Hussain, Alderman, Gilbert and Scott announced for Women’s Prize Live

The Women’s Prize Trust has announced the line-up for its annual festival, Women’s Prize Live, which features author Naomi Alderman, memoirist and writer Elizabeth Gilbert, TV chef Nadiya Hussain and ex-English footballer and commentator Alex Scott. 

Also appearing will be Anita Anand, Ravinder Bhogal, Vick Hope, Louise Minchin, Kate Mosse, Anita Rani, Elif Shafak, and the six authors shortlisted for the 2023 Women’s Prize for Fiction – with more names and the full programme to be revealed. 

Early bird tickets go on sale today (Friday, 24th February) for the festival which will take place on Tuesday 13th June in Bedford Square Gardens in central London. The trust has has also announced a new partnership with the London Ticket Bank, to provide free tickets to individuals facing barriers to attending cultural events.

Claire Shanahan, director of the Women’s Prize Trust, said: “We are so thrilled to be expanding the Women’s Prize Live programme this year to connect even more readers with inspiring and successful women, supported by our sponsors Baileys and Audible, our partners, publishers and donors. Everything we do at the Women’s Prize Trust is guided by our mission to open up pathways into reading and writing for the book-lovers and storytellers of tomorrow, and to do that everyone needs to be able to access book events, resources, role models and community. We are therefore delighted to be collaborating with the London Ticket Bank to ensure that free tickets are available to our live and digital events for those who need them most.”

Oonagh Murphy, director of the Cultural Philanthropy Foundation and spokesperson for the London Ticket Bank, said: “The leadership and generosity shown by cultural organisations such as the Women’s Prize Trust is what has enabled us to launch the London Ticket Bank, ensuring thousands of Londoners have access to cultural experiences, as is their human right. We are delighted to be partnering with the Women’s Prize Trust, adding literature to our existing offer of theatre, dance, music, cinema and comedy. Those who could otherwise not afford tickets will now also have the opportunity to attend transformative experiences such as the Women’s Prize Live festival, ensuring that the cost-of-living crisis does not further stymie the democratisation of culture.”

A day pass to Women’s Prize Live provides access to talks, live podcast recordings, book clubs led by special guests, drop-in workshops run by female makers, one-to-one coaching sessions, book signings with authors and shortlist readings. Standalone tickets for the evening shortlist readings will also be available to purchase separately and will be released in the coming months. Certain events – including two writing workshops and a Jikoni supper club – require the purchase of an additional ticket.  

Tickets to Women’s Prize Live can be purchased at: womensprizelive.eventbrite.co.uk.