About this Event
In March 2025, the literary world lost one of its leading lights. Alex Wheatle MBE was an award-winning British novelist who wrote for both young adult and adult audiences. His early years in a care home and later time in Pr*son never dimmed his creativity or drive and he went on to become one of Britain's most celebrated writers, and to receive an MBE for services to literature.
At the heart of Alex's work was his commitment to inspiring our next generation of writers, and to unlocking people’s creativity and ambition, no matter their background or walk of life.
Alex was a regular and generous supporter of Lambeth Libraries, and the Herne Hill based Stepping Into Stories Festival www.steppingintostories.org, inspiring thousands of children through his workshops and talks.
In honour and memory of his impact and his legacy, the 2026 Stepping Into Stories Kids' Lit Fest. in partnership with Lambeth Libraries, will be hosting a special, commemorative Alex Wheatle Memorial Event at Brixton Library on Wednesday 4th February. Following fun sessions with young people we will celebrate Alex’s life and work. This event will feature multi-award-winning authors who have been influenced by Alex, reading from his work and sharing recollections of his influence. Members of Alex's family have also been invited.
Centrepiece of this event will be the unveiling and official re-naming of a room as the ‘Alex Wheatle Reading Room' at the library, where future generations of readers and writers will find a space to develop their own creative practice, away from the pressures of the world, and to keep his legacy of 'writing for all' alive.
This event will launch Lambeth Libraries National Year of Reading programme and also the new Black Classic Literature Collection which brings together timeless works in a curated selection of novels, essays, memoirs, and poetry.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Brixton Library, Brixton Oval, London, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
