Culture
27 Apr 20

Marian Keyes joins Neil Gaiman, Robert Webb, Liz Nugent & Sir Tim Rice at The Big Book Weekend

Sign-up now for the virtual literary festival, which takes place from May 8-10

Marian Keyes is among the heavy-hitters participating in The Big Book Weekend, a three-day virtual literary festival set up by fellow scribes Kit de Waal and Molly Flatt.
Marian will be "discussing writing, finding and using your voice, and growing into your skin with bestselling author and co-founder of the Women’s Equality Party, Catherine Mayer."
Part of BBC Arts Culture In Quarantine initiative, other highlights include:

Robert Webb, best known for his roles in Mitchell & Webb and Peep Show, discusses his literary work with acclaimed literary journalist Alex Clark.

Bernardine Evaristo, winner of the 2019 Booker Prize, discusses Girl, Woman, Other with Creative Scotland's Mairi Kidd.

Neil Gaiman celebrates 100 years since the birth of legendary fantasy and sci-fi guru Ray Bradbury with the award-winning Bradbury biographer and writer Sam Weller.

Maggie O’Farrell discusses the joy and importance of book festivals with Damian Barr.

Alexander McCall Smith reads a special message to readers and festival organisers to inspire and uplift, written especially for the Big Book Weekend.

Michael Morpurgo talks to Clare Mulley about his bestselling World War II books for children, commemorating the 75th anniversary of VE Day

Luke Jennings talks about what drove him to create his female-centred thriller Killing Eve with crime novelist Sarah Hilary.

Sir Tim Rice discusses his life and career, the inspiration for his award-winning musicals and what it takes to pen some of the best-known lyrics ever written, with Daniel Hahn.

With Gary Donnelly, Maggie O'Farrell, Liz Nugent, Paul Muldoon, Lucy Caldwell and Glenn Patterson also on the bill, there's no shortage of Irish involvement.