The latest chapter of Emirates Festival of Literature is set to be a real page-turner.
Some huge names from across the globe are set to take the stage at the annual celebration of the written word, taking place from Febraury 3-13 at Al Habtoor City.
From talks, workshops, exhibitions and more, there’s a huge bill to look forward to, and we’ve profiled some of the names who will be sharing their wisdom with fans and aspiring writers alike.
Buckle up, because it’s about to get lit.
David Baldacci
Emirates Festival of Literature will not be without its thrills, and David Baldacci is a great source of them. Revered as a thriller novelist, Baldacci has penned more than 40 (yes, 40) bestsellers, featuring, most recently, Amos Decker, Aloysius Archer, Atlee Pine, and John Puller. And the former lawyer turned novelist is doing all he can to pass on the power of the written word to the next generation. His not-for-profit Wish You Well Foundation is dedicated to supporting literacy efforts all across his native USA.
David Walliams
David Walliams tore up the script when he ventured into children’s writing, and his influence stretches far and wide to playgrounds all over the globe. He’s sold more than 40 million copies to date, and his work has been translated into some 55 languages. His most recent offering, Megamonster, bolted right to the top of the charts when it was released in the summer of 2021, and we’re expecting news of even more laugh-along titles when he rocks up in the UAE. Walliams is known for his flamboyance, so any chance to listen to the literary ace in the flesh is an absolute must.
Gary Vaynerchuck
Famed for his hugely positive LinkedIn presence, a platform on which he champions employee wellbeing as the greatest weapon any company can have in its arsenal, Gary Vaynerchuck is a self-made man in every sense of the phrase. A bona fide hustler, Gary V, as he likes to be called, built his empire buying and selling baseball cards as a kid. He now helms VaynerMedia and is one of the most influential celeb-mould business gurus around, having written five New York Times best sellers. Try his podcast, it’s a home run.
Indra Nooyi
A veritable force in the world of business, Indra Nooyi has advised everyone from major corporations, serial entrepreneurs and even governments. She chaired PepsiCo (you may have heard of their soft drink range) between 2006 and 2018, and was the architect behind the founding of the Performance with Purpose campaign, which redefined the brand’s vision to deliver growth in a more sustainable way, both environmentally and through its personnel. When Indra speaks, you listen, and we’ll be all ears at this year’s Emirates Literature Festival.
Julia Quinn
Heard of Netflix smash Bridgerton? It’s based entirely on the work of Julia Quinn, so expect to be seeing stars when she rolls into town. Yup, The Bridgertons has propelled Quinn into the stratosphere of literary celebs, but the TV series is far from the only string to this author’s impressive bow. She’s one of just 16 members of the Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame, and her work has been translated into more than 30 languages to be swooned over by people from all corners of the globe.
Nadiya Hussain
There’s something cooking at Emirates Festival of Literature, and it smells absolutely great. Jettisoned into stardom by her winning performance on The Great British Bake Off, Nadiya Hussain immediately captured the imagination with her popular series of cooking books. From there she mixed in bestsellers and autobiographies about identity and finding your place in the world, always leaning on her talents in the kitchen to tell a story. Her sessions will be a tasty treat, and we can’t wait to tuck in.
tickets.emirateslitfest.com/authors.aspx
