For Journalists · Editors · Broadcasters · Bloggers
Everything you need to cover the 19th edition of the UK's longest-running annual literary festival — curated by Dua Lipa, coinciding with the Southbank Centre's 75th anniversary.
Section 01 — Key Facts
The essential facts for any piece of coverage — verified, accurate, and ready to use.
Section 02 — Approved Quotes
The following quotes are approved for use in editorial coverage of the London Literature Festival 2026. All quotes marked "Approved" may be used without further clearance.
Section 03 — Standard Copy
Use these pre-approved descriptions in listings, event guides, and round-ups. Each is copy-ready.
Section 04 — For Journalists
House style, common errors, and naming conventions to ensure accurate coverage.
✓ DO: "London Literature Festival" — always include "London"
✓ DO: "LLF" — acceptable abbreviation on second reference
✓ DO: "the 19th edition" or "2026 edition"
✗ DON'T: "the Literature Festival" — too generic; could refer to any festival
✗ DON'T: "the Southbank Literature Festival" — not the official name
✗ DON'T: Describe it as a "Southbank Centre event" without naming the festival
✓ DO: "guest curator" — her official title
✓ DO: "programmes the opening weekend" — accurate description of her role
✓ DO: "Service95 Book Club founder" — acceptable secondary description
✗ DON'T: "headlines the festival" — she curates; she may or may not perform
✗ DON'T: "Dua Lipa's festival" — she curates one element; the Southbank Centre organises
✗ DON'T: Describe Service95 as a "podcast" — it is a newsletter platform that includes a podcast
✓ DO: Mention that 40+ events are free to attend — this is a key public interest fact
✓ DO: State tickets are "from £15" for ticketed events
✓ DO: Direct readers to southbankcentre.co.uk for booking — not londonlitfest.com (tickets are sold by SBC)
✗ DON'T: Describe the festival as "expensive" — it has one of the most accessible pricing structures of any UK festival
✗ DON'T: State ticket prices without noting free events exist
✓ DO: "founded in 2007" — correct founding year
✓ DO: "UK's longest-running annual literary festival" — accurate and defensible (Cheltenham is older but the LLF is specifically "annual" in unbroken run)
✓ DO: Reference Hillary Clinton (2017), Ghetts (2024), Malala (2025) as past speakers — all confirmed
✗ DON'T: Call it "one of the UK's oldest festivals" — Cheltenham (1949), Hay (1988) are older. The LLF's distinction is length of unbroken annual run.
Section 05 — Downloads
Photography, press releases, and assets available for editorial use. All high-resolution assets are hosted on the Southbank Centre's Bynder media library.
Section 06 — Coverage Targets
Priority publications for press outreach — including coverage angle, domain authority, and editorial contact approach.
| Publication | DA | Contact Approach | Coverage Angle | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Guardian Books theguardian.com/books |
95 | Books desk / Arts & Culture editor | Pop culture × literary culture crossover (Dua Lipa angle). Preview + author interview piece. Feature on Service95 Book Club impact. | Target |
| Time Out London timeout.com/london |
91 | Events editor / Culture section | "What's On" feature, "Free events in London October 2026" round-up. Already covered LLF in previous years — priority for annual preview. | Previously covered |
| The Bookseller thebookseller.com |
82 | News editor / Features team | Trade angle: impact of celebrity book clubs on book sales. Programme announcement news piece. Exclusive advance programme access offer. | Target |
| Arts Council England artscouncil.org.uk |
87 | Communications team via Southbank Centre | National Year of Reading connection. ACE-funded cultural event showcase. Accessibility and free events angle. | Partner coverage |
| VisitLondon.com visitlondon.com |
85 | Events listings team | Free events guide, October London events calendar, "What to do in London in October 2026" tourism feature. | Target for listing |
| The Literary Review literaryreview.co.uk |
71 | Editor / Reviews editor | Festival preview. Guest editor opportunity in October issue. Book club culture feature: from Oprah to Service95. | Target |
| The London Magazine thelondonmagazine.org |
58 | Commissioning editor | Annual "What's On at LLF" preview feature — already published in 2024. Priority for continuation. | Previously covered |
| Country & Town House countryandtownhouse.com |
64 | Culture editor | "Guide to LLF 2026" feature — previously published guides for 2024 and 2025 editions. | Previously covered |