London Book Fair 2024 – Day 1 Round Up

The largest Spring gathering of the international publishing industry assembled at Olympia today, as The London Book Fair kicked off its first day. Thousands of exhibitors and visitors from the UK and around the world gathered to do business, share expertise, network, and attend sessions covering topics including platforming marginalised voices, sustainability, tips for writers, social media, and new global trends.

Gareth Rapley, Director of The London Book Fair,said: “What an amazing opening day of LBF! It’s been brilliant seeing global publishing all under one roof and the excitement in the room has been so great to see. the buzz has been incredible. From our International Author of the Day, Taylor Jenkins Reid, to the Selfie Awards and incredible talks from authors including Gavin Esler, Lemn Sissay, Kit de Waal, and Joe Haddow, it’s been an incredible first day. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back across the next two days.”

Clockwise from Top Left to Bottom Right: Gavin Esler, Lemn Sissay, Kit de Waal and Joe Haddow on Author HQ, A busy Olympia for The London Book Fair 2024, Taylor Jenkins Reid, International Author of the Day, Jonathan Karp of Simon and Schuster in conversation with Porter Anderson

Highlights from Day One of the Fair:

There was a Welcome Address from BBC and Sky Arts journalist Geeta Pendse which was followed by Esther Fung, Social Media and Marketing Coordinator at Pangobook, and Lea Crumpton, Content Creator and Bookseller, discussing the growing influence of BookTok and Bookstagram, and how these spaces are revolutionising reading habits.

Jonathan Karp, President and Chief Executive Officer at Simon & Schuster, and Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief at Publishing Perspectives, held the opening keynote address, which explores S&S’s outlook on the evolving world of content and the innovative directions they envision for the future.

Jasmine Richards, Founder of Storymix, Vicky Palmer, Creative and Marketing Director, Hodder & Stoughton, Ken Wilson-Max, Publisher at Kumusha Books and HarperCollins Children’s Books, and Hannah McMillian, Director at Midas, delved into their expert advice on how to prepare for the publication of your next book, with

Lisa Sharkey, Senior Vice President Executive Director of Creative Development at HarperCollins Publishers, Ain Chiara Bensenouci, Publishing Consultant, Jojo Schlattner, Senior Social Media Manager and Ashley Baugh, Associate Director at Midas, shared how authors can use social media to boost their brand and promote their books.

International Author of the Day, Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times and Sunday Times Bestselling author of Mailbu Rising and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, joined Leonel Teti, Editorial Director at Urano World on the Main Stage to discuss her career and inspiration behind the strong women featured in her popular quartet. Guests at The Fair were excited to hear that Reid’s new project will involve “a good love story.”

Jaclyn Swope, Senior Account Manager at Nielsen BookData, provided an insightful talk of the local and global factors driving varied book markets in 2023, through the combined data of Nielsen BookScan and GfK. The talk revealed that there were over 1bn book purchases in 2023, the top three countries for book sales were France (325m), UK (199m), and Italy (105m)t, and Colleen Hoover remains on all top five bestseller lists across EU and outside.

During the How I Write panel, authors Gavin Esler, Lemn Sissay, Kit de Waal, and Joe Haddow, shared a glimpse into their writing life, and offered insight into how they wrote their best-known books and poetry, find creative inspiration in the everyday, value feedback from the people around them, and how important it is to uphold the human voice in all writing.

Alexander Buchler, Director at Literature Across Frontiers, Dr Richard Davies, Publishing Director at Parthian, Bianca Bellova, Author, and Shelia O’Reilly, Board Member at European & International Booksellers Federation celebrated the European Union Prize for Literature and its evolution and impact on translation across European literacy scenes over the year.

Sir Chris BryantShadow Creative Industries and Digital Minister visited The Fair, adding: “It was a pleasure to visit The London Book Fair and to see the UK’s publishing industry in action. The sector is a huge driver of economic growth in the UK and we are proudly the largest exporter of books in the world. We need to address publishers’ concerns so the industry can thrive and continue to contribute to the wider success of the UK’s Creative Industries.”

The 2024 BookBrunch Selfie Awards winners were also announced with Julia Boggio, taking home Best Adult Fiction for Shooters, Jill Michelle Smith and Jennifer Watson taking Best Children’s Book for Extraordinary Extinct Prehistoric Minibeasts: A First Guide to Fossils, and J F Penn winning Best Memoir/Autobiography for Pilgrimage: Lessons Learned from Solo Walking.

