The week ahead in literary London
Wednesday: David Mitchell's doing the rounds this week to promote his new book, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. Tonight he's at Foyles on Charing Cross Road (6.30pm, free, email to reserve a place) but if you miss this, there's another chance on Friday.
Poejazzi comes to The Last Days of Decadence in Shoreditch, and brings Ross Sutherland and Keith Jarrett with them (8pm, £5).
Literary Death Match is back! Which of the four readers - Jim Bob, Stuart Evers, Tim Clare or Helen Mort - will become the ultimate winner? On hand at The Book Club to disseminate judgement are the Kaiser Chief's Nick Hodgson, Tessa Mayes and Terry Saunders (8pm, £6 / £5 / £4).
Thursday: The Asia House Festival of Asian Literature kicked off yesterday with a sold-out talk by Fatima Bhutto, but you can always try for Yasmin Alibhai-Brown chatting about her memoir (6.45pm, £11.50 / £7.50).
It's an election special at Bang Said the Gun (The Roebuck SE1, 8pm, £5). Perhaps you could enjoy the talents of David J and Gwyneth Herbert, as well as the usual Bang Said crew, before heading off to watch the election unfold elsewhere?
Poetic Seconds presents Simon David with his first poetry collection, plus a performance by Word Company of Dance, at the Fara Charity Shop in Notting Hill (7.30pm, £2.50).
Singer songwriter VV Brown and director / illustrator David Allain launch their new comic book series, The City of Abacus, at The Book Club (7pm, free).
Friday: Isy Suttie does her stand-up and brings on poets Shane Solanski, Liv Torc and Rob Auton at The Albany (8pm, £8 / £5). Comedy and poetry? What's not to like?
If Wednesday wasn't enough notice to see David Mitchell, he'll be signing copies of his new book at Waterstones on Gower Street from 1pm.
Dulwich Festival's poetry night is a good one: Jo Shapcott, Maura Dooley, Anthony Joseph and Maurice Riordan share the floor with open mic contributions and live music (7.30pm, £8 / £6).
If you want some slam poetry get down to the Poetry Cafe (8pm) for an evening hosted by Kat Francois.
Saturday: If you weren't lucky enough to win tickets to Vintage Day at Foyles, you'll just have to buy them. Martin Amis, AS Byatt, Toby Litt and Julie Myerson are a few of the authors appearing (10.30am, £18 / £15).
There's storytelling from the Silk Road at the Festival of Asian Literature (2pm, free but booking essential). Aimed at 7-10 year olds, the tales will be followed by creative workshops.
The Travel Bookshop has arranged a series of talks at Christie's. Today you can catch Diane Atkinson on the extraordinary bravery of Elsie Knocker and Mairi Chisholm at 11am (£6), and Anthony Sattin talking to David Waller about Florence Nightingale and Gustave Flaubert at 2pm (£6).
Niall O'Sullivan nurtures new poetry talent in The Cellar at the Poetry Cafe (8pm, £4 / £3).
Sunday: Leah Fritz and Fiona Sampson are the named readers at Torriano Poets in Kentish Town (7.30pm, £5 / £3), plus performances from the floor.
Monday: Tariq Ali reads from and discusses Night of the Golden Butterfly, his latest book and conclusion of the Islam Quintet historical cycle, at the British Library (6.45pm, £6 / £4).
Exiled Writers Ink has a night of literature, music and food from west of the River Jordan. Lina Abu Baker, Rabai Al Madhoun and Haim Bresheeth read at the Poetry Cafe (7.30pm, £4).
Kid, I Wrote Back is a new(ish) open mic event at Bar Kick in Shoreditch (7pm, £3, free to perform). Last month's performers included MC Angel and Raymond Antrobus - who knows who'll appear this time (you?).
Tuesday: Hilary Spurling discusses the work in China of human rights campaigner Pearl Buck as part of the Festival of Asian Literature (6.45pm, £11.50 / £7.50).
Spread the Word hosts its own bookswap tonight (6.30pm, £7), billed as a networking event for writers and readers. You can bring up to five books so it's a good opportunity to start refreshing your shelves.
Australian poet Les Murray gives the Poetry Society Annual Lecture at Senate House (7pm, £12 / £8) on the subject of word-collecting. Find out what he does with rangas, pobbledonks, belly leggings and jail tats.
