Literary events – book signings and readings

CheapThe Shakespeare Trail

The City, The City, London 51.513086 51.513086

4th, 11th, 18th and 25th September 2010The Shakespeare Trail is an exciting two hour romp around the City of London during which you will explore the lives of Shakespeare and Elizabethan Londoners. The registered City of London Guide will introduce you to his local friendships and give you a feel for the layout of Elizabethan London.

Tags: The City Literary History Walk

PickTony Blair, signing “A Journey”

Waterstone’s, 203–206 Piccadilly, London 51.508883 51.508883

8th September 2010The former Prime Minister Tony Blair will be signing copies of his new book “A Journey” at Waterstones.

Tags: Tony Blair Waterstone’s Literary Politics Shops/Markets

PickStephen Fry — Fry Live!

Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, Southbank, London 51.505733 51.505733

13th September 2010Thirteen years ago Stephen Fry’s autobiography – “Moab Is My Washpot” – was published to rave reviews and became a bestseller. This event marks the publication of the hugely anticipated second volume and promises to give audiences an exclusive preview of his frank and courageous new book.

Tags: Stephen Fry Royal Festival Hall Literary

Seamus Heaney, reading from “Human Chain”

Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, Southbank, London 51.506556 51.506556

14th September 2010Poet Seamus Heaney will be reading from his new collection, “Human Chain”, as well as taking us on a journey through his great poems of the past. “Human Chain” connects the present and the past through a variety of lyrical forms and the history of poetry itself.

Tags: Seamus Heaney Queen Elizabeth Hall Literary Talk/Lecture

John le Carre book signing, at Waterstones

Waterstone’s, 203–206 Piccadilly, London 51.508883 51.508883

16th September 2010Join the bestselling author John le Carre at Waterstones, where he will be signing copies of his new novel “Our Kind of Traitor” and the new edition of “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold”.

Tags: John Le Carre Waterstone’s Literary Shops/Markets

FreeWill Self: “Walking To Hollywood”

Foyles, 113–119 Charing Cross Road, London 51.514668 51.514668

16th September 2010Will Self is one of the most thought-provoking writers and raconteurs around. “Walking to Hollywood” weaves together fact, fancy, memoir and invention as he delves deep into his own psychosis, memory loss and OCD.

Tags: Will Self Foyles Literary Talk/Lecture Shops/Markets

Sir Richard Dannatt — “Leading from the front”

National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London 51.486004 51.486004

16th September 2010Former Chief of General Staff Sir Richard Dannatt will be discussing his remarkable career in the British Army from his formative experiences in Northern Ireland to his service in the Balkans and Afghanistan. The talk will tie in with the publication of his autobiography “Leading from the Front”.

Tags: Richard Dannatt National Army Museum Literary Talk/Lecture War/Military

Barry Humphries at Victoria & Albert Museum

PickCheapBarry Humphries: “Handling Edna”

Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London 51.496819 51.496819

21st September 2010Barry Humphries, the Aussie comic behind Dame Edna Everage, will be talking about his most famous creation in “Handling Edna, The Unauthorised Biography”. Take a behind-the-scenes, no-holds-barred look at the most glittering superstar icon of our times as he reveals the details of Dame Edna’s roller-coaster life.

Tags: Barry Humphries Victoria & Albert Museum Comedy Literary Talk/Lecture

PickCheapCarl Barat, from The Libertines

Waterstone’s, 203–206 Piccadilly, London 51.508883 51.508883

29th September 2010Alongside Pete Doherty, Carl Barat was once a leading member of The Libertines. Join him at Waterstones as he performs a short acoustic short and discusses his new book “Threepenny Memoir”.

Tags: Carl Barat Waterstone’s Concerts Literary Shops/Markets

CheapGuided walk: “Publish and be damned!”

Fleet Street, Fleet Street, London 51.514157 51.514157

29th September 2010Take a stroll through 500 years of London’s printing, publishing and bookselling history. Starting from St Paul’s, once the centre of Britain’s publishing industry, the tour passes along Fleet Street, where the country’s newspapers were churned out in their millions.

Tags: Fleet Street Literary History Walk