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The Women’s Prize for Fiction 2018 at the Baileys Book Bar

The Women’s Prize for Fiction 2018 at the Baileys Book Bar 

Popular Pop-Up Book Bar is back for a five-day celebration of women’s voices and the pleasure of reading

Monday 23– Friday 27 April

Hosted by the novelist & WPFF Founder Director Kate Mosse

  • Following the sell-out success of the 2016 and 2017 Pop-Up’s, the WPFF and Baileys are collaborating for a third year to host the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2018 at the Baileys Book Bar; five days of fantastic events celebrating women’s voices, outstanding fiction by women and the pleasure of reading
  • The programme of events hosted by Kate Mosse - at Waterstones Gower Street in London - will shine a spotlight on the WPFF2018 shortlist with writers and brilliant, creative women including Lily Cole, Jenny Colgan, Juno Dawson, Louise Doughty, Dorothy Koomson, Catherine Mayer, June Sarpong, Kit de Waal and Viv Groskop
  • As well as being a central London destination to relax and celebrate outstanding fiction, the Baileys Book Bar will also double up as an experiential showcase for the Baileys Treat Collective; a team of food and drink experts who will be serving up playful and eccentric Baileys treats for all visitors
  • For tickets and event details, go to www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk

Baileys is thrilled to announce that, following the sell-out success of the 2016 and 2017 Pop-Ups, they are collaborating again with the Women’s Prize for Fiction to create the Baileys Book Bar. For five days in April, the Book Bar will form the backdrop to a series of events dedicated to celebrating the best writing by women and the six novels on the 2018 WPFF shortlist, to be announced on 23 April.

The Baileys Book Bar will this year be based at Waterstones Gower Street, London, where the dedicated basement social space will be transformed into a literary haven, celebrating women’s voices and combining the love of reading with the pleasure of a Baileys.

Novelist and Women’s Prize for Fiction Founder Director, Kate Mosse, said: “The WPFF is all about bringing readers and writers together, about building new audiences for outstanding fiction, about a passion for brilliant and exceptional storytelling.  In 2018, now more than ever, it is important not only to champion and honour women’s voices, but also to celebrate the incredible range and diversity of women's creativity from all over the world.”

At lunchtimes, actors Tori Allen-Martin and James Rastall are back to bring each of the six shortlisted novels to life with exclusive readings. In the evenings, the bar will come to life with brilliant book events featuring some of the UK’s most inspirational women and bestselling novelists.

This year’s pop-up Book Bar will also be a showcase for The Baileys Treat Collective - a team of inspiring food and drink experts working with Baileys to create playful, eccentric and over-the-top Baileys-inspired treats.

The collective, led by highly acclaimed artisan baker, Lily Vanilli, includes top mixologist Missy Flynn, award-winning chocolatier Lucie Bennett, ice cream supremo Sophia Brothers and leading barista Celeste Wong. This talented troupe has been chosen by Baileys to deliver the ultimate collection of tasty, grown-up treats to be showcased at the Baileys Book Bar. 

Guests will be able to purchase the shortlisted books throughout the week and indulge in a range of Baileys serves, all of which are included in the price of a ticket.

Diageo Chief Marketing Officer Syl Saller, added: “We are delighted to be working again with the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Diageo believes in the power of celebrating female talent as a way of encouraging gender equality. Baileys, as a brand that resonates with so many women, is proud to be sponsoring the Book Bar, playing host to a number of events during the week and encouraging that deliciously indulgent combination of a Baileys and good book.”

THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2018 at the BAILEYS BOOK BAR: EVENTS SCHEDULE

Tuesday 24th April at 6.30pm: Women, Power & Revolution

This event will see an exceptional panel of inspiring women - including author and Co-Founder of the Women’s Equality Party, and 2018 WPFF judge, Catherine Mayer, broadcaster, writer and campaigner, June Sarpong and bestselling author Kit de Waal -  discuss the topic of women, power and revolution and what revolution means to them today.

Wednesday 25th April at 1-2pm: Lunchtime Readings

Exclusive readings from each of the 2018 shortlisted novels performed by actors Tori Allen-Martin and James Rastall – the perfect escape for your lunch hour!

Wednesday 25th April at 6.30pm: Delicious Baileys Cocktail Masterclass

The Baileys Treat Collective coffee expert, Celeste Wong (@the_ girl_in_the_cafe), will also be hosting an evening workshop in The Book Bar. As one of London's top baristas, Celeste is the perfect person to show you how to create deliciously indulgent coffee and Baileys cocktails to impress your friends at home.

Thursday 26th April at 1-2pm: Lunchtime Shortlist Readings

Exclusive readings from each of the 2018 shortlisted novels performed by actors Tori Allen-Martin and James Rastall – the perfect escape for your lunch hour! 

Thursday 26th April at 6.30pm: Celebrating Emily Bronte @ 200

Celebrating Emily Bronte @ 200, a panel of Bronte enthusiasts - including Lily Cole, Juno Dawson, Louise Doughty and Dorothy Koomson - talk about their love of Emily Bronte's only novel Wuthering Heights and why the Bronte sisters continue to exert such a powerful influence on writing today. The evening will also offer an exclusive preview of the new anthology, I Am Heathcliff - containing sixteen original short stories inspired by Wuthering Heights - published by The Borough Press in July 2018.

Friday 27th April at 6.30pm: Queens of Comedy

Celebrate the best of female comedy with an evening paying homage to witty writing. Join some of the UK’s top female comedians and writers including bestselling author Jenny Colgan and journalist, writer and comedian, Viv Groskop for this special Friday finale event guaranteed to put a smile on your face. 

