London Literature Festival 2024

Uniting readers of every age to celebrate the written and spoken word, the annual London Literature Festival presents talks, readings, discussions and conversations with prestigious authors, rising literary stars, leading cultural observers and those making waves in written and spoken word.

This year's festival opening weekend is co-curated by the award-winning London-born rapper Ghetts. Showcasing the vibrant and collaborative relationship between spoken word and music, the critically-acclaimed artist lends his razor-sharp lyricism, humour and wordplay to two nights of music and poetry at the Southbank Centre.

EXCLUSIVE CONVERSATIONS & NEW BOOK LAUNCHES

TUE 22 OCT Keanu Reeves opens the Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival line-up with a UK-exclusive event celebrating his book The Book of Elsewhere, the enthralling new novel set in the world of the BRZRKR comic series.

WED 23 OCT Writer and performer Jordan Stephens returns to the Southbank Centre to present his new book Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak and Dogs - a personal take on the writer’s experiences with ADHD.

SAT 26 OCT In conversation with Kevin Maher, the author and actor Rupert Everett marks the release of his first book of stories The American No, a collection of seven tales of love and loss, drama and glamour, spliced with industry anecdotes and more.

SAT 26 OCT Accompanied by music and poetry, Robert Macfarlane will launch his new children’s book, The World to Come, along with a host of special guests. 

SAT 26 OCT On the twentieth anniversary of her historical-fantasy novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, the novelist Susanna Clarke introduces audiences to the latest story to join this fictional universe, The Wood at Midwinter. 

SUN 27 OCT Strap in for an unforgettable and existentially-loaded evening with the evolutionary biologist, author and public intellectual Richard Dawkins. Join him for an evening of reason, touching on topics from science to religion, life on earth and beyond.

TUE 29 OCT Legendary author Dame Jilly Cooper lays bare her career and discusses the latest TV adaptation of her iconic novels in Rivals: An Evening with Dame Jilly Cooper & Cast.

WED 30 OCT A journey into the heart of American suburbia, the latest novel by Taffy Brodesser-Akner will be a jumping off point for a discussion around the mainstays of Jewish Life in the United States.

THU 31 OCT British playwright and author Hanif Kureishi unveils his memoir Shattered, a tender reflection on the incident which left the writer paralysed.

SAT 2 NOV Kevin Barry will narrate a staged, abridged reading of his expansive novel The Heart in Winter accompanied by live theatrical and musical performances.

NEW VOICES IN THE SPOTLIGHT

WED 23 OCT Kicking off the festival with a night of Debut London Literature, the festival welcomes an exciting lineup of future writers who are launching their careers with tales of the city including Kaliane Bradley, Hannah Regel, Tom Lamont and Varaidzo, in conversation with Barry Pierce.

FRI 25 OCT Visiting the UK for the first time, two trailblazing Somali women writers, Yasmin Mohamed Kahin and Asha Lul Mohamud Yufu (Fri 25 Oct) will premier the first English translation of their breakthrough collections.

MUSIC AND LITERATURE

FRI 25 OCT Following UK dates at Glastonbury Festival and critical acclaim for his latest album On Purpose, With Purpose, guest co-curator Ghetts will perform for the first time at the Royal Festival Hall for an exclusive live performance.

SAT 26 OCT Bringing together the most exciting names in London’s creative scenes, the following evening, Ghetts Presents: An Evening of Poetry and Music offers an exclusive evening curated by the artist himself, consisting of performances and discussion on the lyrics and links to be found in poetry and rap.

FRI 1 NOV Hidden Tracks comes to the Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall. An incredible selection of storytellers recall how one song or piece of music has changed their life, at a night from the much-loved show OneTrackMinds.

BOUNDARY-BREAKING POETRY 

The Forward Prize-winning American poet Danez Smith headlines a special edition of resident music and poetry event Out-Spoken: October (Thu 24 Oct) hosted by the TS Eliot prize-winner, Joelle Taylor. Smith also returns to the Southbank Centre to present their searing new collection, Bluff (Sat 26 Oct).

Over four decades reporting on international conflict, Channel 4 News International Editor Lindsey Hilsum (Sat 26 Oct) has taken solace in poetry; returning to some of her favourite poems, Hilsum recalls memories from her experiences of conflicts from Palestine to Rwanda and beyond.

Hosted by Lemn Sissay OBE, the NPL Presents: The People’s Favourite Poets (Sat 26 Oct) sees the culmination of the National Poetry Library’s 70th birthday celebrations. This event brings together new poets who were invited to create 70-word poems with members of the New Poets Collective for an unmissable evening of performance.

The library’s annual Poetry Day! (Sat 26 Oct) takes over the Queen Elizabeth Hall, offering workshops, live performances and a chance to delve into the poetry archives.

FREE FAMILY EVENTS

FRI 25 OCT A special edition of Rug Rhymes (Fri 25 Oct), a song and rhyme session for under 5s, takes place in the Clore Ballroom.

SAT 26 OCT The National Poetry Library celebrates NPL Poetry Day! (Sat 26 Oct) offering readings and a chance to view the hidden gems within the largest public collection of modern poetry in the world.

WED 30 OCT A Line Art take to the Clore Ballroom for Alphabet Soup (Wed 30 Oct); a free, interactive installation celebrating the language of food for children between the ages of 5-11 years

TICKETED FAMILY EVENTS

In partnership with The Children’s Bookshow, author and illustrator Sydney Smith (Fri 25 Oct) presents an immersive experience with a chance to watch Sydney paint live on stage.

Pet-obsessed comedian Russell Kane (Wed 30 Oct) presents a children’s comedy show Pet Selector!, and Tall Stories presents a musical adaptation of David McKee’s much-loved The Elmer Adventure (30 Oct-3 Nov).