Indie Lit Con Returns to Manchester

By John Freeman on 23 July 2026 • ( 0 )

Indie Lit Con - Manchester 2026 starts at 10.00am, Saturday 15th August 15th, Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, Portland Street, Manchester M1 4PH

After the success of previous events, Phoenix Events are gearing up for this year’s Indie Lit Con at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester next month.

Taking place on Saturday 15th August 2026, Indie Lit Con, described as “ultimate celebration of independent literature”, is the rebranded name of the previously known Books on the Beach events, featuring over 60 authors from across the globe under one roof.

The authors attending write a wide mix of genres, particularly romance, but the lineup also includes fantasy authors such as Sharon Jackson, MA Knights, Wendy Larking (whose new novel, The Book of Secrets and Shadows, launches in October), and Lucy May Smith.

Indie Lit Con - Manchester 2026 - Guest Lineup

Authors solely using AI to “create” books, not simply using it as a tool to hone their work, are explicitly excluded. This is the first UK creative event we have seen to detail its policy on AI generated work.

Indie authors, readers, and book lovers can expect a day packed with inspiring panels, author meet-and-greets, book signings, and networking opportunities. The event should appeal to aspiring writers, seasoned indie authors, or simply anyone passionate about discovering fresh voices.

“Indie Lit Con is your chance to connect, create, and celebrate the vibrant world of indie publishing,” say the Phoenix Events team.

• Indie Lit Con – Manchester 2026 starts at 10.00am, Saturday 15th August 15th, Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, Portland Street, Manchester M1 4PH | Tickets available here

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.