Under Her Roof by A. A. Chaudhuri Book Review

The Final Party by A. A. Chaudhuri was one of my books of the year when it was released last year. Fantastic writing and a brilliant plot made her one of my new favourite writers. When Under Her Roof dropped through my letterbox I was excited. Taking a very real issue (housing) and making a twisty stalker thriller that grips from the first page. It’s perfect for fans of dark thrillers. If you liked You you will love this. I didn’t see the ending happening. The novel is gripping and dark. Under Her Roof is a fantastic thriller that is tense and keeps you guessing all of the way to the end. I was fully immersed from the first page and the book has stayed with me. A. A. Chaudhuri has made her name as one of the best thriller writers today. Brilliant.

It seems too good to be true…

When struggling writer Sebastian finds a room to let in a palatial Hampstead residence he cannot believe his luck. The rent is ridiculously cheap and he immediately feels a connection with his beautiful widowed landlady, Adriana.

It is.

Things take a dark turn when he finds out what happened to the last lodger. Could this be why the house is a fortress of security, and why Adriana seems so fragile? Adriana doesn’t want to talk about the death and sadness that seem to follow her wherever she goes and Sebastian has secrets of his own.

Now someone is watching their every move and there is nowhere to hide.

This house of light becomes a dark nightmare as the threat ramps up – what does the watcher want? And how far will they go to get it?

A gripping, twisty thriller perfect for fans of B.A. Paris, Shari Lapena and Lucy Foley. If you were hooked by Netflix series You or The Watcher then you will love this. Out June 13th.

Under Her Roof is available to preorder here.

London Zoo at Southwark Playhouse Borough, London reviewed by Frost Magazine’s Drama Critic Paul Vates

There is a plot twist that made the audience sit up and pay attention”

Set at the turn of the Millennium, London Zoo is about the prejudices that exist in the workplace – focussing here in the press and newspaper world, covering editorial and company acquisition. If that sounds a little boring – it is! It’s about the figures and the manipulation of those figures to impress the board, who’s in and who’s out, who’s being fired and who is doing the firing… blah blah blah.

[Anirban Roy, Dan Saski, Simon Furness, Harris Vaughan and Natalie Lauren]

What life there is springs up when characters suddenly outrage us with their views of the world. Sexism and racism keep raising their ugly heads. There’s bullying and entitlement, too, thrown in for good measure. It’s all here on show for us to dislike.

[Simon Furness and Harris Vaughan]

Farine Clarke has written and directed a play that somehow feels a little dated. Unsure within itself whether to portray the unlikeable characters as grotesques in a dated world and go for laughs, or to play for the reality of it all which runs the risk of tedium – do we care enough about any of these people? It’s a fine line to tread and I’m not sure she knows but as it is London Zoo can’t be both.

[Odimegwu Okoye]

There is a plot twist that made the audience sit up and pay attention. Everyone left the theatre buzzing, which is an amazing feat for any production to achieve. There is a lot to talk about from London Zoo, but I’m not quite sure it’s what Farine Clarke wanted or expected…

Photography Lidia Crisafulli

Writer/Director Farine Clarke

Special Advisor Linda Marlowe

Designer Rebecca Pitt Designs

Running Time 90 minutes – which includes a 15-minute interval

Age Restrictions 12+

Dates until Saturday 30th March 2024. Check with the theatre for show times

Venue Southwark Playhouse Borough, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London

SE1 6BD

Box Office https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/london-zoo

Instagram @unequalproductions @swkplay

Facebook @UnEqualProductionsLtd @SouthwarkPlayhouse

Twitter @UnequalProduct1 @swkplay

A Day in the life of Margaret and Dick as they end up in their market town of Thirsk at their favourite place, The Golden Fleece after which the Mars Maltesers drink saved the day. https://www.mars.com/

Yesterday could have been a dreadful day. Margaret and Dick walked their two girls, Rosie the Cockerpoo and Polly the Cavachon and then Margaret took a neighbour’s lovely Cockerpoo for a walk, then there was a dash here, a dash there. Finally, perfection, into town they went with Dick driving, Margaret on the back seat with Rosie and Polly. Well, Margaret knows her place.

‘Has Dada seen that car is stopping, Mama?’

‘I will save us,’ said Mama. ‘Stoppp! Brakes lights ahead.’

‘I saw, ‘ said Dada in that strange voice that sounds as though someone is strangling him. ‘That’s why I have a foot on the brake, gently, coasting towards the car with the red lights on.’

