love lit fest 2025
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Love Lit Fest is a new, vibrant, diverse & inclusive, online literary festival presented by Hashtag BLAK, the festival features a stellar line-up of authors from underrepresented backgrounds, spotlighting Black, Asian, queer, neurodivergent, and feminist narratives. From romantic and queer love to sibling bonds, self-love, neurodivergent joy, and friendship—Love Lit Fest offers an inclusive space to honour the stories that shape us.
A Star-Studded, Best-Selling Line-Up with bestselling names like Jennifer Niven, Katherine Webber, and Danielle Jawando, plus rising stars and award-winners across genres, the event blends heart, talent, and representation.
This is not just a series of talks. Love Lit Fest includes interactive workshops, intimate conversations between authors, and powerful storytelling that puts love—and the people who write about it—at the heart.
Taking place entirely online, the event is affordable, global, and community-driven. Early bird tickets are now available, with optional 1-2-1 upgrade sessions for a separate Q&A with the founders Abiola Bello and Helen Lewis.
Whether you're a reader or writer, join us for a heartwarming celebration of love beyond the pages.
Date: September 20th 2025
Time: 1pm (BST)
Where: Online!
Tickets: Buy HERE
Early bird tickets available
Author line up!
Jennifer Niven, NY Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places, Holding Up The Universe
Katherine Webber, bestselling author of Twin Crowns and Captain of Fates
Abiola Bello, bestselling and award-winning author of Love in Winter Wonderland and The Love Dare
Danielle Jawando, award-winning author of When Our Worlds Collided which won The Diverse Book Awards, Jhalak Prize and YA Book Prize and If My Words Had Wings, shortlisted for the YA Book Prize.
Anika Hussain, author of This is How You Fall in Love which was shortlisted for the YA Book Prize and Heart Breaker
Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of The ReWrite and Yinka, Where Is Your Husband? which was shortlisted for The Diverse Book Awards
Jinwoo Chong, award-winning author of I Leave It Up to You and Flux, a New York Times Editor’s Choice, and named a best book of 2023 by Apple Books
Radhika Sanghani, award-winning journalist and author of Here to Slay, shortlisted for the Spark Book Award
B Wheeler, debut author of How NOT to Kiss a Prince
Panels and workshops (timings to be confirmed)
Love Yourself First: SelfLove & Inner Romance with Danielle Jawando and Radhika Sanghani
True love begins within. From spokenword healing to forging radical self-worth, Danielle and Radhika deliver an empowering conversation on selflove. They’ll explore how self-acceptance can arise out of grief, silence negative voices, and blossom into joy—offering attendees insights into building a foundation of inner love that strengthens every relationship.
Heartfelt Journeys: Swoon and Heartbreaks with Abiola Bello & Anika Hussain
From meet-cutes to fake dates, heartbreak to healing—Abiola and Anika explore how YA romance reflects real teen emotions. With stories that centre Black and South Asian protagonists, cultural identity, and joyful self-expression, this panel celebrates why love stories for young people matter more than ever… and the importance of the ‘com’ in YA rom-com.
Enchanted Hearts: Love in Fantasy Worlds with Katherine Webber and B Wheeler
From magical kingdoms to forbidden kisses, Katherine and B. Wheeler explore the joy of writing romance in fantastical settings. This panel dives into world building with heart, queer love stories with sparkle, and why magical alternate realities can be the perfect setting to let romance run wild.
Back to You: SecondChance Sparks with Jinwoo Chong & Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
What happens when life gives you another shot at love? Jinwoo and Lizzie explore the beauty, awkwardness, and power of second chances—whether it’s rediscovering who you are or reigniting something you thought was lost forever. This panel dives into stories where old flames spark new beginnings.
Writing the Intimate Moment: YA Romance Scenes with New York Times bestselling YA author Jennifer Niven
Jennifer will guide attendees through crafting emotionally true, scene by scene, YA romance—whether it’s a sizzling first kiss or a tender confession.
PLUS...
Would you like the chance to have a 1-2-1 with Love Lit Festival Founders and co-directors of Hashtag BLAK - award-winning author Abiola Bello and prize-winning publicist Helen Lewis? Upgrade your ticket to get a (up to 45 mins) 1-2-1 strategy session/private Q&A with Abiola and Helen in the weeks after the Love Lit Fest (online on Zoom). Limited numbers! Price includes the 1-2-1 and entry to Love Lit Fest!