Damilola Blackburn and Candlish feature at LBF Author HQ

The London Book Fair has announced its Author HQ events programme for 2022 featuring Peter James, Lizzie Damilola Blackburn and Louise Candlish among others. 

The events will take place from 5th to 7th April at London Olympia and also include industry figures from HarperNorth, the Working Class Writers Festival, The Empowered Author and Penguin Random House’s Lit in Colour. 

LBF organisers said: “The ’Authors: Central To Our Business’ programme incorporates the popular Author HQ events stage, designed to provide writers with an insight into the trends and talking points currently exciting the publishing industry, offering a range of inspiring content from authors and industry experts through a series of engaging and thought-provoking seminars.” 

Highlights include "How I Write…" featuring three authors sharing a behind-the-scenes look at their writing day, revealing how they wrote their best-known books. There is also "From Book to Screen: Crime and Thrillers: Capturing the gripping nature of a crime novel and transferring to the big screen is an art form" featuring advice from James, Candlish and Kate Ruby. 

Also on the line up is "Preparing for Publication" featuring experts from Midas and The Novelry sharing tips on preparing for publication, while Damilola Blackburn discusses her experience ahead of the publication of her debut Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?, published by Viking in April. 

Additionally, author and TikTok commentator Fiona Lucas and the team behind Penguin Random House’s Lit in Colour will discuss the key role of TikTok in the book world and which trends are the ones to watch in "Trending on TikTok = book sales: the perfect equation?". 

Other sessions include "The Power of the Bookshop", "Publishing Outside of London: What are the Benefits?" and "Energising the Writing Process". 

Andy Ventris, LBF director, said: "Authors are at the heart of the publishing industry, and we’re really pleased to be able to welcome them back to the Fair in person this year. Hearing from authors who are on their own publishing journey offers an invaluable insight for aspiring writers into the creative process.

"The London Book Fair is thrilled to have so many brilliant authors and industry experts sharing their knowledge and experience in this year’s programme. Nothing beats being in the room where it’s all happening, and having so many inspiring speakers at this year’s Fair is a great show of confidence. I’m sure Author HQ will once again be one of the buzziest parts of the fair."

For further information, visit the LBF website.