Alexandra Palace today launches London’s newest literary festival, North London Book Fest (21 – 24 March 2024), with headliners Natalie Haynes, Leo Vardiashvili, Peter Hain, Lemony Snicket, Erin Kelly, Michael Rosen and Stuart Turton.
The ambitious new festival will connect readers with iconic authors and up-and-coming writers, creating a feast of readings, panel discussions, Q&As, workshops and book-signings for readers of all genres and ages.
Featuring 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 four day event will present a rich tapestry of the UK’s thriving literary scene.
The North London Book Fest is a single-site festival, hosted in the Grade II Palace’s East Wing, with events taking place in the award-winning Theatre, Creativity Pavilion and Transmitter Hall.
Erin Kelly, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Skeleton Key and He Said She Said: “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.”
Kate Ereira, Joint-Festival Director: “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.”
North London Book Fest is supported by Waterstones, who will be running the festival bookshop, with funding provided by Tottenham Grammar School Foundation and Haringey Council. Renaissance One and ckbk also support individual events. 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 22 March. In addition to the packed festival line-up there’s a range of performances in the festival village from emerging musicians, spoken word artists, stand-ups, plus learning and engagement activities for children and families.
The action kicks off on Thursday 21 March with pub quiz night in the festival village when discerning quizzers will pitch their puzzling mastery against the fiendish mind of quiz book author Frank Paul – ‘superstar of the world of quizzies’. This is followed on the Friday 22 March by an evening of intrigue with a round-up of the latest thought-provoking crime and political thrillers, hosted by award-winning author, Victoria Dowd, of the bestselling Smart Woman’s Mystery series, ahead of packed festival across Saturday 23 March and Sunday 24 March (further details below).
For full programme information and ticketing details, visit www.alexandrapalace.com
