Islington Central Library, London • March 13 – 16th, 2024

London’s most inclusive book fair.

Coinciding with the end of London Book Fair 2024, the inaugural Alternative Book Fair is a week of publishing and author events to bring the world of publishing and literature to a wider audience, especially aspiring authors, emerging writers and avid readers.

All Events are free, including access to the Indie Press Fair, all day, Saturday 16th, thanks to Islington Libraries, the Arts Council England, Watson, Little Literary Agency, Indie Novella and The Diversity in Publishing Partnership

WEDNESDAY

13/3 6.30pm

In Conversation with Ajay Chowdhury

Award Winning Crime Writer Ajay Chowdhury talks about his latest book The Spy (Penguin April 2024), his Kamil Rahman series whose first book – The Waiter – was named the Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month and is currently in TV development with Moonage Pictures, and how we can inspire more writers to take up crime writing.

THURSDAY

14/3 6.30pm

Female authors Writing on Womanhood & Motherhood

Celebrating March’s International Women's Day, our panel of three acclaimed authors Chloë Ashby, Kate Maxwell, Rose Diell talk with journalist, Emily Rhodes, about examining and challenging societal norms and expectations on motherhood, identity and choice. Event in partnership with local charity Book Banks.

SATURDAY

16/3 ALL DAY

The Indie Press Fair

Meet some of the UK’s most inspirational independent publishers, with a day of stalls and events from the publishers of the world’s most innovative fiction and non-fiction, including Dead Ink Books, Weather Glass Books, Renard Press, Indie Novella, Heloise Press, Scorpius Books, Istros Books, Afsana Press, Deixis Press, époque press, SRL Publishing, Goat Star Books, SmashBear & Prototype Publishing.

10.30am until 5pm - Stalls running All Day: Opportunity for readers and writers to meet leading independent publishers, experience their books, meet authors, and ask any question about publishing.

11am: A History of Publishing with Andrew Hayward – Legendary publisher Andrew Hayward has worked in the publishing industry for nearly forty years for names such as Penguin and Constable and Robinson. Andrew speaks about the development of publishing in the UK, from the early days of printing, right up to publishing in the present day.

11:30am: Gallery Walk with Sarah Airriess, and see her work on The Making of The Worst Journey in the World Graphic Novel.

12.30pm: Debut Authors Panel – Aclaimed and prizing winning authors Xaviere Musih Tedji, Emma Brand and Mira Marcinow speak of their journey as writers and the steps (and awards) along the way to their first published novel. The authors will also offer advice to aspiring authors.

2pm: Publishing Panel with leading independent publishers including Will Dady of Renard Press and Neil Griffiths of Weather Glass Books and the Republic of Consciousness Prize.

4pm: In Conversation with Marieke Bigg and Phoebe McIntosh — Two breakthrough novelists discuss their work and latest books, which tackle usch topical societal issues. Waiting for Ted is the debut novel of by Marieke Bigg. Fervently feminist, this book of literary fiction charts the destruction of a relationship at the hands of an expensive chaise longue. Phoebe McIntosh was on the cover of The Bookseller in November 2023 with her novel dealing with the legacy of British Colonialsm, Dominoes, tipped as one of debuts of 2024.

Free Tickets ➡