The London Book Fair (LBF) has announced its Author HQ events program and the Writers’ Summit conference line-up for 2023, two of the key highlights offering authors invaluable insights and practical tools from leading experts in the industry.
Taking place on Tuesday 18 to 20 April at Olympia, the line-up of Author HQ will feature best-selling authors Juno Dawson, Janice Hallett, Katy Brent, Elle McNicholl, alongside leading industry figures from Curtis Brown, Penguin Random House, Profile Books, Harper Voyager, Unbound, Hay Festival, Women’s Prize for Fiction, Society of Authors among others.
Designed to provide writers with an insight into the trends and talking points currently exciting the publishing industry, topics to be discussed at Author HQ include TikTok and social media, sensitivity reading and copyright, AI tools for writing and marketing books, children’s books, preparing for publication, writing and resilience, and more.
On the afternoon of 19 April, Author HQ will host a special Illustrators Program, featuring a business masterclass for illustrators, tips on how to get your illustrations published, the process behind a cover design and more, with speakers from Bloomsbury, Faber, Harper Collins, Association of Illustrators, Andersen Press, Klaus Flugge Prize.
The Writers’ Summit one-day conference will be held on 19 April at Kensington Town Hall. Aimed at equipping writers with practical tools and empowering them from the outset of their publishing journey to get their work noticed by agents, publishers and readers, the conference will feature expert tips, industry advice and author inspiration, as well as practical workshops.
With speakers including authors Laura Lee Dockrill, Harriet Evans, Rebecca Abrams, Joanne Limburg, Sacha Black, and experts from The National Centre for Writing in Norwich, The BKS Agency, New Writing North, Spread the Word, Alliance of Independent Authors among others – the day will include sessions with authors about their journey to publication, how to polish your book pitch, the value of agents, and the support available from literature development agencies.
The London Book Fair is offering a few bursary places to attend the Writers’ Summit, with the bursaries managed in collaboration with New Writing North, National Centre for Writing in Norwich and Spread the Word.
Juno Dawson, author of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven, said: “I’m excited and very honored to be asked to speak at The London Book Fair. It’s a chance to talk not only about my career highs, but also represent the UK publishing industry to the whole wide world! No pressure!”
Laura Lee Dockrill, author and Writers’ Summit keynote speaker, said: “It is an honor to be asked to speak at the London Book Fair. The atmosphere at the Fair is so alive and exciting, it’s wonderful to be able to share stories with others that also love storytelling as much as I do.”
Peggy Hughes, executive director of the National Centre for Writing, said: “The business of writing can seem a mercurial enterprise when you’re first getting started, but writer development organization like National Centre for Writing (NCW), New Writing North and Spread the Word can help plot a route map. In our session, new and emerging writers will find out more about the work we do and the opportunities available to them, from funding to residencies, talent development programs, prizes and more. It’s always brilliant to meet new writers and hear how the work we do can support them to thrive, and I’m looking forward to it, and to comparing notes with my fellow panelists.”
Gareth Rapley, director of The London Book Fair, said: “Without authors, there would be no book industry. We are delighted to welcome back aspiring, emerging, and seasoned authors to the Fair, for two of the key events in the publishing calendar. London Book Fair visitors will be able to gain invaluable insight into authors and illustrators, and their creative process at Author HQ across the three days of the fair, while attending the one-day conference Writers’ Summit will equip them with invaluable skills and knowledge on their journey to publication. The London Book Fair is thrilled to have so many brilliant authors and industry experts sharing their knowledge and experience in this year’s program.”
The London Book Fair is the largest spring book trade and publishing event in the world, and will take place at Olympia London, 18-20 April 2023.
