2025 ARCHIVE
What Went On
BeaconLit 2025 marked a year of fond farewells and fresh beginnings, with the festival moving to two venues very close to the library for which we fundraise. The day was split between Ivinghoe Town Hall and the Old School Community Hub just across the road, both LU7 9EP. The majority of events were held in the upstairs hall, with registration in the library, the writing workshop, breakout space and author signings in the hub, and a pop-up bookshop in both spaces. It was a very warm day with the sun shining from start to finish.
This year also saw a moment of transition for BeaconFlash, with Creasey & Co becoming the competition's new sponsor. We'd like to once again say thank you to Roy Chapman Ltd for their previous support, and wish them the best. Morgen Bailey has also concluded her role as judge of BeaconFlash with the end of the season, and we'd like to thank her for her many contributions over the years.
With this change, BeaconLit 2025 was abuzz with discussion and community spirit from first-time attendees and returning visitors. This was made all the better with an exceptional line-up of speakers, including our headliners Jane Casey (Maeve Kerrigan series), Abir Mukherjee (crime series Wyndham & Banerjee) and Lissa Evans (author and producer, inc. Father Ted).
Highlights
A highlight of the day was the continuation of the BeaconLit à la Carte, offering audiences a choice between two very different but inspiring sessions. In the Poetry Circle, moderator Clare Elstow led a rich conversation with poets Hannah Copley and Rachel Spence, with readings from all three. In the Hub, bestselling author and popular creative-writing teacher Julie Cohen delivered her lively workshop, creating a character from only a pen, blank paper and a coin.
A central theme of the day was Place. Joanna Miller, author of The Eights, shared how walking the streets of Oxford became fundamental to the world-building and authenticity of her debut historical fiction novel. The theme of place took a darker turn, with Abir Mukherjee and the Scene of the Crime panel (jokingly) debating where the best place to commit a murder would be. Mukherjee was a fantastic speaker who captured the audience's attention with his homorous and interesting discussion that switched between light-heartedness and seriousness.
Another memorable moment was Holly Gramazio's outline of her debut novel, The Husbands. Its premise sparked plenty of conversation on what it is to have an endlessly alterable life: that is, to have your husband change completely each time he goes into the attic, and what can really come from it.
The Programme
09:00–09:30 Registration
In the Library
09:30-09:35 Welcome
A short greeting in the Hall before the festival commences
09:35-10:25 New Voices
Dave Sivers speaks to
Holly Gramazio, Bill Randall and Joanna Miller
10:45-11:35 Your Choice
Poetry Circle moderated by Clare Elstow
with Rachel Spence and Hannah Copley
or Writing Workshop with Julie Cohen
11:55-12:45 Jane Casey
In conversation with Dave Sivers
12:45-13:10 Lunch
Collection from Daisychain Cafe
13:30–13:40 BeaconFlash
Competition winners announced
13:40–14:30 Abir Mukherjee
In conversation with Adina Campbell
14:50–15:30 Lissa Evans
in conversation with Harriet Queralt
16:00–16:50 Scene of the Crime
Denise Beddows speaks to
Abir Mukherjee, Ali Lowe and Steph Broadripp
17:20 Close
BeaconFlash Winners
We’re delighted to announce that the winners of the BeaconFlash short story competition are as follows:
We are grateful to Morgen, who is now stepping away from the competition, for all her hard work, to the entrants for submitting their stories, and to Roy Chapman Ltd of Tring for sponsoring BeaconFlash.
RESULTS:
FIRST PRIZE
Maureen's Time Machine and the Interdimensional Conundrum by Tracey Astell
SECOND PRIZE
Might I Catch Him in the Snow by Jane Ricot
THIRD PRIZE
World War Tea by Martin Barker
RUNNERS-UP:
In no particular order...
- The Usual Shape of Ghosts by Liam Cohen
- The Hippopotamus Who Learned to Swim by Penni Giuliani
- The Homecoming by Jane Broughton
- White Feather, Yellow Feather by Lynda Casserly
- What Goes Around, Comes Around by Sandra Falconer
Congratulations to all the winners and a massive thank you to everyone who submitted. Until next year!