Brighton writers
With its inspirational sea air and laid back, creative atmosphere many writers have chosen Brighton as a base from which to write.
Check out our Top 10 Brighton Writers below or browse through the 'Find out More' section to explore more about Brighton writers past and present.
Top 10 Brighton Writers
- Rudyard Kipling - One of Brighton's most famous residents, Kipling moved to Rottingdean in 1897, where he produced some of his most revered and memorable works: including Kim and the Just So Stories. Visit The Grange Museum in Rottingdean to see the fascinating Kipling Room, which includes a reconstruction of the study from his house in the village: The Elms.
- Enid Bagnold - Enid Bagnold was most famous for writing the book National Velvet, which was filmed in 1944 with Elizabeth Taylor on the lead role. She lived at North End House in Rottingdean, the garden of which inspired her play The Chalk Garden.
- Patrick Hamilton - Brighton set Hangover Square is often seen as Hamilton's most accomplished work. He was well-regarded by Graham Greene and J. B. Priestley and two of his most successful plays, Rope and Gas Light, were made into Hitchcock films.
- Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray - Dickens was once a resident at Brighton's oldest hotel, The Old Ship, where he wrote Dombay and Son. Thackeray also party wrote Vanity Fair whilst staying at the hotel.
- Julie Burchill- Brighton's very own Sarah Jessica Parker, Julie Burchill has almost certainly chronicled Brighton's growth more than any other journalist. Ex NME journo, aficionado of 70s and 80s punk London and columnist for The Times, Burchill is a mainstay of modern day Brighton and author of, among others, Sugar Rush and Made in Brighton.
- Jeff Noon - Noon relocated to Brighton in 2000 in search of a new muse. Enjoying the artistic scene and sense of community Brighton offers, Noon's novels are seen as part science fiction, part fantasy and part surrealism. Novels include Vurt, Pollen and Automated Alice.
- Alison Macleod- Canadian born Macleod now lives permanently in Brighton and is author of the critically acclaimed novel The Changeling.
- Emily Gravett - In 2004, Emily submitted Wolves to the Macmillan Prize for Illustration, and won. Wolves, a picture book for children, went on to receive rave reviews, winning the Nestle Children's Book Prize Bronze Award in 2005, as well as the Kate Greenaway medal. Emily continues to produce picture books from her attic in Brighton.
- Nick Cave - Australian born Nick Cave is a permanent resident in Hove, where he lives with his family. Musician and member of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Nick Cave is also a published author.
- Peter James - Best selling crime writer Peter James lives in nearby Lewes and once said he wished he'd written Brighton Rock by Graham Greene!
Want to find out more about Brighton writers?
Check out the resources below:
- The Brighton Writer Line - Past. Find out about authors with a strong connection to Brighton, who either lived in and around Brighton, were born in the area or wrote books with a strong connection to Brighton and East Sussex.
- The Brighton Writer Line - Present. Find out about current authors with a strong connection to Brighton.
- Brighton Writers Deckchair Interviews - Read interviews with some of Brighton's writers and out why Brighton is such an inspiration.
- New Brighton Writing - Be the first to read unpublished material from Brighton and Hove writers.
- Charleston Festival - Once home to the Bloomsbury Group, Charleston opens its grounds to a corucopia of heavyweight writers and artists every year, as part of the Brighton Festival. A must for lovers of all things literary...
