London Book Fair reveals line-up for Author HQ and Writers’ Summit
The London Book Fair has announced speakers and topics for its popular strands for authors and illustrators: the three-day Author HQ programme and the one-day conference Writers’ Summit.
Writers’ Summit will kick start the week of the Fair on Monday 11th March, at the new venue of Novotel West London. The conference aims to equip authors with practical tools for their writing journey, empowering them to get their work noticed by agents, publishers and readers in an increasingly crowded market. The day will feature workshops, panel discussions, industry and expert advice, as well as networking opportunities.
Speakers include writers and illustrators Natasha Carthew, Hazel Mead, Tabitha Rayne, Greg Buchanan, Natasha Bowen, Abiola Bello, Sana Rasoul, Davina Hamilton, Yvonne Battle-Felton, Sacha Black, Dan Holloway and leading experts from HarperCollins, Rethink Press, Bitter Lemon Press, The Diverse Book Awards, Writing East Midlands CIC, The Working Class Writers Festival, Reedsy, Stardust Book Services, BookBrunch among others.
With a keynote delivered by Lisa Sharkey, Senior Vice President at HarperCollins US, topics discussed on the day will include: how authors can own their own media; getting started in the book industry; diversity and inclusion in books; mastering the technical details of publishing (formatting, cover design, editing); writing in a modern market, and finding the support you need on your journey as a writer.
Author HQ
Taking place between Tuesday 12th and Thursday 14th March at London Olympia, speakers participating in the Author HQ programme of talks and panels include: Lemn Sissay, Vicky Palmer, Gavin Esler, Danielle Jawando, Manon Steffan Ros, Charlotte Eyre, Orna Ross, Joanna Penn, Amy May, Anya Smith, Zubs, alongside key industry experts from Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hodder, Amazon KDP, Storymix, The Carnegie Awards, Society of Authors and many more.
Designed to share insights into the current trends and hot topics of the book industry, talks at Author HQ will cover TikTok and social media tips; neurodiverse stories; how to prepare for publication; writers and mental health; the YA book market; building tomorrow’s readers and more. Once again, Author HQ will be sponsored by Kindle Direct Publishing, with a series of sessions featuring bestselling self-published authors and KDP experts providing advice and guidance for authors.
Illustrators Programme
On the afternoon of Wednesday 13th March, Author HQ will bring back its special Illustrators Programme, featuring a business masterclass on contracts and copyright; advice on how to get your illustrations published; the process behind a cover design; and a networking reception for illustrators.
Confirmed speakers at the Illustrators Programme include Illustrator of the Fair Flavia Z Drago, award-winning illustrator Jennifer N R Smith, Matthew Kelly of HarperCollins Children’s Books, Charlotte Abrams-Simpson of Orion, Joanna McInerney of Big Picture Press, Rachel Hill and Sarah Morris from the Association of Illustrators and more. New to this year, the revised Illustrators Gallery will host a special display of the winners of the 2023 World Illustration Awards.
“As Jorge Luis Borges once said ‘I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library,’” said Lisa Sharkey, Senior Vice President at HarperCollins US and Writers’ Summit Keynote Speaker.
“For people who love books, whose lives and careers are driven by the power, beauty, and wonder of words, it feels like arriving in Paradise when you walk through The London Book Fair. I can’t wait to be back seeing the smorgasbord of ideas from the worldwide zeitgeist and appreciating the cultural melting pot as I walk from booth to booth admiring books from around the world, meeting with my colleagues and friends.”
Gareth Rapley, Director of The London Book Fair, said that the offering to authors and illustrators is one of the most important strands of the Fair.
“They are the creative cogs that keep our industry going. We are excited to announce an incredible line-up of events as part of Author HQ, the Writers’ Summit and our popular Illustrators Programme. From masterclasses to insightful conversations from experts in the field, networking opportunities to practical workshops, The London Book Fair will offer something to prospective, new, recent, and veteran authors alike. We are thrilled to have so many brilliant writers, illustrators, publishers and leading voices in the industry sharing their knowledge and insights at next year’s Fair.”
Further details about The LBF line-up will be revealed in the run up to the Fair and will be available here.
