The Not-so-secret Book Festival returns to The Secret Bookshelf in Carrickfergus next year. The event takes place at the shop's premises in The Courtyard, Scotch Quarter. Organisers released the 2026 programme, which includes seven author events and two children's events.

The festival starts on Wednesday, June 3, with crime writer James Murphy hosting Sam Blake at 6:30pm. Tickets cost £8. The next day, June 4 at 6:30pm, Hazel McBride discusses her book A Queen Forged in Flames with Kalie Reid. That event costs £22 and includes a book.

On Saturday, June 6 at 11am, Marianne McShane and Mr Ando host a free stories and art session for children in the shop's kids' room. Later that day at 6:30pm, Cal Flyn speaks with Paul Clements about The Savage Landscape. Tickets for that event cost £12.

Wednesday, June 10 features Elmer Day at 11am. Pre-schoolers can join free Elmer stories, stickers and crafts. On Friday, June 12 at 6:30pm, Brian McGilloway, Linda Hagan and James Murphy discuss old school criminals. Tickets cost £8.

Jan Carson talks about her book Few and Far Between on Tuesday, June 16 at 6:30pm. Tickets cost £5. The Femina Culpra poetry collective holds free readings on Friday, June 19.

The festival closes on Saturday, June 20. Ruth McKee and Hilary McCollum converse about their work at 5pm, free of charge. A gathering with fizz follows at 6:30pm. The first festival occurred in June 2025. A Young Adult event is planned for July 2026.