Goodness, Margaret thought. Dick is talking a lot this morning. The girls thought he was too. ‘Why are his knuckles often white in the car, Mama, when we are helping him?’

Margaret didn’t know and couldn’t understand it.

They walked into town from the carpark near the church. Dick waited outside a charity shop because Margaret wanted to buy a £2.00 DVD of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel which she hadn’t seen for ages, and wanted to. She found one, and was very very pleased. Then they walked along a bit and into The Golden Fleece on the Market Place. It was very busy. Someone was at Table 23. Oh dear. Someone else was in the Writing Room at Margaret and Dick’s second best table, the one which also had comfy armchairs. Well, they all do, but these are the best.

Finally they were in the bar, and there was their third best table – free. They sat. Dick ordered coffees. Margaret gave the girls treats.

The lovely bloke brought the coffees. Ooh, a lovely lot of chocolate sprinkles on Margaret’s cappuccino. Then she looked, stared, searched, but no, there were no Maltesers. How could that be, for everyone who had coffee in The Golden Fleece had three Maltersers in a spirit glass? Had Dick chomped them all quick as a flash and then hidden the little spirit glasses?

Dick was shocked too, though, so Margaret called to the lovely bloke who was behind the bar, making more coffees.

‘Did you forget our Maltesers, lovely young bloke?’ She didn’t call him that aloud, she is fibbing)

‘No,’ the lovely bloke said, staying behind the bar, as though he was seeking protection. He is a big young man. He shouldn’t get frightened. But Margaret thought he really was, because he was wiping a cup as though he was going to polish it to nothing.

‘We have none. We have run out.’

Those terrible words one never expects to hear, especially in The Golden Fleece, the most perfect of hotels. None? No Maltesers? ‘Tomorrow,’ he said. ‘Would you like a digestive?’

Margaret pondered, because now she realised why there were more chocolate sprinkles than usual. She accepted the digestive. It was kind of the lovely bloke, but frankly, it was not three Maltesers – well, four, because Dick always gave Margaret one of his.

It was a nice coffee though. This lovely bloke makes almost the best Margaret has had but it’s not the same as… Dick told Margaret she was becoming obsessed.

The drive home was quiet. Margaret and the girls couldn’t even raise the will to remind Dick of the roundabouts. But as they drove down their road, Margaret remembered the amazing hot Maltesers drink she had bought herself for Mother’s Day. Oh yes, that would save the day because it is truly truly delicious. She knows because she had bought herself a jar the week before.

Into the pantry she looked. And again, because the Maltesers drink was not there, not anywhere. Margaret told Dick. Dick said, ‘I hid it, for your own good. I thought you might drink much too much of it because you love anything Malteser much too much, and then the girls and I would have to lie and say you were no fatter than you are now.’

‘Fatter. Fatter,’ shrieked Margaret. ‘Are you mad? I am not fat. Or am I? Really. Oh, am I fat?’ Margaret understands Dick. It does not take much to break him.

The Maltesers drink was ready in no time at all. It is not quite the same as the Maltesers that everyone in Thirsk looks forward to in The Golden Fleece, you know, the little choccy brown thingies that you put in the mouth, suck the chocolate off, and then crunch the honeycomb – but it was very nice. Tomorrow she will see if the Maltesers have been delivered. She is hopeful because Margaret is an optimist and a sweet natured, kindly, positive soul, or so she tells herself, one who lifts the world for those around her. Dick does not tell the flagpole about Margaret being sweet natured, kindly, positive. He certainly does not tell it that she lifts the world for those around her, but that’s quite another matter and one Margaret will address another day.

https://www.mars.com/

Columbia Community Association’s coffee morning was the usual blast and oh, how Frost Magazine enjoyed it.

Frost Magazine’s editor, Margaret Graham popped in with Dick for a catch-up with the CCA last Friday, and guess what, we were in time for the raffle, and Bingo. Not to mention a piece of Birthday cake. Just look at Linda spoiling Red Shoes Bob with a surprise birthday cake. A modest number of candles had to be blown out, and there were quite enough slices for us all to enjoy. Then it was onto the Bingo which was huge fun. We all had to stand, Bob told us a word. As your number was called, you yelled (and I mean yelled) the word and sat down. The last one standing won a prize. Then there was another round, another word… another prize… And always so much laughter and chat…

We had all bought raffle tickets, and the lucky winner was presented with a basket of goodies. How the time flew, but Margaret managed to catch up with wonderful Marion and Bob, who steer the ship. They filled her in on just a few of the CCA activities.

