The Women’s Prize for Fiction is hosting an online festival

The Women’s Prize for Fiction is the most prestigious literary prize for female authors in the UK. And this year, it’s going digital – giving you a front-row seat to a host of exciting book events, and the announcement of this year’s winner.

Whether you prefer to read your favourite books on the best eReaders or enclosed in an perhaps now old-fashioned paperback, this annual event gives a great steer on what is going to be worth investing in.

For the first time in its 25-year history, the Women’s Prize for Fiction is heading online – hosting a digital festival to celebrate this year’s shortlisted books, and announce the winner of the prestigious £30,000 prize.

MORE: These are the bestselling books about racism you can read right now

The online festival will take place over the course of three nights, with a host of famous faces reading from this year’s shortlist, alongside author talks and interviews. Audiences will also get to put any burning questions they have to their favourite authors in the festival’s live Q&A sessions.

So whether you’re a lone-reader, or member of a (socially-distanced) book club, here’s how to book your front-row seat to the Women’s Prize for Fiction’s three-day festival.

Who will be making appearance at The Women’s Prize for Fiction festival?

Acclaimed actors including Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall and Shameless’ Anne-Marie Duff will read from this year’s shortlist, bringing the books to life. Ben Miles, who played RAF officer Peter Townsend in The Crown, will also deliver a reading; alongside Coral Peña (star of 24: Legacy) and Game of Thrones actor Indira Varma.

The famous names will be appearing alongside this year’s shortlisted authors, including Hilary Mantel, Maggie O’Farrell, Jenny Offill, Natalie Haynes, Angie Cruz and Booker Prize-winner Bernadine Evaristo.

When will the festival take place?

The festival will take place on the evenings of the 6th, 7th and 8th September, beginning at 7pm. Alongside insightful interviews with the shortlisted authors, the festival will feature exclusive tours of their homes or workspaces (giving you some serious interiors inspiration for your home office) as well as giving audiences a fascinating insight into the authors’ writing process.

MORE: The Duchess of Cornwall reveals what’s on her summer reading list

The festival’s full schedule is as follows:

6th September 2020, 7pm: Shortlist readings and Q&A with Hilary Mantel, author of The Mirror and the Light, and Angie Cruz, author of Dominicana, chaired by Kate Mosse, featuring performances from actors Ben Miles and Coral Peña
7th September 2020, 7pm: Shortlist readings and Q&A with Maggie O’ Farrell, author of Hamnet, and Natalie Haynes, author of A Thousand Ships, chaired by Kate Mosse, featuring performances from Anne-Marie Duff and Indira Varma
8th September 2020, 7pm: Shortlist readings with Bernardine Evaristo, author of Girl, Woman, Other, and Jenny Offill, author of Weather, chaired by Kate Mosse, featuring performances from Kim Cattrall and another actor to be revealed
9th September 2020, 7pm: Chair of Judges Martha Lane Fox announces live the 25th winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction, followed by a live Q&A with the winning author

How do I book tickets for The Women’s Prize for Fiction festival?

The good news is that book-lovers will only have to purchase one ticket for full access to all of the festival’s events. (It will also give you the chance to put the question you’ve always wanted to ask to your favourite author during the live Q&A sessions.) Tickets can be purchased here, and at only £10, they’re practically a bargain.