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Osman, Reid, Coelho and Drago named LBF Authors of the Day
Novelists Richard Osman and Taylor Jenkins Reid, Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho and illustrator Flavia Z Drago have been named Authors of the Day for The London Book Fair 2024. The event runs from 12th-14th March at Olympia London.
Los Angeles-based Reid, author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (Simon & Schuster), will appear at LBF as International Author of the Day on Tuesday 12th March; Thursday Murder Club creator Osman, featuring as Adult Author of the Day, will be there on Wednesday 13th, as will Mexico-born Drago, now living in the UK and collaborating with Walker Books, who is the Illustrator of the Fair. Meanwhile Coelho, Children’s Author of the Day, is scheduled for Thursday 14th. All will take part in "In Conversation" events.
Fair director Gareth Rapley said Authors of the Day was one of the "most celebrated and popular features of The London Book Fair line-up" and that the chosen four "perfectly encapsulate the enthusiasm, talent and creativity that make our industry so special".
Reid said: “I am really excited to take part in one of the biggest events for the book industry, and to return to London, one of my favourite cities in the world. I can’t wait to connect and reconnect with authors, readers and publishers.”
Coelho said: "In my role as Waterstones Children’s Laureate I’ve travelled the length and breadth of the UK championing the vital role of public libraries, celebrating the power of poetry, and showcasing new talent to diversify bookshelves and inspire bookmakers of the future. I’m looking forward to sharing more about these focal points of my tenure – as well as celebrating the wonderfully vibrant world of children’s books – on an international stage next March."
Drago explained: "When I was little, I was lucky enough to live in a house full of books, and usually, the ones with beautiful or intriguing illustrations got my interest first. Pictures opened the doors of curiosity; they made me want to know more about the world where I lived, and the body in which I moved. Pictures helped me encounter stories that may – or may not – have happened years ago, and others that can only truly exist in the imagination. One of these was Two Can Toucan by David McKee. I liked it so much that when I was about nine or 10 years old, I made my own version using an old typewriter (which made me feel very professional) and colouring pencils. It was also about the same time when I wrote and drew my first original story (a tragedy about my pets).
"I have always loved drawing, but I didn’t know then that I would end up making picture books and living in the UK. And now, I cannot believe that I have the honour to be named Illustrator of the Fair at the London Book Fair, just like Dapo Adeola, Lauren Child and, of course, David McKee! Like myself, stories can travel far and wide across the world, and I hope that through my work, I can contribute to making this industry more inclusive and to share something from my background for others to know, hoping that – even if little – we get to know, understand and respect each other. But especially, I would love to open the doors of curiosity, for many more children to come.”
Further details of the LBF programme will be announced in the New Year.
