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Elif Shafak, Jamie Smart and Lou Gilmond to speak at LBF's conferences in 2025
Elif Shafak, Jamie Smart and Lou Gilmond are among the authors and illustrators taking part in this year’s London Book Fair (LBF) conferences.
A one-day Writers’ Summit will take place on 10th March at Novotel West London, and the Author HQ programme will be held between 11th and 13th March at London Olympia, featuring talks and panels, including the Illustrators Programme on 12th March.
Adam Ridgway, director of LBF, said: “Our dedicated programme for authors and illustrators is integral to The London Book Fair – as one of our most popular theatres, Author HQ proves how important a creative community is for nurturing talent.
"Meanwhile, the Writers’ Summit is sure to equip both emerging and established authors with essential tools to navigate the industry, and getting their work noticed."
The Writers’ Summit will include workshops, panel discussions, advice from industry experts and networking opportunities. The aim is to provide authors with practical tools for their writing career, enabling them to make their work stand out.
Speakers at the one-day conference will include authors Alice McIlroy and Abiola Bello, Capital Xtra radio presenter Jojo Silva and experts from the London Writers Salon, the Simon & Schuster Alliance of Independent Authors, the Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency and Maggie Marr Legal, among others. Rose Sandy, founder of the HarperCollins Author and Design Academy, will deliver a keynote speech.
Sandy said: “Stories shape our world, whether through traditional publishing, digital media, screen or groundbreaking new formats. I can’t wait to share insights about the four writer archetypes I’ve identified and help authors discover which resonates with their creative spirit."
Moreover, the Author HQ programme will include talks and panels about trends in the industry, and authors will be given advice about growing their careers. Shafak, Adele Parks, Bobby Palmer, Beth O’Leary and Maggie Aderin-Pocock will be speaking at the events, alongside William Hussey, Gill Lewis and Georgina Moore. They will be joined by industry experts from Penguin Random House UK, Bonnier Books, The Booksellers Association, BKS, Meet Cute Book Festival, Black British Book Festival, The Women’s Prize Trust, and more.
The 2025 Author HQ programme will cover topics such as growing an audience on social media, preparing for publication, the future of the romance genre, and how the industry can support dyslexic authors and readers.
The Illustrators Programme will take place on 12th March, featuring sessions from the Association of Illustrators, as well as a networking reception. Jamie Smart, the first Creative of the Fair, will host an interactive draw-along where guests will be able to recreate his characters. The Illustrators Gallery will also host a display of the winners of the 2024 World Illustration Awards.
