By Erin Evett and Michaela O’Callaghan
The Judge, The Jury and James Patterson
24 November, 6:00 p.m.
Calling all crime and thriller fans, here’s the perfect event for you! Join the celebration as the biggest star in the genre, James Patterson, takes his much-loved character Alex Cross to the stage with The Judge, The Jury and James Patterson. To mark the new book in the series, fans will be called to jury service in this immersive courtroom experience where they will decide if the fictional detective is innocent or guilty of a heinous crime. Don’t miss out, get your tickets here.
A.K. Blakemore in conversation with Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Waterstones, Piccadilly
24 November, 7:00 p.m.
Don’t miss out on this conversation between the poet A.K. Blakemore and the bestselling author of The Mercies, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, who will be discussing Blakemore’s debut novel, The Manningtree Witches. It delves into seventeenth-century England at the height of the witch trials and won the 2021 Desmond Elliott Prize. For more information, click here.
Rice & Peas and Fish & Chips: Pauline Campbell in Conversation with Corrina Antrobus
St. Thomas’ Church, Clapton Common
25 November, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Celebrate the recent publication of Pauline Campbell’s groundbreaking hybrid-memoir, Rice & Peas and Fish & Chips as Pauline is joined in conversation with Corrina Antrobus, a writer from Hackney. Part memoir, part commentary, this book reflects on race and racism, identity and belonging, and is set against the historical, political and social climate of twentieth-century Britain to the present day. Find out more here.
Festive Fun with Cathy Bramley and Milly Johnson
25 November, 7:30 p.m.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a mince pie and a glass of bubbly! Join the Sunday Times bestselling authors, Cathy Bramley and Milly Johnson, to discuss their latest festive books, The Merry Christmas Project and I Wish It Could be Christmas Every Day. For more information, click here.
The Chortle Comedy Book Festival
The British Library
26–27 November
There is nothing better than a good ol’ laugh! This is Britain’s only comedy book festival and it is packed full of fun events and talks.
Before the main day of events on Saturday, you can buy a ticket to listen to Phil Wang on Friday as he discusses his book Sidesplitter which reflects on his experiences as a Eurasian man both in the West and in the East. On Saturday, there are a whole host of comedic writers including Fergus Craig, who discusses his comic crime novel Once Upon a Crime, Andi Osho, author of Asking for a Friend, and Harry Hill. There are events held online and at The British Library. Book your tickets here.
The Northern Publishers’ Fair
Manchester Central Library
27 November, 11:30–4:00 p.m.
The Northern Publishers’ Fair is running again and it's a great way to see what indie publishers in the North have to offer. They have put a Christmassy spin on proceedings, with special readings from Simon Culleton, author of Shadows of Fathers, and Gerry Potter, author of Planet Young, among others. Tickets are free and, if you are an early bird attendee, your eagerness will be rewarded, with the first 150 guests receiving a free short story pamphlet from Fly on the Wall Press!
The Publishing Quiz
2 December, 7:30 p.m.
Are you ready for the publishing event of the year?! This year, That Publishing Blog and The Publishing Post are working together to run The Publishing Quiz. This quiz is accessible for all, from long-term professionals to publishing hopefuls like us. Gather up your bookish friends and do some extra research into the business of books! This will be held online and is a fun way to meet new people and celebrate your book nerdiness.
Book Club December 2021 – Pandora's Jar
3 December, 6:00 p.m.
Join the wonderful broadcaster, author and classicist, Natalie Haynes, to discuss her feminist retelling of women in Ancient Greek mythology. Haynes promises to share Pandora's and other mythological women’s stories properly, as they should have been for thousands of years. This event is perfect for those who love the novels of authors Madeline Miller and Pat Barker. For more information, click here.
This is the Canon: Decolonize your Bookshelves in 50 Books
8 December, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
In This is the Canon, Joan Anim-Addo, Deirdre Osborne and Kadija Sesay have curated a decolonised reading list that celebrates the wide and diverse experiences of people from around the world, of all backgrounds and all races. Join them in conversation with Sathnam Sanghera, bestselling author of EmpireLand: How Modern Britain is Shaped by its Imperial Past. This online event is sure to be an invaluable opportunity to evaluate the power of fiction, and the importance of reading beyond the traditional, white-dominated canon.