First-ever Black British Author Book Tour is coming to Liverpool

The Book Tour Will Be Visiting Liverpool on 2^nd September, 2023.

The highly anticipated Black British Book Festival is back, and this year, it introduces its first-ever UK Black British Author Book Tour.

Founded in 2021 by visionary Selina Brown, this festival has evolved into a national sensation, with its main event scheduled to take place at the Southbank Centre in October, expected to draw over 4,000 enthusiastic attendees coming together to celebrate the rich tapestry of Black British authors across all genres.

Dedicated to breaking down barriers for Black British writers and providing a powerful platform for emerging talent, the Black British Book Festival embarks on a groundbreaking initiative. A group of 30 remarkable Black British authors, including luminaries like Joseph Coelho, Derek Owusu, and Jackie Kay, will embark on a transformative summer book tour from August to October. These vibrant literary pop-up events will be held in unconventional spaces, such as chicken shops, hairdressers, sportswear shops, and shopping centers, reaching out to historically underserved communities in the UK. The festival aims to democratize literature, bringing the joy of reading to individuals who may not have had previous opportunities to engage with books.

Building on the resounding success of previous editions, the festival proudly enjoys the support of headline sponsors Pan Macmillan and Audible, alongside esteemed publishers Hachette, Simon Schuster, Penguin, and Sage. Numerous brands and media partners, including The Booker Prize, Bookseller, Pizza Express, National Express, Black Ballad, Hearst Group, Waterstones, and Bookseller, have also joined forces to support this important literary event.

Selina Brown. Credit: Black Book Festival / Black British Author Book Tour

Selina Brown, the visionary founder, expressed her pride and determination, stating, “We believe in fostering diversity and inclusivity, championing emerging talent, and reaching marginalized communities. The incredible support from renowned publishers demonstrates the growing recognition of our mission. We are proud to make a lasting impact on the literary landscape, empowering voices and transforming lives.”

Joanna Prior, CEO of Pan Macmillan, shared her delight in being the headline sponsor, emphasizing, “I am delighted that once again Pan Macmillan is the headline sponsor of the Black British Book Festival. We have established a successful partnership with Selina and the team, and our work is ambitious and collaborative. Pan Macmillan is determined to ensure publishing is an increasingly inclusive industry.”

Tracey Markham, Audible Head of UK and Canada, added, “We are delighted to be one of the headline sponsors of this year’s Black British Book Festival, which celebrates the many incredible Black British authors writing today, as well as helping authors of the future. Audible is committed to supporting underrepresented new talent in publishing.”

The Black British Book Festival continues to pave the way for a more inclusive literary world, challenging traditional norms, and celebrating the richness of Black British literature. With its unwavering commitment to emerging talent and its determination to engage with marginalized communities, the festival stands as a beacon of change and inspiration.

Event Details: The festival event will take place in Liverpool on 2^nd September, 2023 and will be divided into two sections: the children’s event and the adults’ event.

Children’s Event:

Venue: Granby Winter Garden, 37-39 Cairns St, Liverpool L8 2UW
Time: 11:00 am – 1:30 pm
Featuring authors: Natalie Denny And Joseph Coelho

Adults Event:

Venue: The Reader Bar & Restaurant, situated at 103 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool L3 5TB.
Time: 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Featuring authors: Chinny Ukata, Astrid Madimba , and Ashleigh Nugent