At London Book Fair 2024. Image: LBF
By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson
Prominent Speakers From the Author and Audiobook Corps
Released overnight in the British capital (November 12 into 13), London Book Fair (March 10 to 12) under its new director Emma Lowe has announced a first look at the specially featured authors for the 2026 trade show. In addition, the program is naming a first “Narrator of the Fair,” and naming that personality, as well.Quickly, the lineup is to be led by:
- Author, illustrator and creator of the “Heartstopper” series Alice Oseman, as the “Creative of the Fair”;
- Norwegian international crime writer Jo Nesbo is also on the list;
- Sunday Times novelist Mike Gayle; and
- Author and creator of the “Skandar” series AF Steadman.
- Additionally actor and narrator Ray Porter is to be Narrator of the Fair.
Emma Lowe
In her comment on the overnight provision of this information to Publishing Perspectives, Lowe says, “We are thrilled to unveil our first author lineup for LBF26, which is set to be an incredible showcase of UK and global publishing, as well as the first major international book industry event of 2026.
“And what an incredible array of talent, too. From the mind and hand behind the sensational ‘Heartstopper’ franchise, to the creator of the million-copy selling ‘Skandar’ series, and from the first ever Narrator of the Fair to novelists across the popular genres of crime and romance.
“We simply cannot wait to welcome them all to Olympia next year, and we look forward to the wonderful insights they will share on their sessions.”
Newly named speakers for London Book Fair 2026 are, from left, Mike Gayle (image: Simon Weller); Alice Oseman; Jo Nesbø (image: Jarli & Jordan); AF Steadman; and Ray Porter (image: Gavin Watson)
Activities of the Early-Announced Figures
The authors and narrator of the fair will take part in “in Conversation” events on different days during the trade show, which stands on the calendar as the first of the year its kind in the international book publishing world. London Book Fair is not a public-facing event but an industry-focused center of industry sales and business.
While programming still is in process, of course, and dates and times may not be entirely what they appear to be now at this early remove:
- Alice Oseman is expected to attend the fair on March 10, with a session on the Main Stage from 12 to 12:45 p.m.
- Ray Porter is also to attend on March 1o, speaking on the Tech Stage from 12:45 to 13:45 p.m.
- Jo Nesbø is scheduled to be on the Main Stage on March 11 from 12:30 to 13:15.
- Mike Gayle is to headline a session at Author HQ from 14:05 to 14:50 on the same day.
- AF Steadman is to speak on the Main Stage on March 12, from 12 to 12:45 p.m.
Further details of these and other events are anticipated for announcements in the future.
For those who may have heard that venue alternatives were being considered, London Book Fair now is set to return Olympia London.
Registration is now open at this link, including visitor and media registration. Further details can be anticipated on this page. The full program for The London Book Fair 2026 is expected to be announced early next year.
Our annual coverage of London Book Fair can be found here, and our look at book fairs and trade shows in many parts of the world is here.
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