Category Archives: Everyone

Very sad to hear of the death of James Herbert (69), author of 23 bestselling novels including The Rats, The Secret & The Secret of Crickley Hall (adapted for tv & broadcast last December on BBC1). His novels sold over 54 million copies worldwide & were translated into 30 languages. He was awarded an OBE in 2010. The same year he was made Grand Master of Horror by the World Horror Convention.

Today at the Southbank Centre 1.00 pm to 6.00 pm

Poetry Society & the Southbank Centre present a star-studded afternoon with readings from some of the most exciting poets & spoken word artists in the UK – Roger McGough, Grace Nichols, John Cooper Clarke & many more.

The Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall.

The £2,500 PEN/Ackerley Prize has been awarded to Duncan Fallowell for How to Disappear published by Ditto Press. He fought off competition from an exceptionally strong and diverse shortlist that included Sherard Cowper-Coles, Brian Sewell, Roger Garfitt and Mirabel Osler. This is Britain’s only literary prize dedicated to memoir and autobiography – established in memory of JR Ackerley, the author and literary editor.

Peter Parker, chair of the judges said: ‘Duncan Fallowell’s How to Disappear is a subtle, beautifully written and often very funny example of autobiography by stealth. The fact that this book, having been turned down by numerous major publishers, was taken up by a small independent company is particularly heartening in the current climate.’