Pinkett Smith and Jeffers headline London Literature Festival 2023

Oliver Jeffers and Helen Oyeyemi will join Jacqueline Wilson at the Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival 2023 alongside stars such as Patrick Stewart and Jada Pinkett Smith. The Black British Book Festival will also join as a partner for the first time.

Running from 18th to 29th October, London Literature Festival is the longest running celebration of the written and spoken word of its kind in the capital and this year marks its 16th edition.

George the Poet will guest curate the opening night of the 12-day festival to “celebrate the strength and vitality of London’s spoken word scene”, Southbank said. The London-born spoken word performer of Ugandan heritage is known for his award winning podcast, “Have You Heard George’s Podcast?”

The Black British Book Festival is moving its annual day-long event out of Birmingham for the first time, partnering with the Southbank Centre and presents the memoir of "Little Mix" member Leigh-Anne Pinnock and celebrating Black British authors across all genres featuring appearances from broadcaster Clive Myrie and “Strictly Come Dancing” star Oti Mabuse.

As an exclusive London event, activist and actor Kerry Washington discusses her new memoir, Thicker Than Water (Sphere) while Stewart and Pinkett Smith will also present their autobiographies.

Korean author and winner of Japan’s most prestigious literary prize, the Akutagawa writing in Japanese, Yu Miri will discuss her latest novel to be translated into English, The End of August (Tilted Axis). Artist and novelist Teju Cole introduces his latest book Tremor (Faber), while Dylan Thomas Prize-winning author Bryan Washington presents the novel Family Meal (Atlantic Books).

Jeffers introduces his new picture book for adults, Begin Again: The Story of How We Got Here and Where We Might Go (HarperCollins), and actor and writer Nick Frost discusses A Slice of Fried Gold (Bonnier Books UK), his new memoir about friends, food and films, with his long-time collaborator Simon Pegg.

There will also family events running over October half term, with new books from authors such as Jeffrey Boakye and a London premiere from Zeb Soanes with the Oprheus Sinfonia. Wilson presents will present sequel to her bestseller Sleepovers after 22 years, The Best Sleepover in the World (both published by Puffin).

There will also be a range of free pop-ups for all ages, including a live recording of BBC Radio 4’s “Open Book”, with family events and performances in The National Poetry Library.

In terms of new talent, there will be a showcasing from Debut London Literature, platforming debut titles from new writers, including Hong Kong author Nicola Dinan, Dublin-born Bryan Moriarty and London-born author Wiz Wharton of Chinese-European heritage.

London Literature Festival will also partner again with Creative Future Writers, an arts organisation empowering some of the UK’s most talented underrepresented artists. The Creative Future Writers’ Award Showcase celebrates its 10th anniversary with readings by this year’s winning writers, while Creative Future Writers Day welcomes insider knowledge from leading literary professionals, advising underrepresented writers.

Ted Hodgkinson, head of literature and spoken word at the Southbank Centre, says: “London Literature Festival this year celebrates the explosive talent, energy and creativity of the city’s spoken-word community.  Throughout the festival, we celebrate the emerging talents and pioneers of spoken word and its unmediated power to connect and captivate us, with events from the Poet Laureate for Lambeth [Abstract Benna], our own New Poets Collective and the Southbank Centre’s resident poetry and live music night, ‘Out-Spoken’.

“There are a range of collaborations across the 12-day festival and I’m glad to welcome a fantastic programme curated by the Black British Book Festival, to further the Southbank Centre’s commitment to support and champion Black British talent."

George the Poet, commented: “I’m honoured to be a guest-curator for London Literature Festival this year, kicking off the festival with a night that brings together some of my favourite music and spoken word artists from London and beyond.

"The environment of London has been my teacher and inspiration, so I’m looking forward to celebrating the culture, sounds and poetry of the city in what promises to be a night to remember.”

Tickets for London Literature Festival go on sale to Southbank Centre Members on Wednesday (5th July) and to the general public on Thursday (6th July). Tickets for the Black British Book Festival are already on sale. For more information, visit southbankcentre.co.uk.