Polari returns to The Printworks for a festive outing featuring Alexandra Benedict, VG Lee, Paul McVeigh and Oli Spleen.
Hosted by Paul Burston.
7pm doors for 7.30pm start.
Bookstall kindly provided by Printed Matter.
Alexandra (AK) Benedict is an award-winning writer of bestselling novels, short stories and scripts. The Christmas Murder Game, the first of her Golden Age-inspired mysteries with contemporary darkness, was longlisted for the Gold Dagger Award; and both Murder on the Christmas Express and The Christmas Jigsaw Murders are international bestsellers. Her first children’s book, The Merry Christmas Murders, is out in late October, and her adult Christmas mystery, The Christmas Cracker Killer, is published on November 6th.
Alexandra lives in Eastbourne with her husband, writer Guy Adams; their daughter, Verity; and their dog, Dame Margaret Rutherford.
VG Lee is the author of five novels and two short story collections. Her writing has appeared in a diverse range of publications, including Diva and The Lady Magazine.
Her sixth novel, Our Shadow Selves will be published by Muswell Press in March, 2026. Tonight she will be appearing as Mother Christmas.
Paul McVeigh’s short stories have appeared in anthologies, journals and newspapers, and read on BBC Radio3, 4 and 5, RTE Radio, as well as, Sky ARTS. His ten part short story series, The Circus, aired on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Foyle and BBC Radio 4. He co-founded London Short Story Festival and has edited three anthologies. His debut novel, The Good Son, won The Polari First Novel Prize and The McCrae Literary Award and his writing has been translated into eight languages. His short story collection, I Hear You, was published in March 2025.
Oli Spleen was born and raised in Hastings, later relocating to Brighton. A poet, exhibiting artist, novelist and musician: his most recent albums include Gaslight Illuminations (2019) and Still Life (2022), the latter of which was also released as a poetry booklet. Like his novel Depravikazi, Still Life reflects on his experiences of almost dying from AIDS when he was 22.
Oli has performed poetry alongside the likes of Kae Tempest, John Cooper Clarke and Joelle Taylor, as well as with his close friend Salena Godden.
He contributed a poem to Disarm Hate, an album created to raise funds and awareness following Florida's Pulse nightclub massacre. An active figure in the creative scenes of Hastings and Brighton, Oli often performs with his bands The Smithmanthers and SPLEEN