London author Irenosen Okojie has been flat out in recent weeks following the release of her second book, but she took time out of a hectic schedule to tell getwestlondon why she is excited about Hillingdon Literary Festival in October.
This year is the second time the festival has ever been held, which aims to promote local writing talent and also bring exciting authors to the borough.
'I was very impressed'
Irenosen will be one of the many published authors speaking at the festival, which will be held at Brunel University , where she will be discussing her new collection of short stories, Speak Gigantular.
She told getwestlondon : “I heard about it through [my publishers] Jacaranda. I thought it sounded great.
“It's great to have London festivals and I was really impressed with the list of people.”
'I'd like to see Ken Livingstone'
Festival organisers officially launched the festival at a VIP event in Waterstones Uxbridge earlier this month.
The east London resident's debut novel, Butterfly Fish, was published last year and Irenosen has also written for The Guardian and Observer newspapers.
When asked which events she was most looking forward to, Irenosen said: “I'd like to see Courttia Newland and maybe Ken Livingstone.”
The former Mayor of London will be discussing shifts in political rhetoric at the free festival next month.
Hillingdon Literary Festival is will have a range of workshops, talks and events from Friday to Sunday (October 7 to 9) at the university in Uxbridge.
