Foyles

Saturday 20 March 11am - 5pm

Picador Day

In association with leading literary imprint Picador, we invite you to spend the day with top authors and publishing insiders as they discuss literature from all angles.

11am - 12pm Family and Self

Things are getting personal in the first session of the day, as our panel of authors discuss the ways writers bring their nearest and dearest into their work, and reflect on literature's greatest fictional families. With:

12.30pm - 1.30pm Writing of Place

How do you conjure up the spirit of a place in writing? And how important is the setting in shaping a work of literature? Our four literary explorers will attempt to find out. With:

1.30pm - 2.30pm Break

2.30pm - 3.30pm Poetry and Beyond

How easy it for a writer of prose to create poetry? And what happens when a poet decides to put verse to one side? Discover the answers with our multi-talented panel. With:

4pm - 5pm Becoming a Writer

If you've ever dreamed of getting published then our final panel, including freshly published debut novelists and experienced creative writing teachers, will guide you through the whole process, from writing your first sentence to seeing your book on the shelves. With:

Tickets are £18/£15 concessions covering admission to all four sessions and are available to purchase by following the links below. Tickets include a goody bag.

The Gallery at Foyles

Wednesday 24 March 6.30pm

Roddy Lumsden Identity Parade: New British and Irish Poets

Tonight more than 20 poets, including Sarah Corbett, Luke Kennard, Nick Laird, Sally Read, Catherine Smith and John Stammers, read their poems back-to-back in the Gallery to mark the publication of Roddy Lumsden's new anthology Identity Parade. Forward- and TS Eliot Prize-shortlisted Lumsden has drawn together the work of 85 poets to reflect the diversity of poetry in the last fifteen years, and this extraordinary event provides a fantastic sample of the eclecticism and quality of writing in the anthology.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

The Gallery at Foyles

Thursday 25 March, 6.30pm

Kat Banyard - The Equality Illusion: Why Women and Men Still Aren't Equal

Today it is widely believed that feminism has achieved its aims, and that women and men have achieved equality. And yet women working full-time in the UK are paid on average 17% less than men, and domestic violence causes more death and disability among women aged 16-44 than cancer or traffic accidents. Tonight Kat Banyard, former Campaigns Officer at the Fawcett Society, argues that feminism is one of the most urgent and relevant social justice campaigns today.

This event is the second in the Faber Manifesto Series, click here for the next event in the series.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

The Gallery at Foyles

Monday 29 March 6.30pm

Donna Leon - A Question of Belief

In an exclusive event, Donna Leon leaves her adopted city of Venice behind for a rare visit to London. A Question of Belief combines thrilling intrigue with her celebrated evocation of modern-day Venice, as Commissario Brunetti uncovers a deadly plot at the Courthouse, while the city is pounded by a devastating heatwave. Tonight is your chance to hear Donna Leon read from her new novel and learn how she finds her inspiration amongst the bridges and piazzas of the City of Water.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

The Gallery at Foyles

Wednesday 31 March, 6.30pm

Phillip Blond - Red Tory: How Progressive Conservatism Can Rescue Britain

Conventional politics is at a crossroads. Amid recession, depression, poverty, increasing violence and rising inequality, our current politics is exhausted and inadequate. This evening, Founder and Director of think tank ResPublica Phillip Blond argues that only a radical new political settlement can tackle the problems we face.

This event is the third in the Faber Manifesto Series. Click here for the next event in the series.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

The Gallery at Foyles

Tuesday 6 April 6.30pm

Steve Caplin 100% Photoshop

In his last event at Foyles, Steve Caplin showed a captivated audience how Photoshop can transform an ordinary photograph beyond all recognition. Tonight he returns to share the secrets of his new book as he demonstrates how the software can be used to create stunning images entirely from scratch.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

The Gallery at Foyles

Wednesday 14 April 6.30pm

David Crystal - A Little Book of Language

Ever wondered just what an Adam's apple is actually for, or why Yoda's speech is back-to-front? Find out as renowned linguist David Crystal returns to the Gallery to discuss his latest work, a charming and light-hearted introduction to the mysteries of linguistics.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

The Gallery at Foyles

Thursday 15 April 6.30pm

Crime Writing/ Is Writing a Crime?

