Fifty-two Chinese writers are to engage in extended exchanges with their foreign counterparts, readers, publishers, literary agents and translators. Listed are some of the events.

Modern Chinese Masters

Apr 16, 11:30 - 12:30

Whitehall Room

Featuring Annie Baobei and Li Er, together with their translators and publisher Harvey Thomlinson.

From Page to Screen

Apr 16, 13:00 - 14:00

Whitehall Room

Han Dong, Xiaolu Guo, Owen Sheers, and Megan Walsh who have been successful both on the page and on the screen to discuss the challenges and rewards of being both a writer of novels and a screenwriter.

A Female Perspective

Apr 16, 16:00 - 17:00

Whitehall Room

Tie Ning, Bi Feiyu, and

Rachel Holmes discuss the

process of creating female

characters that reflect the lives

of Chinese women in the

recent past.

Pathlight: that lightens contemporary Chinese literature

Apr 16, 14:05 - 15:50

Piccadilly Room

Pathlight magazine contributors and editors.

Science Fiction in China

Apr 17, 11:00 - 12:00

Whitehall Room

John Clute, science fiction writer and editor of The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, discusses the genre with co-editor Jonathan Clements, Ah Lai, former editor of Science Fiction World, and acclaimed science fiction writer Liu Cixin.

Ancient Myths in Contemporary Fiction

Apr 17, 12:30 - 13:30

Whitehall Room

Ah Lai and Tsering Norbu explore why ancient myths still fascinate us today and how these timeless stories can be brought into the 21st century.

Writing for the Digital World

Apr 17, 14:00 - 15:00

Whitehall Room

Annie Baobei and Ah Yi achieved initial success posting their work online. They consider the effect the digital world has on contemporary literature and the opportunities it presents to writers together with translator Canaan Morse and novelist and digital expert Naomi Alderman.

Chinese Children's Literature

Apr 17, 15:30 - 16:30

Whitehall Room

In an attempt to find out more about the world of Chinese children's literature, two of China's most popular authors in this genre join us to discuss their writing.

The Art of Publishing Literary Magazines

Apr 17, 17:00 - 18:00

Whitehall Room

New literary magazines, be it online or in print, are being launched on a daily basis in China. Former editor Ah Lai, editor Ou Ning, and literary critic Li Jingze and translator Eric Abrahamsen, both from Pathlight magazine, share their views on why this format is experiencing such a surge in popularity.

Contemporary Chinese Poetry

Apr 18, 10:00 - 11:00

Whitehall Room

Xi Chuan and Han Dong, two of China's celebrated contemporary poets, read from their work with fellow poet Pascale Petit and reflect on this evocative and though-provoking genre.

Urban Landscapes

Apr 18, 11:30 - 12:30

Whitehall Room

The ever-growing urban landscapes in modern China are irrevocably changing the traditional way of life. The challenges posed by living in these enormous cities form the focus of much of Liu Zhenyun's, Xu Zechen's and Sheng Keyi's work.

Contemporary China On the Page

Apr 18, 14:00 - 15:00

Whitehall Room

Chinese society has been undergoing monumental changes and is constantly evolving under the influence of China's changing status in the world.

Rural China

Apr 18, 15:30 - 16:30

Whitehall Room

Authors Mo Yan and Li Er debate with literature expert Lu Jiande the role of life outside the city in contemporary fiction, forming the background to explorations of tradition and change.