PVLF 2025

From Ben Okri to Maggie O'Farrell, here are seven must-see sessions at the 2022 London Book Fair.

Award-winning authors will appear over the three-day event.
on Apr 05, 2022

After three years, one of the world's largest publishing events returns to the UK.

The London Book Fair, which runs from Tuesday to Thursday at Olympia London, will bring together hundreds of authors and publishers for conversations on the industry's current trends and issues.

The book fair is being hosted for the first time since 2019. As a precaution against Covid-19, the following two events were cancelled.

The event, according to director Andy Ventris, will be a much-needed reunion for a pandemic-affected business. "As we return to Olympia for the first in-person London Book Fair since 2019, we welcome not only publishers and readers, but also award-winning poets and bestselling authors, and we look forward to hearing them share their experiences and debate what's going on in the world of literature."

The following are seven important events to attend:

1. 'Why isn't the publishing industry more aware of the benefits and significance of commercial fiction?'

On the Main Stage, starting at 10.30 a.m. GMT on Tuesday.

It's time to take commercial fiction seriously. Despite its popularity, the genre has a small number of supporters in the publishing sector. In her talk, Louise Moore, managing director of Penguin Michael Joseph (home to bestselling authors like Stephen Fry, Clive Cussler, and Gregg Hurwitz), hopes to shatter this attitude.

2. 'A Conversation with Walid Nabhan'

Tuesdays at 11 a.m. at Poet's Corner

The Maltese naturalised author, who was born in Jordan to a Palestinian refugee family, won the 2017 European Prize for Literature for his autobiographical work Exodus of the Storks, which was written in Maltese and recently released in English. Nabhan will talk about the project and read from his poetry collections On My Way Towards Her and Of Flesh and Blood, both of which deal with displacement yearnings.

3. 'Covid-19: What's Next for Publishing?' 23. 'Covid-19: What's Next for Publishing?'

On the Main Stage, starting at 11.45 a.m. on Tuesday.

Representatives from Harper Collins, Amazon Publishing, Bookouture, and the Booksellers Association will discuss how the epidemic has impacted the industry and how it may alter the book world's future.

4. 'Maggie O'Farrell In Conversation' is number four on the list.

Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., at the English PEN Literary Salon

Maggie O'Farrell, the recipient of the Women's Prize for Fiction, discusses her writing process and the inspiration for her renowned 2020 novel Hamnet. The Marriage Portrait, the Northern Irish author's widely anticipated new work, will also be revealed.

5. 'Ben Okri: Art at a Time of Crisis' is number five.

On the Main Stage on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

What does art have to say about today's challenges? The Booker Prize-winning novelist and poet will make a forceful argument for creative expression and how it can help us navigate through difficult times.

6. 'Crime and Thrillers: From Book to Screen'

Through their best-selling novels and script writing for adapted movies and TV plays, crime novelists Peter James, Kate Ruby, and Louise Candlish all know how to keep readers and television viewers enthralled. The trio will discuss the ins and outs of bringing their stories to life on the big screen.

7. 'Building A Better, Greener Business' is number seven.

Nielsen Books, one of the publishing industry's major data suppliers, will present statistics on how Covid-19 has impacted publishing supply chains on Thursday at 10 a.m. at Olympia Theatre.