A Brighton Book Festival Love Story (by Mercedes Dang Madjoukouo)

For some, a book festival is about discovering new authors, attending thought-provoking discussions, and expanding literary horizons. For Louise Fidelia and Helen Trevorrow, it became the setting for something completely unexpected: the beginning of their love story.

Brighton Book Festival was in full swing during summer of 2023, bringing together writers, creatives, and book lovers from all walks of life. Among them was Helen Trevorrow, writer and PR agency owner, preparing to speak on a panel about utopias. The author of New Brighton, Helen has long been known for her sharp storytelling, and little did she know that the festival would soon become a pivotal chapter in her own life.

Louise Fidelia, a tech professional by day and an accomplished DJ by night, was also part of the festival’s lineup. As a freelance BBC radio host, she had built a reputation for curating sounds that bring people together, and she was set to DJ the Windrush 75th Celebration event that evening. Though their paths seemed separate, the festival would soon bring them together in a way neither had anticipated.

They met online and had been getting to know each other for just over a week when they decided it was time to meet in person. As they tried to pin down a date, their schedules seemed impossible to align. 

Thursday evening worked for Helen, she had a "book thing" in the afternoon but was free afterward. Louise, however, was busy DJing at the Brighton Book Festival that same night. Then came the realisation: Wait a minute, you’re going to be at the Brighton Book Festival too? Just like that, their first meeting was set.

There was no formal first date, no carefully planned dinner reservation. Just two people, drawn together by a shared love of culture, storytelling, and music, happening to be in the same space at the right time. Between the lively discussions, the bookshop browsing, and the festival’s infectious energy, their first real-life meeting felt effortless, like a continuation of a conversation that had already begun.

Fast forward to today, and the couple has just bought a flat together! 

Their story is proof that the festival isn’t just about literature; it’s about connection, discovery, and the unexpected moments that change everything.

Brighton Book Festival has always been about pushing boundaries and celebrating diverse voices, but it also fosters something equally important: community. Whether you come for the panels, the performances, or the parties, you’re bound to leave with something: a new perspective, a new favourite author, or maybe even a new person in your life.