A Writers in Prison Committee Anniversary Event

Deon Meyer, Natalia Morari and Leonardo Padura, chaired by Duncan Campbell

Bringing together fiction and non-fiction crime writers, this event aims to explore the many facets of writing about crime. How do fiction writers imagine the seedy underworld of crime? How do these tales compare to the real stories written by non-fiction crime writers? Have fiction writers ever encountered the real-life danger that the non-fiction writers put themselves in because of their writing? And, most importantly, how do any of these writers manage to get these images out of their minds and to sleep at night? The event will be chaired by Duncan Campbell, Guardian journalist and author of two novels and five non-fiction books, including The Underworld.

In association with International PEN's Free the Word! Festival

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

The Gallery at Foyles

Monday 19 April, 6.30pm

Negotiating the Past

Antjie Krog, Achmat Dangor, Mandla Langa and Zoe Wicomb

How do we deal with a painful past, and how do we move forward while still learning the lessons of history? This evening Claire Fox chairs a panel of acclaimed South African authors to discuss the importance of remembering or forgetting in relation to a troubled history.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

The Gallery at Foyles

Held in conjunction with London Book Fair and the British Council.

Wednesday 21 April, 6.30pm

Andre Brink in conversation with Isobel Dixon

Prize-winning South African novelist Andre Brink joins us in the Foyles Gallery to discuss his life and work, including his recent memoir A Fork in the Road. Brink's memoir tells the story of a life lived in tumultuous times, of his love of art, music, theatre and sport, and of his life-shaping encounters with everyone from Nadine Gordimer to Desmond Tutu to Nelson Mandela. Please do come along as poet Isobel Dixon speaks to one of South Africa's literary legends.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

The Gallery at Foyles

Held in conjunction with London Book Fair and the British Council.

Friday 23 April 6pm

JT LeRoy AKA Laura Albert and friends

Enigmatic and controversial novelist JT LeRoy became famous for his dark tales of abuse, apparently inspired by his own troubled childhood. His rare public appearances - in which he always appeared dressed in a wig and dark glasses - shed little light on this mysterious figure, and in 2006 it was revealed that JT LeRoy was in fact the alter ego of writer Laura Albert. In tonight's truly unique event Laura joins us for a reading of her work and to answer your questions on being JT LeRoy.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

The Gallery at Foyles

Tuesday 27 April 6.30pm

Maggie O'Farrell and Lionel Shriver The Hand That First Held Mine and So Much for That

This evening two of today's most original, insightful and hard-hitting novelists discuss their new works of fiction in the Gallery. Lionel Shriver, author of the brilliant and controversial Orange Prize-winning, We Need To Talk About Kevin, joins Maggie O'Farrell, whose gift for psychological tension has made books like The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox into bestsellers.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

The Gallery at Foyles

Wednesday 5 May, 6.30pm

David Mitchell - The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet

Already twice Booker-shortlisted, the author of Cloud Atlas and Ghostwritten sets his latest breath-taking novel in a Dutch trading colony off the coast of Japan in 1799, where love seeks to cross the divide between the merchant class of the West and the traditional warrior class of Japan. Join us as David Mitchell reads from and discusses his new novel, and enjoy a unique glimpse into the life and work of one of our favourite writers.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

The Gallery at Foyles

Saturday 8 May 11-5pm

Vintage Classics Day

Join us we present a full day of events in association with leading literary imprint Vintage.

Vintage Travel
Classic travel writing can transport us to exciting destinations without even having to leave the comfort of our armchairs; it can also be an invaluable guide for anyone about to embark on a journey. Acclaimed author Toby Litt; biographer, critic, broadcaster and novelist Victoria Glendinning and traveller, broadcaster and journalist Sara Wheeler will talk about the travel writers who have inspired them and their journeys, from Apsley Cherry-Garrard and Elizabeth Bowen to Robert Byron.

Judging a book by its cover
What makes the perfect book jacket? Suzanne Dean, creative director of Random House, Rachel Cugnoni, Vintage publisher and a Foyles bookseller discuss the publishing process and book design, chaired by Laura Hassan, Editorial Director of Vintage Classics.

Help decide what a book will look like! This event will feature a vote on the cover of a soon-to-be-published book.

AS Byatt and Adam Foulds in conversation
International bestselling and award-winning AS Byatt, author of the Vintage Modern Classics Possession and The Children's Book, will be in conversation with Adam Foulds, acclaimed author of the Booker shortlisted novel The Quickening Maze, talking about their literary influences. Chaired by Peter Kemp, Literary Editor of The Sunday Times.

