Authors of the Day Line-up for London Book Fair 2025 Named
The London Book Fair (LBF) has revealed the Authors of the Day line-up for the 2025 Fair, featuring best-selling novelist and chair of judges for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2024 Monica Ali as Adult Author of the Day; Argentine novelist and screenwriter Claudia Piñeiro, who was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize, as International Author of the Day; the current Waterstones Children’s Laureate (2024-2026) Frank Cottrell-Boyce as Children’s Author of the Day; and comics artist and British Book Awards winner Jamie Smart as the first ever Creative of the Fair.
LBF Director Adam Ridgway says, “We are delighted to reveal our first author line-up for LBF25, which is set to be an incredible showcase of UK and global publishing, as well as the first major international book industry event in 2025. From an International Booker shortlistee to the Waterstones Children’s Laureate, and from Sunday Times best-selling authors to the first ever Creative of the Fair, we couldn’t be prouder to bring such an array of talent to our 2025 Fair. We are really looking forward to welcoming Claudia, Monica, Frank, and Jamie to Olympia next year, and we can’t wait to hear their insights at their in-conversation events.”
Claudia Piñeiro, famous for her bestselling crime novels, says, “I am very honoured and excited to be able to take part in the 2025 London Book Fair and especially to have been invited as an International Author of the Day. I am very aware of the significance of The London Book Fair and of the magnitude of the events that take place. The London Book Fair’s international focus is extremely important. For me, receiving feedback from readers globally teaches me a great deal, as it shows how my stories are read and interpreted in different societies. This, for me, is extremely enriching.”
Bestselling author Monica Ali, whose works have been translated into 26 languages, is absolutely thrilled to be appointed Adult Author of the Day and can’t wait to return to LBF after a very long absence. “I think the last time I was there was back in 2006, so I’m curious to find out how it’s changed since then. What I do know is that there’s no better place to connect with publishers from around the globe, and to meet writers and readers. I’m excited to be part of an event that celebrates talent and creativity and highlights the importance of books in our cultural landscape.”
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, an award-winning children’s author and screenwriter, comments, “I’m delighted to be the Children’s Author of the Day at The London Book Fair 2025, which is gearing up to be another vibrant celebration of international publishing. Writing and reading has transformed my life, and I have written children’s books for more than twenty years because I think they help build the apparatus of happiness inside us. In my role as the current Waterstones Children’s Laureate, I’ve launched the ‘Reading Rights’ campaign in partnership with BookTrust, calling for national provision so that every child – from their earliest years – has access to books, reading and the transformative ways in which they improve long-term life chances. I’m looking forward to joining the LBF audience in London next year to cherish what reading together means, and what – as an industry – we can bring to families.”
Illustrator Jamie Smart, says, “I’m thrilled to be the first ever Creative of the Fair at LBF25, what an honour! It’s my first ever London Book Fair, so I’m really excited to throw myself into it, meet everyone, and share everything I can about comics and comic-making with anyone who’d like to listen!”
The Authors of the Day and Creative of the Fair will take part in ‘In Conversation’ events on different days throughout The London Book Fair. Claudia Piñeiro will be attending the fair on 11 March, Monica Ali and Jamie Smart will appear at events on 12 March, and Frank Cottrell-Boyce will be speaking on 13 March.
The London Book Fair (LBF) is the world’s largest spring book trade and publishing event and will return to its home at Olympia London from 11-13 March, 2025.
