Battersea Literature Festival

The Battersea Literature Festival runs from the 1st to the 14th September and is an excellent opportunity for readers of all kinds to hear writers speak about their work. The festival’s strength is not only in the quality of its speakers, but also in its breadth; Laura Bates and Franceska Martinez will discuss different forms of prejudice, Hugh Pym and Bob Swarup will talk through the banking crisis, and Alex Wheatle will explain how to keep a reader interested.

Everyday Sexism: Laura Bates

The festival kicks off on September 1 with Laura Bates talking about ‘Everyday Sexism,’ a social media campaign which grew into a bestseller. Shocked by how routinely she was experiencing sexist behaviour, Bates, a young journalist, launched an appeal for others to share their stories. The response was so overwhelming that Bates was galvanised into action, collecting these stories and turning them into a searing critique of society’s ingrained prejudices.

Literary Lunch with David Mitchell

The festival’s centrepiece is the Literary Lunch with David Mitchell. A £30 ticket entitles guests to a three-course meal, a copy of Mitchell’s eagerly-anticipated book, The Bone Clocks , and a chance to hear the acclaimed author talk about his life’s work. Twice shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, Mitchell is one of modern Britain’s most renowned and adaptable writers, who recently made headlines when he published a story through Twitter. However, it is for longer, more complex works like Cloud Atlas that he is best known.

All About the Book Trade

The festival will also host a number of talks about the book trade; James Daunt, owner of Waterstones and Daunt Books, will discuss ‘The Future of the Bookshop,’ whilst Anna Nyburg, professor at Imperial College, London, will discuss the influence of immigration on the British publishing industry, at a talk entitled ‘Émigrés: the transformation of Art Publishing in Britain.’ 

The Battersea Literary Festival has something for everyone; click here to view the full programme.