Shanghai Book Fair

Update: Headline author Joe Dunthorne has had to cancel his appearances at the Shanghai Book Fair

Shanghai’s largest book fair returns for its ninth year with the harmonious theme of ‘I love reading, I love life’. The six-day celebration of literature takes place between Wednesday 15-Tuesday 21 August at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre.

This event typically draws a coterie of A-list international authors. Although one of last year’s ‘highlights’ included an appearance from President Barack Obama's less well-known half brother who was signing autographs and promoting his semi-autobiographical novel Nairobi to Shenzhen.

This year promises appearances from British authors Joe Dunthorne, Booker Prize nominee David Mitchell, Malaysian writer Li Tse-shu and Wu Nian-chen (吴念真) from Taiwan.

Schedule highlights

Wednesday 15 August

Literary forum with four Mao Dun Literature Award winners Wang Anyi, Mo Yan, Liu Zhen, Bi Feiyu,  

2-4.30pm, Third Floor, Shanghai Exhibition Centre

 

Thursday 16 August

CANCELLED: Joe Dunthorne, vs Zhou Jianing Writing through confusion and challenges

10-11.30am, Shanghai Writers' Association Hall

 

Ma Liang Dedicated to the Courage of the Disillusioned Artist book launch and signing from the Shanghainese artist and photographer.

1-2pm, Activity area B, Shanghai Exhibition Centre,

 

CANCELLED: Joe Dunthorne How to Trick Yourself into Writing a Novel. (Seminar in English)

2-3.30pm Room 5304, Third Floor, West Area, Shanghai Library

 

David Mitchell vs Su Tong ‘How to build a fictional house’. (Discussion in English).

3-5pm First Floor, Shanghai Exhibition Hall

 

Nancy Merrill’s Minds of Millionaires: Famous Chinese Entrepreneurs from a Western Perspective  American TV host Nancy Merrill launches her book on China growing numbers of millionaires along with millionaire entrepeneur Yue-Sai Kai, followed by a book signing.

3.30-4.30pm Central activity area, Shanghai Exhibition Hall

 

Friday 17 August

Sa Dingding fan talk and signing from the Mongolian folk artist

1-2.30pm, First Floor, Shanghai Exhibition Hall

 

International author forum British writer David Mitchell , Japanese novelist Adao Tiangao and Taiwan's Wu Nian-Chen join Man Asian Prize winner Su Tong and Red Sorghum Family author Mo Yan and a host of local authors.

2-4.30pm, Shanghai JC Mandarin Hotel Ballroom

 

Chen Danyan Peace Hotel book launch signing

3.30-4.30pm, Central activity area, Shanghai Exhibition Hall

 

Wang Anyi, Chen Cun, Sun Lizhe, Xie Xizhang Authors, editors and readers discuss spirituality in life.
7.15-8.45pm, Central activity area, Shanghai Exhibition Centre

 

Saturday 18 August

CANCELLED: Joe Dunthorne Submarine Book Signing

10.25-11.25am, Central activity area, Shanghai Exhibition Centre

 

David Mitchell Audience discussion and book-signing

12.40-13.40pm, Central activity area, Shanghai Exhibition Centre

 

CANCELLED: British literary Afternoon Tea David Mitchell and Joe Dunthorne moderated by Ye Sha

3pm-5pm, Venue TBC

 

CANCELLED: Joe Dunthorne M Literary Salon moderated by Time Out Shanghai Books editor Charlotte Middlehurst.

5pm-7pm, Glamour

 

Sunday 19 August

'My life as an actor’ Taiwanese actor Li Li-Chun audience discussion and fan signing

3.30-4.30, Activity area two, Shanghai Exhibition Hall

 

Monday 20 August

 

The Photography and Fiction of Robert Capa US author Suzanne Fortes with Gu Zheng, followed by Waiting for Capa book signing by Fortes.

10-11.30am, Activity area three, Shanghai Exhibition Hall

 

Lu Chuan The young City of Life and Death director talks about his ‘wild child movie dream’ ahead of the release of his latest film historical drama The Last Supper.

2.30-3.30pm, Central activity area, Shanghai Exhibition Centre

A full line-up has not been released in English but for a Chinese schedule or more updates follow the Shanghai Book Fair on Weibo at www.weibo.com/shanghaishuzhan