Everyone loves the Quiz night held every couple of months.(above) This involves a wheel, 14 prizes and if your number is called, you get to spin the wheel for another number. Honestly, the fun these wonderful people have is splendid.

Do you like music? Well, how about the Guitar group for senior citizens on Wednesday evenings 7 – 8. Here at Frost Magazine we long to hear they have written a rock number which has topped the charts. You can be sure there’d be another party with a massive cake. Margaret feels that the ladies should be considering producing a WI type calendar in good time for Christmas, complete with carefully placed fruit of course. The heating would have to be on high. Should she mention this? She will mull. And no, there will be no suggestion that Margaret should be involved, as, she, after all, is not actually a resident of Brady Square, so very there.

Yoga classes are held weekly, with the ‘armchair’ session in the morning and the more energetic session from 2-3 in the afternoon.

Aimee’s dancers are going from strength to strength with classes during the week from 4 – 6.30 and such is the size of Aimee’s following that there is also a larger class at a larger venue on a Saturday.

Of course, there are the war gamers, and the sitting room just for chilling… Heavens, Frost Magazine could go on and on for there is a cornucopia of sessions to choose from at the wonderfully renovated Columbia Community Centre. None of which would be happening without the efforts of Marion, Bob and all their wonderful friends. How proud Frost Magazine is to be associated with them, and it’s just so wonderful for Margaret Graham to be able to whizz up the road to Washington from Thirsk, and in particular Brady Square, where her mum was born, and grew up, and where Margaret often stayed during the summer holidays, in her Uncle Stan’s off licence, which had been his and Margaret’s Mum’s father’s, (Percy) called the Long Pole, or the Long Pull – recollections vary!

On the subject of recollections. Marion is hoping that people will get their memory hats on and jot down any memories they have of Brady Square, and memories they remember their parents’ talking about. So do just jot them down, let Marion have them, and they will all be kept at the CCA for anyone to read, and enjoy.

One morning Margaret will come to the CCA and make notes, and record anything that people remember over a coffee – oooh, yes, and cake please. Date to be advised.

Simply can’t wait to see you all again.

For more information: Columbia Community Association   Memories of Brady Square Columbia uk Community Forum

Music Profiles: Bad Habits – Hotel Hell | Great New Music

We love bringing music to people’s attention that they might not have come across. Bad Habits have a wonderful gritty punk-rock feeling and I’m a huge fan. Bad Habits consist of a husband and wife, alongside their son. Their new album, Hotel Hell is out now. Here is the band in the own words:

“Music saved my life but it was also my cover and nearly took it.” – Bad Habits’ Martin Red Butane. He writes dreamlike songs often with a nightmare reference. Creating landscapes and images with his lazy vocals and guitars. You are drawn into his stories and you really feel you are in the plot of the characters, you can touch danger but escape. Accompanied by his family on occasion (3 piece/duo/solo) his wife Glo Butane produces, engineers and plays bass/guitar/keyboards and their son Dakota Red is on cajon/drums. A family of music under his owned trademarked brand Bad Habits (since first used in the 70s). Martin Red was medically retired from his undercover job with PTSD, now with health conditions and injuries from his past life; So he has to sit/use support to perform. However it was not always like this, ” Back in ’78 I was going to give it up while playing a blues jam at the Onslow pub, Southampton when a grubby man came up and asked to jam.” he continues, “he asked if we knew Black Magic Woman? We started to play and it was @Peter Green. After I asked him where he lived he said Salisbury. I asked him how he got here? He said he walked so I took him home to his sister’s house; Pete told me, “Play music for yourself and if other people like it its a bonus.” since 12 yo music was always my centre but life took me to a very different world where I could not be in the limelight. Finally I am free and making music to help my mental health and hopefully other’s as well” 

This is a very organic process. I play live and drive my wife the producer/engineer up the wall as I see every song as a story that I have to emote immediately. We don’t overdub except on the electric guitar parts. I play and sing completely live. My wife uses 3 microphones on me because I can’t double myself every take is different as every gig I play will also be; first one 20 July at Bush Hall, London W12  more dates to follow in support of Mens Health Charities as I’m a disabled musician. 

https://www.facebook.com/BadHabitsMusic

ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/album/id/1725930821

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/0jXS9zNxMviC7f3echmd4t 

Deezer https://www.deezer.com/album/535391092

 Ecoegg x SpongeBob: Operation Sea Change! Make Your Laundry More Sustainable

I love the Ecoegg. I am always trying to cut down on plastic and be more sustainable. This laundry egg has a guarantee of ten years. All you do is replace the pellets. The new Ecoegg x SpongeBob: Operation Sea Change! smells amazing and is a gorgeous yellow colour.