Sex in Literature
From D H Lawrence to Alan Hollinghurst, sex in novels has always caused controversy. Howard Jacobson Julie Myerson and Hephzibah Anderson discuss sex in literature. Chaired by award-winning journalist Rachel Cooke.

Tickets are £18/£15 concessions and are available to purchase by following the links below.

The Gallery at Foyles

Monday 24 May 6.30pm for 7pm - Exclusive London Event

Daniel Clowes, Chris Ware and Audrey Niffenegger

In an unmissable event, three of the world's bestselling graphic novelists discuss their extraordinary careers and answer your questions. Daniel Clowes, creator of the acclaimed Ghost World, David Boring and the brand new Wilson, will be talking to Chris Ware, whose widely celebrated work Jimmy Corrigan was the first graphic novel ever to win the Guardian First Book Award. Completing the line-up is Audrey Niffenegger, creator of such beguiling 'novels in pictures' as The Three Incestuous Sisters and The Adventuress. Join us as these incredible artists share the secrets of their craft and sign copies of their books.

The Cochrane Theatre, Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AP

Tickets: £8/£6

Thursday 27 May, 6.30pm

Lucy Worsley - The Secret History of Kensington Palace

While the tales of Kensington Palace royalty are often told, the lives of the courtiers who lived and worked there hold equal fascination. Among them, a vice chamberlain with many vices, a maid of honour with a secret marriage, a pushy painter, an alcoholic equerry, two mysterious turbaned Turks and any number of discarded royal mistresses. Tonight Lucy Worsley, Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces, offers an eye-opening portrait of an enthralling group of servants.

This event is the fourth in the Faber Manifesto Series. Click here for the next event in the series.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

The Gallery at Foyles

Tuesday 1 June 6.30pm

Mark Vernon with Rebecca Abrams and Robert Rowland Smith - The Meaning of Friendship

In his new, accessible philosophy of friendship, Mark Vernon examines the complex concept of friendship, covering everything from the writings of Plato to the meaning of friendship in the age of the internet. Mark is joined tonight by author and journalist Rebecca Abrams and philosopher Robert Rowland Smith as they explore the strange bonds that tie us all together.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

The Gallery at Foyles

Thursday 24 June, 6.30pm

Marek Kohn - Turned Out Nice: How the British Isles Will Change as the World Heats Up

This evening, one of the UK's foremost science writers offers a fiercely honest projection of the future of one small corner of the planet: the islands of Britain and Ireland. Kohn has looked closely at six landscapes and one city to show how our world will have altered over the course of a century, arguing that in the near future we will have paid a terrible price for what has until now been relative good fortune.

This event is the fifth in the Faber Manifesto Series.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

The Gallery at Foyles

Lunchtime Concerts

Join us on Friday lunchtimes for our new regular series of free classical concerts, in the intimate setting of our Gallery. Taking place twice a month, the concerts will feature a diverse range of artists and ensembles performing works from across the classical repertoire.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.

Friday 26 March 1pm
Arion Quartet with Nicolas Cherniavsky, Cello

SCHUBERT 12 German Dances
RAVEL 3 movements from the Mother Goose Suite
SCOTT JOPLIN 3 Rags for string quintet (Original Rags, Wall street Rag & Rose Leaf Rag)
JAMES SCOTT 3 Rags for String Quintet (Prosperity Rag, Modesty Rag & Paramount Rag)

This will be the first public performance of Nicolas Cherniavsky’s new arrangements of these remarkable rags by James Scott and Scott Joplin.

Friday 16 April 1pm
Trilogy Clarinet Ensemble

Programme TBC

Trilogy was formed in 2007 from the three first-year clarinettists at the Royal Academy of Music. They won the Nicholas Blake Prize for wind and brass chamber music, and have since had a variety of concerts including playing at Dame Thea King’s Memorial Concert, recitals in Southwark Cathedral and Windsor, and private events in venues such as Waddesdon Manor and Tate Britain. In 2008 Trilogy expanded to form a clarinet quartet. They perform a wide variety of repertoire from arrangements to original music, from Mozart to Piazzolla Tangos. Keen to promote new music, Trilogy has also commissioned new works for the ensemble.

