, Kate Mosse, and Jojo Moyes, reunite to discuss the transformational power of literature and storytelling.
Separate ticketed evening event. No festival pass required.
The Queen's Reading Room Festival Afternoon Teas
19 & 20 September 2026
Add an elegant afternoon tea in the Old Duke's Glasshouse in the Chatsworth Garden to your Festival experience.
Please note: Please be aware that for technical, operational or safety reasons, some facilities may be removed or closed, or entertainment and event timetables cancelled and/or altered at any time, including at short notice. Chatsworth reserves the right to change the programme of attractions and entertainment if, at any time, it is deemed necessary or appropriate to do so, this may also include closing attractions or areas of the estate. We apologise in advance for any disappointment caused should this need arise.
Timetables are provisional and may be subject to change. Images show the 2025 event and are for illustration only.
