The much anticipated first ever Ealing Book Festival has revealed that that it has signed up two former children’s laureates and a Booker Prize winning novelist amongst its authors who will be attending its inaugural event between 11 April and 14 April 2024 at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery.
Among the highlights are former children’s laureate Lauren Child introducing her latest story in the Clarice Bean series and another former children’s laureate Dame Jacqueline Wilson discussing her new book The Girl Who Wasn’t There.
Booker Prize winner Eleanor Catton will be talking about her new book Birnam Wood and former Rolling Stones bass player Bill Wyman will discuss his career and playing gigs at the famous Ealing Club.
Other guests and authors include:
- Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland and The Boy with the Topknot discusses his new book.
- John Boyne, author of The Heart’s Invisible Furies talks about his new book Earth.
Historian Kathryn Hughes talks about all things cats in Victorian and Edwardian Britain in Catland. - Broadcaster and director of the Soane Museum, Will Gompertz reveals his new book See What You’re Missing.
- Political commentator Daniel Finkelstein talks about his parents during the Second World War with historian Roger Moorhouse who tells the story of The Forgers.
- In ‘Why Spies?’ writers Charlotte Philby (granddaughter of spy Kim Philby), Charles Cumming and Alex Gerlis join a panel to discuss why espionage fiction
remains so popular and compelling. - In ‘Out of Sri Lanka’ poet Seni Seneviratne showcases literature from the island.
As well as authors, there will also be a number of events also taking place including a children’s poetry competition and walking tours of Ealing showing literature.
Catherine Jaquiss, chair, Ealing Book Festival said: “We are delighted to be able to offer such an exciting programme for the inaugural Ealing Book Festival. The response from everyone has been remarkable and we are working hard to ensure an inspiring and diverse experience for book enthusiasts and cultural lovers alike which reflects our vibrant and diverse borough.”
Ms Jaquiss also thanked the festival sponsors and supported and added: “On behalf of all those involved we would like to thank Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, our founder sponsor Savills, Ealing Council Small Grants, the Freshwater Foundation, St Benedict’s School, the University of West London, and our other event partners, advisers and volunteers.”
To find out more about the Ealing Book Festival and to book tickets, click here.