Friday 21 May 1pm
Masachi Nishiyama, Piano

JS BACH Goldberg Variations

Masachi Nishiyama is increasingly gaining recognition for her work both as soloist and as a collaborative pianist. She has performed at numerous venues ranging from music clubs to St Martin-in-the-Fields, St James', Piccadilly, Bristol and Southwark Cathedrals and Oxford Colleges, to many music festivals worldwide; France, Italy, Austria, Japan and in the UK. She made her debut solo recital in Tokyo at the International Artist Association of Japan, where she won the Special Prize, and later won first prize at the Hokkaido Music Camp in Japan. She also enjoys her work as a chamber musician, regularly giving duo recitals with the violinist Haruko Motohashi, both in the UK and in Japan. Avocado Music Productions will be releasing a CD of their performances later in 2010.

LONDON BOOK FAIR

Foyles is very pleased to be the official bookselling partner of the London Book Fair again, where this year's market focus is South Africa. We'll be supporting the English PEN Literary Cafe with their events programme and hosting a number of South African Literature events here at our shop on Charing Cross Road. Details of those events are coming soon, so watch this space...

On Saturday 17 April, the LBF will host a number of seminars open to the public in Earls Court. Please see details below for event times and booking information.

Saturday 17 April
11am - 1pm
Conference Centre Rooms 1 & 2, Level 3, Earls Court 1

How to Get Published Masterclass

Danuta Kean, journalist; Carole Blake, agent; Mark Booth, publisher; Meg Rosoff, author; Lionel Shriver, author.

Now in its eighth year, The London Book Fair Masterclass has established itself as a must-attend event. The How to Get Published Masterclass 2010 will feature high-profile authors and leading experts in the publishing industry in a session that will enlighten, entertain and offer invaluable advice about how to turn your manuscript into the next bestseller.

Cost: £35 before 28 February, for tickets click here

Saturday 17 April
2.30pm - 5pm
Conference Centre Rooms 1 & 2, Level 3, Earls Court 1

How to Write for Screen: Film & TV Masterclass

Julian Friedmann, agent; David Nicholls, author.

Do you want to write for film or television? How do you go about learning the best way to tell your stories in script format? What books (and scripts) should you read? Do you need to do a degree in scriptwriting or can you do short courses? Who should you submit to and what should you submit? Are film and television writers different from novelists? This Masterclass will answer all these questions and more. So if you want to write for film or television, don't miss this event with a distinguished panel from film, TV and books.

Cost: £35 before 28 February, for tickets click here

Monday 19 April, 6.30pm

Negotiating the Past

Antjie Krog, Achmat Dangor, Mandla Langa and Zoe Wicomb

How do we deal with a painful past, and how do we move forward while still learning the lessons of history? This evening Claire Fox chairs a panel of acclaimed South African authors to discuss the importance of remembering or forgetting in relation to a troubled history.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.
The Gallery at Foyles

Held in conjunction with London Book Fair and the British Council.

Wednesday 21 April, 6.30pm

Andre Brink in conversation with Isobel Dixon

Prize-winning South African novelist Andre Brink joins us in the Foyles Gallery to discuss his life and work, including his recent memoir A Fork in the Road. Brink's memoir tells the story of a life lived in tumultuous times, of his love of art, music, theatre and sport, and of his life-shaping encounters with everyone from Nadine Gordimer to Desmond Tutu to Nelson Mandela. Please do come along as poet Isobel Dixon speaks to one of South Africa's literary legends.

Tickets: Free, email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve a place.
The Gallery at Foyles

Held in conjunction with London Book Fair and the British Council.

Thursday 22nd April, 6.30pm

Kevin Bloom

In this special London Book Fair Bookshop Barnie, Austin Williams interviews award-winning South African journalist Kevin Bloom. Bloom will discuss his latest book, Ways of Staying, a narrative non-fiction journey through contemporary South Africa.

Bookshop Barnies

In these stimulating salon-style discussions authors are challenged in front of an audience to justify their work and fight their corner.

Thursday 18 March 7.00pm

David Willetts MP

The Shadow Minister for Universities and Skills defends his new book, The Pinch, in which he lays the blame for the current financial crisis squarely at the door of the baby boomer generation.

Thursday 22nd April, 6.30pm

Kevin Bloom

In this special London Book Fair Bookshop Barnie, Austin Williams interviews award-winning South African journalist Kevin Bloom. Bloom will discuss his latest book, Ways of Staying, a narrative non-fiction journey through contemporary South Africa.

The Gallery at Foyles
Tickets are free, but places must be reserved in advance.
To book a place, please email futurecitiesproject@gmail.com

Ray's Jazz  

Thursday 24 March 6pm

Manzin & Lo Castro Quintet - Resident Artists

A truly outstanding new project led by the two composers Roberto Manzin and Francesco Lo Castro, which features some of the best and busiest Italian jazz players in the country, they will be playing original compositions with a Mediterranean flavour by Manzin and Lo Castro.