The Women’s Prize for Fiction – the UK’s only annual book award for fiction written by a woman – celebrates excellence, originality and accessibility in writing from across the globe. The WPFF 2018 shortlist will be announced on Monday 23 April and the winner is announced on Wednesday 6 June 2018. 

For tickets and further information visit www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk and follow us on twitter and Instagram @WomensPrize.

 

-ENDS-

 

For all press enquiries, to receive images, please contact Kallaway:

Tel: 0207 221 7883

Email: baileys@kallaway.com

Listings Information:

  • All events take place at the Baileys Book Bar at Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London, WC1E 6EQ
  • Each event is ticketed at £8.00 per person, ticket price includes a Baileys serve. Tickets available from www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk (over 18s only). Alternative non-alcoholic drinks are available.

Notes to Editors:

  • *The offer of a complimentary Baileys Iced Coffee with purchase of a shortlisted book is open to over 18s only. Alternative non-alcoholic drinks are available.

TORI ALLEN-MARTIN

Tori Allen-Martin is a singer-songwriter (iTunes top 20 artist), producer, actor and award nominated writer who has worked in Europe, Africa, the USA and London's West End. Her company Interval Productions has created 7 new musicals including the sold-out Streets (co-writer). Tori is currently filming Pure for Channel 4, airing later this year.

JIM RASTALL

Jim Rastall trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre school and has worked across stage, screen and radio. He is Artistic Director of The Playground. Acting credits include: Father Brown, Atlantis, Jamaica Inn (BBC); Vera, Marchlands (ITV); Celebrity Night at Cafe Red (Trafalgar Studios); A View from the Bridge (UK Tour).

About the Women’s Prize for Fiction

  • Orange was title sponsor of the Prize between 1996 - 2012 and Baileys was title sponsor from 2013 – 2017.
  • From 2018, the Women’s Prize for Fiction is supported by a family of sponsors - Baileys, Deloitte and NatWest.
  • The Prize’s spokesperson is novelist and WPFF Founder Director, Kate Mosse, Harriet Hastings is Managing Director and Amanda Johnson is Project & Publicity Director.
  • The Prize board comprises of Joanna Prior (Chair), Alison Barrow, Felicity Blunt (Company Secretary), Annie Coleman, Harriet Hastings (Managing Director), Karen Jones CBE, Louise Jury, Sandeep Mahal, Kate Mosse OBE, Anna Rafferty and Syl Saller.  Together they are responsible for the overall management and direction of the Prize and the sponsorship arrangements.
  • The Prize Founding Patrons are Kate Mosse OBE, Clare Alexander, Jane Gregory, Susan Sandon and Carole Welch.
  • The Prize patrons are; Dame Gillian Beer DBE, Rosie Boycott, Liz Calder, Shami Chakrabarti CBE, Helen Fraser CBE, Fi Glover, Daisy Goodwin, Muriel Gray, Bettany Hughes, Paula Kahn, Martha Kearney, Jude Kelly OBE, Helena Kennedy, Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws QC FRSA, Kirsty Lang, Sue MacGregor CBE, Sheena McDonald, Dame Jenni Murray DBE, Penny Perrick, Dame Gail Rebuck DBE, Miranda Richardson, Tessa Ross CBE, Gillian Shephard, Baroness Shephard of Northwold, Ahdaf Soueif, Sandi Toksvig, Polly Toynbee, Joanna Trollope OBE and Lola Young, Baroness Young of Hornsey OBE.
  • Previous winners are Naomi Alderman for The Power (2017), Lisa McInerney for The Glorious Heresies (2016), Ali Smith for How to be Both (2015), Eimear McBride for A Girl is a Half-formed Thing (2014), A.M. Homes for May We Be Forgiven (2013), Madeline Miller for The Song of Achilles (2012), Téa Obreht for The Tiger’s Wife (2011), Barbara Kingsolver for The Lacuna (2010), Marilynne Robinson for Home (2009), Rose Tremain for The Road Home (2008), Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for Half of a Yellow Sun (2007), Zadie Smith for On Beauty (2006), Lionel Shriver for We Need to Talk About Kevin (2005), Andrea Levy for Small Island (2004), Valerie Martin for Property (2003), Ann Patchett for Bel Canto (2002), Kate Grenville for The Idea of Perfection (2001), Linda Grant for When I Lived in Modern Times (2000), Suzanne Berne for A Crime in the Neighbourhood (1999), Carol Shields for Larry’s Party (1998), Anne Michaels for Fugitive Pieces (1997), and Helen Dunmore for A Spell of Winter (1996).

About BAILEYS:

BAILEYS was the world’s first cream liqueur, the perfect balancing act of aged Irish whiskey woven with fresh Irish dairy cream, a hint of cocoa and vanilla. It’s also the world’s biggest seller, with over 82 million bottles sold worldwide each year. Every minute of every day over 2000 people around the world are enjoying a BAILEYS.

The BAILEYS word and associated logos are trademarks.

About Diageo:

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).

For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at

www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

About Deloitte

In this press release references to “Deloitte” are references to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”) a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of DTTL and its member firms.

Deloitte LLP is a subsidiary of Deloitte NWE LLP, which is a member firm of DTTL, and is among the UK's leading professional services firms.

About NatWest

NatWest serves customers in England and Wales supporting them with their personal, private and business banking needs, and supports large corporates in Western Europe. Alongside a wide range of banking services, NatWest offers businesses specialist sector knowledge in areas such as manufacturing and technology, as well as access to specialist entrepreneurial support.