North London Book Fest will take place in March

Alexandra Palace has launched a brand-new literary festival.

North London Book Fest will go ahead this March across four days (21st-24th), with headliners including Natalie Haynes, Lemony Snicket, Erin Kelly, Michael Rosen, Leo Vardiashvili and Stuart Turton.

The festival will incorporate readings, panel discussions, Q&As, workshops and book-signings. The programme also includes ‘deep dives’ for crime and thriller fans, talks by children’s authors, discussions on modern parenting, the environment, sexism, food culture and being Muslim in Britain.

The festival coincides with the finale of ‘Biblio-buzz’, the annual Alexandra Palace children’s book award, which will see 800 young people attend a ceremony in the Theatre on Friday, 22nd March.

Erin Kelly, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Skeleton Key and He Said She Said, commented: “I’m thrilled to be part of this new festival set in, and celebrating North London, where I live as well as write. In the name of research I’ve walked Highgate Woods, Alexandra Park, Hampstead Heath and the towpaths of the Grand Union Canal and my latest, The House of Mirrors, takes in Camden Passage and Holloway Road. I can’t wait to connect with readers in what, let’s face it, is the very best corner of the capital.”

Joint-festival director and head of creative learning at Alexandra Palace, Mark Civil, said: “We’ve had a long-held ambition to bring a literary festival to the Palace, building on sold out events hosted here in recent years by the likes of Philip Pullman, Miriam Margolyes, Lucy Worsley, Bob Odenkirk, Quentin Tarantino and Jacqueline Wilson. We’ve also taken inspiration from the success of our Children’s Book Award to broaden our reach, welcoming authors and activities that will delight book lovers of all ages.”

Kate Ereira, joint-festival director, commented: “It’s a really stimulating and diverse programme, with so much on offer. We’ll be asking questions about AI and creativity, about parenting and about identity. We’re launching much-anticipated new titles from bestselling novelists and showcasing some of the year’s most exciting debuts, such as Leo Vardiashvili who is in conversation with Cecile Pin. We’ve got some of the very best children’s writers giving workshops and we’ve got fiction set right in our own neighbourhood. We’re so excited for people to come and enjoy it.”

Emma Dagnes, Alexandra Palace CEO, said: “As a charity our learning activities are at the heart of our cultural programme, working alongside our renowned events to provide people access to the arts. The opportunity to invite people to the Palace to share a love for the world of literature and the topics these amazing books and authors explore, is so exciting. We can’t wait to welcome everyone here in March.”

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