Author appearances, poetry and spoken word events in London this week
Plan Ahead
LITERATURE FESTIVAL: The Asia House Literature Festival runs from 6-21 May, with authors such as Brigid Keenan, Kamila Shamsie and John Keay taking part in various events. See full programme here.
FOYLES REOPENING: When Foyles on Charing Cross Road relocates to, er, further down Charing Cross Road, there will be a Grand Reopening Festival, with the likes of Hilary Mantel, Michael Palin and Jarvis Cocker. More information here. 11 June-5 July
KEATS FESTIVAL: Booking is now open for the events at the Keats Festival 2014, celebrating 200 years since Keats wrote his first poem. See full programme and book tickets here. 7-15 June
Thursday 8 May
FREE MILKSHAKE: On the off chance that you buy a copy of The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair from Foyles on Charing Cross Road today, take it round the corner to Ed's Easy Diner in Soho and claim a free milkshake. All day.
BOOK LAUNCH: At Daunt Books in Marylebone, best-selling travel writer Tim Butcher talks about his new book, The Trigger, which is about the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914. £8, prebook, 7pm
STAND-UP POETRY: Bang Said The Gun is a stand-up poetry gig at The Roebuck on Great Dover Street. Tonight's poets are Salena Godden and Deanna Rodger. £7/£5, just turn up, 8pm
POETRY: Survivors Poetry at the Poetry Cafe consist of poetry, music, variety floor spots and special guests. £3.50/2.50/1.50, just turn up, 8pm
SPOKEN WORD: Apples and Snakes is a showcase of queer spoken word, hosted by Rosie Wilby, with Joelle Taylor, Sophia Blackwell and Keith Jarrett. Part of Wandsworth Arts Festival. £5, prebook, 8pm
Friday 9 May
PRIVATE EYE: At the National Theatre, Craig Brown hosts an evening of literary goodness with Eleanor Bron,
Jan Ravens and Peter Serafinowicz, author A N Wilson, and editor of Private Eye, Ian Hislop. £4, prebook, 6pm
STRUGGLING AUTHORS: Sir Ronald Harwood hosts a panel discussion about the financial perils of being a writer and the assistance the Royal Literary Fund offers. Panelists are Claire Tomalin, Jeremy Lewis and Richard Holmes. £5/£4/£3, prebook, 6.30pm
MIMIC POETRY: The Betsey Trotwood in Clerkenwell hosts the launch of The Mimic Octopus, a poetry anthology celebrating a time when poets were encouraged to mimic the work of others. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm
SPOKEN WORD: Head to the Poetry Cafe for Talking To Strangers, a spoken word evening with music and comedy thrown in.£5/£4, just turn up, 8pm
Saturday 10 May
RADICAL BOOKS: The London Radical Bookfair takes place at Bishopsgate Institute with stalls from radical booksellers, publishers, zine makers, artists and activists. Free, just turn up, 10am-5pm
WAR POETRY: Afternoon Poems at Keats House takes on the theme of the First World War. The Keats House Poetry Ambassadors will read poetry and prose from some of the most well known writers of the war. Free with Keats House admission, just turn up, 3pm
POETRY: Platform 1 at the Poetry Cafe is an opportunity for up and coming poets to perform alongside established acts. £5/£4, just turn up, 7pm
Sunday 11 May
BANGLADESH: Rich Mix hosts the Boishakhi Literature Festival, an event focusing on literature from Bangladesh, with a book fair, poetry recitals, and guest speakers. Free, just turn up, 11am/7.30pm
STORYTELLING WORKSHOP: Parasol unit in Islington have a family storytelling workshop, with a theme of ‘My Brother the Alien’. For children age 5-15 years. £5, prebook, 2.30pm
EAST END WOMEN: Head to Rich Mix for the launch of The Fox And The Tiger, a book put together in collaboration with the women of East London, exploring the themes of identity and bravery. Meet some of the local women and artists involved in making the book. Free, just turn up, 3pm
TORRIANO POETS: At this week’s Torriano Poets meeting, Ruth Ingram, Jack Stanley, Anna Meryt, Jo Brandon and Diana Bishop share their work. £5/£4, just turn up, 7.30pm
Monday 12 May
LOCAL PERFORMERS: Up-and-coming London spoken word artists will all perform at Rich Mix, alongside singers, rappers and more. Free, tweet @Allsortz1 to book, 7pm
EXILED WRITERS: Exiled Writers is a monthly gathering for writers who have been exiled from their home country. Takes place at the Poetry Cafe. £4/£2, just turn up, 8pm
Tuesday 13 May
FANTASY SPEAKEASY: Drink Shop Do hosts a Speakeasy evening with a fantasy theme. Authors will give readings, and storytellers will create stories on the spot, with themes chosen by the audience. Free, just turn up, 7pm
HISTORIC INTEREST: Andrew Collins head to Foyles on Charing Cross Road to celebrate the publication of his new book Göbekli Tepe: Genesis of the Gods, about an ancient cave complex he discovered in Turkey. He will be answering questions and signing copies. £3, prebook, 7pm
BOOK LAUNCH: Patrick Ness, author of the Chaos Walking trilogy, launches his new book for young adults, More Than This, at Lutyens & Rubinstein. £8, prebook, 7pm
ADULT STORYTELLING: Crick Crack Club, the adult storytelling night at The Forge in Camden, has a theme of Eros & Psyche tonight, explored by performance storyteller Sally Pomme Clayton. £10/£8, prebook, 7.30pm
THEMED STORIES: The monthly Liars’ League takes place at the Phoenix, with actors telling new stories written specifically for the night along the theme of Beginning & End. If that’s not enough, join in the famous half-time book quiz. £5, just turn up, 7.30pm
OPEN MIC: Poetry Unplugged is an open mic night at the Poetry Cafe. £5/£4, just turn up, 7.30pm
Wednesday 14 May
EUROPEAN LITERATURE NIGHT: The British Library supports European Literature Night with an evening with six authors from across the continent: Jonas T Bengtsson, Julia Franck, Antoine Laurain, Diego Marani, Witold Szablowski and Dimitri Verhulst. £10, prebook, 6.30pm
BRICK LANE: At Waterstones Piccadilly, Phil Maxwell talks about his project photographing Brick Lane daily for 30 years. Free, prebook, 7pm
LOOSE MUSE: Hosted by Agnes Meadow, Loose Muse at the Poetry Cafe is event for women writers of all genres, with an open mic spot.£5/£3, just turn up, 8pm
Follow @LondonistLit for our pick of that day’s literary events.
