William Nicholson, author of The Wind on Fire fantasy trilogy and the screenplay for Gladiator, helps Brighton's first children's book festival get under way.
The day-long event celebrates and showcases the vibrant children's book talent in Brighton and the South.
The area has long provided inspiration to some important children's authors - including the likes of AA Milne, Rudyard Kipling, Frances Hodgson Burnett and Rosemary Sutcliff.
Inspired by this, the day will include talks by renowned authors, poets and illustrators such as John Agard and Grace Nichols (editors of From Mouth to Mouth: Oral Poems from Around the World), Nicky Singer (Feather Boy), Emily Gravett (Greenaway award-winning Wolves) and John Vernon Lord (The Giant Jam Sandwich).
There will also be a presentation about the southern region and its historical authors by Nick Tucker, the man behind Rough Guide to Children's Books. David Salariya, a publisher at The Salariya Book Company, will talk about the process of creating children's books from initial brainwave to finished work.
As well as talks, there will be a series of workshops to choose from - creative writing with Brendan Cleary, illustration with Salariya illustrator Mark Bergin and poetry writing with Rachel Rooney.
The festival has been organised by literary arts agency The South, Laura Atkins and the University of Brighton, and sponsored by Brighton-based publisher The Salariya Book Company.
- 10am-7pm, tickets £10-£25. Call 01273 571700. For full programme and tickets visit www.thesouth.org.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article