Where to see the best author talks in London

Ali Smith and Alan Taylor on Muriel Spark

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth Scottish writer Dame Muriel Spark with fellow Scottish writer Ali Smith (Winter, How to be Both) and Spark's friend, the journalist Alan Taylor. They'll discuss their love of the writer who brought us The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Alan Taylor will introduce his new book on Spark: Appointment in Arezzo, based on their first meeting in 1990 in Tuscany.

An evening dedicated to Helen Dunmore

'Death, hold out your arms for me

Embrace me

Give me your motherly caress

Through all this suffering

You have not forgotten me.'

Written ten days before her death, 'Hold Out Your Arms' was added to the second edition of Helen Dunmore's posthumously published poetry collection Inside The Wave, which was just awarded Costa Book of the Year. In her honour, Foyles is holding an evening dedicated to the poet hosted by literary journalist Alex Clark.

Laura Bates – Misogynation: The True Scale of Sexism

'For every person who asks: 'Why didn’t she?', there is a woman who can answer: 'I did.' Criticising victim’s responses will never solve this problem. It is time to stop asking: 'Why didn’t she?' and start asking: 'Why didn’t we?'

After her groundbreaking 'Everyday Sexism' project, Laura Bates went on to be the Guardian's go-to commentator on feminist issues. Now she's releasing her second book based on her Guardian writing. You can buy your copy of Misogynation at the event and get it signed two days before its official release on 22 February. And you'll also learn how to say the title correctly.

Julian Barnes: In conversation with Hermione Lee

A match made in literary heaven – she's one of the most respected English professors, he's been nominated for the Booker Prize four times. Hermione Lee chats with Julian Barnes about his latest book, The Only Story which has already been hailed as even better than his excellent, Booker-Prizewinning The Sense of an Ending.

Michael Wolff in conversation with Armando Iannucci

Michael Wolff's sensational book about life in Trump's White House, Fire and Fury proved so popular that it was published early in January this year and had received orders for 1 million copies within its first week. Controversial and compulsive reading, you can now meet the author himself in London as he talks to Armando Iannucci, creator of The Thick of It and Veep. Expect the lines between farce and fact to get very blurry.

Imogen Hermes Gowar in conversation with Alex Peake Tomkinson

1780s London is filled with parlours and prostitutes. And when a mermaid is discovered by a ship's captain, the city becomes filled with rumours, too. That's the start of The Mermaid and Mrs Gower, by Imogen Hermes Gowar. You'll be able to hear the debut novelist read and discuss her book in March. It's lyrical historical fiction that's already been hailed as the next Essex Serpent. Expect 'an evening of historical romps'.

Victoria and Abdul: From Book to Screen

Author Shribani Basu uncovered the friendship between Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim when she discovered his portraits in Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. No one could say exactly who he was so she dug a little deeper to discover more. The resulting discovery became her book, which details an unconventional friendship between Queen and attendant. Victoria and Abdul became a feature film last year starring Judi Dench. Nearly a year after the film's release Basu comes to the British Library to talk about the the book and its film adaptation.

Daunt Books Festival 2018

Calling all bibliophiles: books are back on the agenda at the Daunt Books Festival 2018. Some of the best contemporary writers share thoughts on their books over two days at the bookseller's flagship store.

Yanis Varoufakis: Globalisation Vs Internationalism

For a mix of great art, great writing and a bit of economics thrown in, head to Royal Festival Hall. One of the most charismatic economists alive, the intensely watchable Yanis Varoufakis will talk about globalisation and how it has affected our economies and our lives. He'll have visual aids – his slides will be the incredible photographs by Andreas Gurksy (currently on display at the Hayward Gallery). Afterwards, Varofakis will sign copies of Talking to My Daughter About the Economy: A Brief History of Capitalism, a letter to his daughter explaining in layman's terms how exactly we got into this mess.

Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid's Tale

It's not in London, but get your tickets to the Hay Festival to see, among other stars, the great Margaret Atwood. Whilst most author talks are confined to promoting their latest novel, Atwood will be speaking about her 1985 masterpiece, the sensational, prophetic The Handmaid's Tale just after its television adaptation hits the air for season two in April.