The countdown to the launch of the 2016 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature continues with organisers disclosing another 12 authors’ names for next year’s literary extravaganza, to be held from 1-12 March, 2016. Back by popular demand are TV book club founders and authors Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, as well as acclaimed historian Anthony Beevor, who will be joined by newcomers Lulwah Al Mansouri, Lucy Hawking and Jonathan Meres. The authors are the final set to be named before the complete line-up is announced at the official launch in October.

‘The anticipation for our 2016 Festival has been growing throughout the summer with each release, giving a flavour of what is in store for next March,’ said Isobel Abulhoul, CEO and Trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation and Festival Director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. ‘2016 will be a vintage year featuring some of the most beloved and well known writers from the four corners of the globe. The full line-up will be announced during our official launch next month along with details on new events and exciting sessions.’

Festival organisers last month announced the decision to extend the Festival over two weeks in March. The aim is to continue to appeal to a wider demographic, with the majority of the first 48 released authors shared so far catering to varied audiences and diverse age groups.

Richard and Judy are popular British television presenters turned bestselling authors, and made quite a splash at the Festival when they attended for the first time in 2014. Both have new novels releasing soon to excite readers. Also returning next year, is the National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke, who was at the inaugural Festival in 2009.

The children’s programme will be a lively celebration this year with Bob the Builder creator Curtis Jobling and actor and author of the World of Norm series, Jonathan Meres, joining the guest list for the first time. Celebrated children’s illustrator and author of Charlie and Lola, Lauren Child, will be returning after a 5-year hiatus from the Festival with a brand new adventure titled The New Small Person. Lucy Hawking, daughter of renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, and creator of the George Greenby series is all set to introduce young minds to the wonders of science.

Distinguished historian Antony Beevor will return to the Festival to regale audiences with stories of the past, while historical novelist Kate Lord Brown will be sharing her thoughts on her latest book, The House of Dreams.

Lulwah Al Mansouri is an Emirati novelist, poet and participant in the International Prize for Arabic Fiction Nadwa. She is the author of the award-winning fantasy novel, We Came from the Mountain’s Rib.

Palestinian-American author of Mornings in Jenin and the upcoming The Blue Between Sky and Water, Susan Abulhawa returns next year, while bestselling writer of Reasons to Stay Alive, Matt Haig, will be at the Festival for the first time.

‘This is a year of firsts for our Festival,’ concluded Abulhoul. ‘For the first time we have released author names from June, and this is the first time we will be holding the Festival for more than five days. We always hoped we would grow, but we are stunned by how much the Festival has expanded in such a short time. It is, of course, mainly down to the wonderful authors and speakers who delight the diverse and intelligent audiences who turn up in their thousands. Our incredible sponsors and supporters make the annual festival a reality and help us spread the joy of reading further and further. But there is still more to come. Mark your calendars for October when we will announce the complete list of authors. You don’t want to miss it!’

The official launch of the Festival will be October 20, 2015. For the entire list of authors announced thus far, visit https://www.emirateslitfest.com/authors

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