AIM Literary Festival 2025 Launches StoryGarden Day in Landmark Partnership with the British Library

AIM Literary Festival Curators, Ekta Bajaj and Monica Sood

LONDON, UK – AIM Literary Festival is proud to unveil a major new collaboration with the British Library to present StoryGarden — a dynamic, one-day literary celebration set to take place on Saturday, 4th October 2025. As part of the week-long AIM Literary Festival (1st - 5th October), StoryGarden will shine a spotlight on diverse, underrepresented, and debut authors from around the globe.

Hosted at the iconic British Library site in London, this special event aims to celebrate storytelling in all its forms and amplify voices that deserve to be heard. From powerful South Asian narratives to bold new global perspectives, the event will celebrate the transformative power of storytelling through thought-provoking panels, inspiring talks, and interactive Q&A sessions — all aimed at shaping identity, sparking change, and transcending cultural boundaries.

StoryGarden forms a key highlight of the 6th annual AIM Literary Festival, curated by Author In Me — an award-winning independent press dedicated to uplifting underrepresented voices. Supported by Arts Council England, this year’s festival embraces the theme “Challenge Your Choices”, inviting both readers and writers to explore ideas of agency, authorship, and the narratives we choose to shape and share.

The event will welcome readers, emerging and established authors, literary agents, publishers, educators, and industry professionals — all coming together to celebrate diverse storytelling and foster meaningful dialogue within the literary community.

“We’re thrilled to launch StoryGarden in partnership with the British Library — a place where creativity, curiosity, and stories from all walks of life are celebrated,” said Monica Sood, Festival Curator.

“This is a rallying call to dreamers, disruptors, and changemakers,” added Ekta Bajaj, Co-Curator. “StoryGarden is where unheard voices will take root and flourish.”

Jon Fawcett, Head of Events at the British Library, said: “Over the last six years, the AIM Literary Festival has become a significant advocate and showcase for under-represented and brand new writers. It celebrates the possibilities of literature and shows pathways to greater recognition for emerging talent and we are delighted to host part of this year's Festival at the British Library, a place that is for everyone.”

Call for Submissions Now Open

AIM Literary Festival is now accepting submissions from storytellers and publishers across the globe to be featured on the day. The festival is especially seeking books by diverse authors, or those set in global or cross-cultural contexts, that align with the 2025 theme, Challenge Your Choices.

Selected participants will be invited to present their work at the event, with featured titles available through the festival’s partner independent bookshop, South Kensington Books. In line with our mission to amplify underrepresented voices, submissions are free for UK-based publishers.

Full submission guidelines and eligibility details are available at www.aimlitfestival.com.

What to expect at AIM Literary Festival, StoryGarden Day:

• Immersive workshops led by acclaimed creatives

• Author meet & greets and book signings

• Thought-provoking panels on literature and publishing

• 1:1 critiquing session with a literary agent

• Curated networking spaces

• Drop in consultation sessions with editors, graphic designers and PR professionals

• Pop-up bookstore

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Event Details

Name: AIM Literary Festival Day-4 – StoryGarden Day

Date: Saturday, 4th October 2025

Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Venue:  British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB

Website & Submissions: www.aimlitfestival.com

About the British Library

We are the national library of the UK and we are here for everyone. Our shelves hold over 170 million items – a living collection that gets bigger every day. Although our roots extend back centuries, we aim to collect everything published in the UK today, tomorrow and far into the future. Our trusted experts care for this collection and open it up for everyone to spark new discoveries, ideas and to help people do incredible things.

We have millions of books, and much more besides. Our London and Yorkshire sites hold collections ranging from newspapers and maps to sound recordings, patents, academic journals, as well as a copy of every UK domain website and blog. Our public spaces provide a place to research, to meet friends, to start up a new business or simply to get inspired by visiting our galleries and events. We work with partners and libraries across the UK and the world to make sure that as many people as possible have the chance to use and explore our collections, events and expertise. And we’re always open online.