:: Roberto Manzin - Tenor/Alto Sax
:: Francesco Lo Castro - Guitar
:: Will Butterworth - Piano
:: Nick Pini - Double Bass
:: Peter Ibbeston - Drums

The Café at Foyles

Friday 26 March 6pm

Liz Cole

Fresh from releasing her debut album Tout Droit, containing fresh new interpretations of classics such as 'Eleanor Rigby' and 'New York State of Mind', and prior to jetting off on her world tour, Liz Cole plays an intimate set in the Ray's Jazz Café.

:: Liz Cole - Voice
:: David Frankle - Piano

The Café at Foyles

Thursday 15 April 6pm

Branco Stoysin Duo

This original and highly lyrical guitarist performs in the Café to launch his new album Inexhaustible.

:: Branco Stoysin - Guitar
:: Leslee Booth - Electric Bass

The Café at Foyles

Friday 16 April 6pm

Robert Mitchell Solo

Robert leads two award winning groups - Robert Mitchell 3io (Best Jazz Album 2009 - Gilles Peterson Worldwide Awards) and Robert Mitchell's Panacea (BBC Jazz Awards 2004 Innovation - as part of the F-ire Collective). He has released five albums , and will also be a judge on the Nottingham International Solo Jazz Piano Competition (2010). He has been a Steinway Artist since 2009.

:: Robert Mitchell - Piano

The Café at Foyles

Wednesday 28 April 6pm

Francesca Lewis's Pure Imagination Quintet

Francesca Lewis's Pure Imagination is a sophisticated highly entertaining jazz ensemble made up of some of London's finest musicians. They have a mixed repertoire of Jazz and blues standards with a few added extras such as their swinging rendition of 'World of Pure Imagination' from Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory.

:: Francesca Lewis - Voice
:: Huw White - Piano
:: Billy Adamson - Guitar
:: Calum Gourlay - Bass
:: Josh Blackmore - Drums

The Café at Foyles

Watch this space for details of our Winter/Spring line-up, coming soon.

Watch this space for details of our Winter/Spring line-up, coming soon.

Saturday 20 March 3pm

Patti Smith Signing - Just Kids

In a rare and exclusive signing, legendary writer, artist and performer Patti Smith will join us at our shop at Royal Festival Hall to sign copies of her book Just Kids, an account of her friendship with Robert Mapplethorpe and their lifelong pursuit of art. No need to reserve, just come early to join the queue, have your book signed, and even hear Patti sing a song or two.

14-18 April

International PEN presents Free the Word!

A Celebration of World Literature
Southbank Centre and other venues

Meet the great writers you know and the great writers you don't know in the third annual International PEN Free the Word Festival. Writers include Richard Ford, Gillian Slovo, Paul Gravett, James Kelman, Rutu Modan, Nawal El Saadawi and many, many more.

Click here for more details and to book.

Literary Suppers with Foyles Bookshop & the St Pancras Grand Restaurant

Following the successful launch last November, Foyles Bookshop and the St Pancras Grand continue their literary suppers this spring. With exquisite menus chosen specifically for the occasion, distinguished literary figures will speak to guests within the relaxed but elegant atmosphere of the restaurant. Come along to dine and discuss in one of London's most treasured buildings.

Watch this space for details of forthcoming Literary Suppers

Kings Place – Words on Mondays Words on Monday is a weekly series of spoken word events at Kings Place providing the opportunity to listen to and debate with leading minds from the spheres of arts, culture and the sciences. On 5 October, Poet in the City celebrates the work of Pablo Neruda. On 19 October, Clive James unveils the fifth volume of his Unreliable Memoirs. The Guardian will also hold a series of debates with leading thinkers and opinion-formers of our time, and on 7 December Andrew Marr tells the story of modern Britain. For further information visit the Kings Place website.

Westfield London

	Storytelling at Foyles Even though half-term is over, we are continuing our storytelling sessions every weekday afternoon at 4.30pm.
	Thursday 18 March 4pm Oliver Jeffers Signing - The Heart and the Bottle Award-winning children's author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers is so rarely in London, we just had to have him come to Foyles Westfield to sign The Heart and the Bottle! No need to reserve, just come early to join your place in the queue to meet one of our all-time favourite authors. Foyles at Westfield