Exeter is a UNESCO
City of Literature

Exeter was awarded a UNESCO City of Literature designation in 2019 in recognition of “outstanding contributions to culture and creativity” and the wealth of literary heritage in the city, thanks to a multi-partner bid.

Exeter City of Literature believes in the power of words to imagine new possibilities for our world. As a charity, we champion stories and storytellers locally and globally, working with partners in the community and with UNESCO Cities of Literature around the world.

Book Nooks in Warm Spaces Fundraiser

We’re proud to be reviving a wintery reading project from last year - Book Nooks in Warm Spaces. This public fundraising campaign returns for a second winter with the goal of purchasing new books for designated Warm Spaces in Exeter and Devon.

Parts of Exeter and Devon have some of the lowest-literacy wards in the country, which creates significant obstacles to social mobility - through Book Nooks in Warm Spaces we hope to change this by making books and reading accessible and fun for those in need.

Slamovision 2024 - Manchester

The end of the year beckons, which can only mean one thing for the UNESCO Cities of Literature network - It’s Slamovision season!

On December 12th 2024, 14 UNESCO Cities of Literature will put forward a local slam poet to represent them in the grand finale in Manchester City of Literature.

The genre-bending Edward Tripp is Exeter's representative this year with his poem ‘The Visitors Are Coming’.

For slam fans in Exeter who aren't able to make the journey to Manchester, don't fret! We'll be hosting a watch party of the event at Exeter Library on Thursday 12th December with some special spoken word guests so we can cheer on Ed from home!

Introduction to Bibliotherapy and Counselling Skills - January 2025

First launched in 2021, this unique and innovative course is the first of its kind in the country. In January 2025, anyone interested in developing their skills in counselling and literature can apply to this paid course.

Introduction to Bibliotherapy and Counselling Skills is an ambitious course offering unique skills to counsellors, those who work in community-focused organisations, and those interested in using literature as a way to deepen their wellbeing offer to clients.

Upcoming Literary Events across Exeter & Devon

Bringing Bibliotherapy to the Community

“I always feel more connected and inspired afterwards, and likely with another book or two to add to the to read list!” — Bibliotherapy Trainee Harula

Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic approach that uses literature to help clients better understand and cope with the world around them.

Would you like to bring a Bibliotherapy in the Community session to your staff, team, clients, or volunteer group? Trainees from the Introduction to Bibliotherapy Skills course can provide bibliotherapy offerings across Devon.

Click the button below to request a session or to learn more
about this project.

Exeter City of Literature is now hosting the official Exeter branch of Silent Book Club

Silent Book Club is a global community of readers and introverts, with more than 1000 chapters in 50 countries around the world led by local volunteers.

Exeter City of Literature began hosting the Exeter branch of Silent Book Club in April 2024.

If you would like to attend and would benefit from a book token to purchase a brand new release to read at Silent Book Club please contact us and we'd be happy to help.

Exeter City of Literature finds the city’s favourite book with City Reads

To celebrate five years as a UNESCO City of Literature, the people of Exeter voted on Exeter’s Favourite Book in 2024.

After months of voting, the winner was announced in September as The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien!

A fitting victor given its special connection to Exeter, with the inspirations for Middle Earth stemming from The Exeter Book, a 10th-century anthology of Anglo-Saxon poetry and riddles that resides at Exeter Cathedral. Find out more about Exeter’s literary history here.

Bridging Cities - Exeter x Jakarta

Exeter City of Literature and Jakarta City of Literature have been working together since January on an international collaboration that explores the climate crisis through creative writing.

We commissioned three local writers from each city to create new writing that examines the disproportionate impacts of climate change on the Global South and how to improve conversations around the intersection of climate change and equity.

The Penguin Book

Vending Machine

comes home to Exeter!

We loved partnering with Penguin Books and Great Western Railway to bring something special to Exeter…

We’ve Unveiled New Literary Artwork at Exeter St Davids Train Station!

A permanent installation of new artwork was unveiled at Exeter St David’s station to celebrate Exeter’s UNESCO City of Literature status on World Book Day (Thursday 7th March).

The artwork, created by local artists Billy Ruffian (an artist alias of Isabel Keen) and Jack Ratcliff, honours Devon’s rich literary history and is supported by Great Western Railway’s (GWR) Customer and Community Improvement Fund.

The artwork located on the footbridge and lift footbridge at the station will be accessible to commuters travelling through Exeter St David’s.

From University of Exeter alum releasing science fiction debuts to a food writer’s foray into murder mysteries, this list is a fantastic overview of new releases in 2024 from Devon writers. Is this list missing a Devon author with a 2024 release we should know about? If it’s available on Bookshop.org - contact us!

Exeter City of Literature.
Made of our stories.