The Online Book Fair Seminar Line-Up Revealed Yomi Adegoke to deliver Keynote Speech

Speakers from United Nations, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Columbia University, NielsenIQ, Wellcome Trust, Jacaranda Books, UCL and more

Authors including Matt Haig, Abi Silver, Lola Shoneyin, Chloe Gong, Paul Mason, Lucy Caldwell, and many more

Keynote to be given by Slay in Your Lane author Yomi Adegoke

London. 17 June 2021: The London Book Fair has today unveiled the full programme for The Online Book Fair, with a wide variety of seminars, panel debates, author events and more taking place from 21st June to 1st July.

Covering topics from diverse narratives to sustainable publishing, children’s access to books to Brexit and bookselling, the programme for The Online Book Fair offers key insights into the pressing issues facing the publishing industry today.

The events programme will kick off with a keynote speech given by journalist, podcaster and author Yomi Adegoke, who will be discussing diversity in publishing and how the industry can become more inclusive and accessible. Adegoke is known for her acclaimed book Slay In Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible, co-authored with Elizabeth Uviebinené, which is comprised of interviews with thirty-nine black British women across different industries, exploring what life is really like for Black women today. The book was followed by a podcast series of the same name and a companion book Slay In Your Lane: The Journal. Adegoke is an award-winning journalist with a weekly column in The Guardian and monthly columns at British Vogue and the i newspaper. In addition to writing regularly for The Washington Post, VICE and Elle, among others, she is the host of the Women’s Prize for Fiction podcast, where she interviews high profile guests and celebrates the best fiction written by women. She was named one of Evening Standard’s most influential people in London in 2018 and has won a Groucho Maverick Award and Marie Clare Future Shaper Award.

The international line up of speakers at The Online Book Fair includes: Sherri Aldis, Chief of United Nations Publications, leading a conversation about the UN’s Green Book Alliance and sustainable publishing; Bodour Al Qasimi (International Publishers Association) speaking on why accessibility to books is essential for children around the world; Jacaranda Books founder and CEO Valerie Brandes discussing the publisher’s work championing Black voices and stories; literary and TV scout Philippa Donovan on adapting books to screen; YA Book Prize Judge Caroline Carpenter (The Bookseller) chairing a session on getting noticed in the crowded YA market; and David Hetherington (Books International) talking about mitigation of risk in the book supply chain.

Authors taking part in The Online Book Fair come from genres ranging from crime to young adult, graphic novels to non-fiction, including: Abi Silver, Lola Shoneyin, RJ McBrien, Alexandra Christos, Paul Mason, Lucy Caldwell, Mark Stay, Mark Gevisser, Lisa Bent, Chloe Gong, Anni Domingo, and more. Matt Haig is Author of the Fair, appearing in conversation with journalist and comedian Viv Groskop at 9.15am on 29th July.

Building on previous years’ Fairs programmes, the Online Book Fair will feature a number of sessions centred around the world of literary translation including: Dr. Uta Steiger (University College London) discussing challenges of Catalan translation; and Dr. Kavita Bhanot (Leicester University) on translating in a second or additional language. The English PEN Literary Salon will host events discussing publishing topics from around the globe, including: Sarah Clarke, Head of Europe and Central Asia at ARTICLE 19 chairing a panel on fighting censorship in publishing; activist lisa luxx and writer Selma Dabbagh speaking on Arab women writing love, lust and desire; bestselling author of PostCapitalism and award-winning Channel 4 presenter Paul Mason discussing his new book How to Stop Fascism; and many more.

Hannah Brewer, Conference Manager at The London Book Fair said: “We are so excited to announce the incredible programme for The Online Book Fair, featuring bestselling authors, award-winning journalists, publishing experts and many more wonderful speakers. With panels, seminars and talks on topics ranging from censorship to environmental sustainability, literary translation to accessibility, this year’s programme tackles the key issues facing the publishing world today, and we look forward to hearing the vital insights being shared at these sessions.”