Dive into a tidal wave of excitement as Ecoegg, the sustainable laundry brand, announces their partnership with Paramount and Nickelodeon for SpongeBob SquarePants: SpongeBob SquarePants: Operation Sea Change!

With a staggering 11 million tonnes of ocean plastic harming marine life each year, this collaboration, launching on 2 January 2024, reflects an alliance of values and a shared mission to help reduce the amount of single use plastic making its way into the oceans.  Inspired by none other than SpongeBob SquarePants, the beloved undersea character. 

To kickstart the collaboration, Ecoegg will be releasing two new products to celebrate SpongeBob SquarePants: Operation Sea Change.

Ecoegg SpongeBob Laundry Egg and Refill Packs: This Tropical Burst fragranced Laundry Egg transports you into a paradise of sweet pineapple tones. There are two versions of the Laundry Egg: the new bio (which includes plant-based enzymes) and the non-bio. Then ‘Sensitive’ and ‘Universal’ formats will be delivered for outside of the UK. The Refill Pellets will encourage consumers to take a stance against single use plastic detergent bottles and embrace the art of reusing. The entire range of ecoegg Laundry Egg’s come with a 10 year guarantee and armoured with a durable eggcase.

Ecoegg Dryer Eggs – Gary and Mary SpongeBob’s pals: The ultimate sidekick to your Laundry Egg, the energy and money saving SpongeBob Dryer Eggs. These help to separate your laundry so that more air can circulate, proven to dry each item up to 28% more quickly. The patented nodules on the eggs are designed to help soften your clothes naturally, providing an additional softener on top of the Laundry Egg’s 2 in 1 formula. 

Ecoegg’s Plastic Saving Mission parnering with SpongeBob:

This partnership is particularly exciting for Ecoegg, as the mission of SpongeBob SquarePants: Operation Sea Change aligns perfectly with Ecoegg’s environmental mission whilst also connecting us with broad audience and other supportive brands. “Educating the next generation on the importance of protecting our oceans is not just a mission; it’s our shared commitment to creating a sustainable future.” says Dawn White, Founder of Ecoegg.

So, mark your calendars, set your alarms, and get ready to make a splash in the laundry room with Ecoegg and SpongeBob SquarePants: Operation Sea Change. Helping make laundry a fun and inspiring journey for the whole family. 

The recommended retail price for the SpongeBob Ecoegg Laundry Egg and Dryer Egg is £10, with a recommended retail price for refills of £6 and the products will be available on Ecoegg’s website (Ecoegg.com) and Amazon.co.uk.

Mark McCrum is really cooking, as they say, with Murder on Tour.

Twenty books and counting, and this is, arguably, the best so far. Yes, it even tops, in my opinion, the Number One bestseller Somebody Someday with Robbie Williams which was a huge success. After all, there aren’t many authors who can claim that their debut crime novel was longlisted for the Independent on Sunday’s 2014 Alternative Booker prize and also selected as the Mail on Sunday’s Thriller of the Week, I particularly love this quote from Mail on Sunday Thriller of the Week ‘A marvellous set of unsavoury suspects… good, nasty fun with a ring of truth.’

Well, how about this from Frost Magazine for Murder on Tour ‘Worthy coach tours pale into insignificance when compared with a rock star’s crazy sex, drugs, rock n roll tour, liberally sprinkled with a good dose of suspicious deaths. Fun it certainly is, page turning too. Come on, live a little…’

Wanna hear more (well, one does get influenced by these crazy musicians).

Crime Writer, Francis Meadowes, has been offered his first paid detective gig, and goes on the road with a gender-fluid rock star, Jonni K, tagging along as the musician’s entourage travels from Copenhagen to Berlin and on round Europe. What could possibly go wrong?

Jonni’s manager is already troubled by a fatal overdose on a tour bus, but then the star is attacked on stage. Then, guess what, the lead guitarist is electrocuted by his own instrument.

It is when another band-member drowns in a hotel bath Francis realises he must earn his money and find out what exactly is going on. Well, yes… I should say so. Does he do his job?

Oh come on… You know me better than that. Read, enjoy, worry, snigger, and see if you can guess who dun it. You’ll love it.

Murder on Tour by Mark McCrum pub Bloodhound Books 9.99 and ebook.