The Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction Book Bar returns to Waterstones

The Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction Pop-Up Book Bar returns to Waterstones Tottenham Court Road: A five-day celebration of the pleasures of reading and brilliant storytelling from 3 to 7 April

• Following the sell-out success of its 2016 Pop-Up, the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction Book Bar is returning to Waterstones, Tottenham Court Road in April for five days of fantastic events celebrating outstanding fiction by women
• The programme of events will shine a spotlight on the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction 2017 shortlist and offer a series of inspiring events with writers including Sara Pascoe, Lisa McInerney, Nicci Gerrard, Val McDermid, Katy Brand, Louise Doughty and Kate Mosse
• The Book Bar will serve as a destination to relax and enjoy outstanding fiction and specially created Baileys cocktails
• For tickets and event details, go to womensprizeforfiction.co.uk

The Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction is thrilled to announce the return of the Baileys Prize Pop-Up Book Bar to the Waterstones Tottenham Court Road flagship store following its sell-out success in 2016.

The collaboration will see the basement bar once again transformed into a literary haven combining the love of reading with the pleasure of a Baileys. For five days only, book lovers will have the opportunity to drop into the Book Bar to relax and sample the 2017 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlist – announced on Monday 3 April – whilst enjoying Baileys treats and cocktails.

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

Readers who purchase one of the shortlisted books throughout the week will receive a complimentary Baileys to enjoy as they celebrate the brilliant novels selected by the judges for the 2017 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction*.

BAILEYS PRIZE BOOK BAR 2017 EVENTS

Tuesday 4 April at 6.30pm

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 actor and writer, Katy Brand and comic, author and 2017 BWPFF judge, Sara Pascoe, alongside writer and broadcaster Natalie Haynes for an evening guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Wednesday 5 April at 1-2pm

Exclusive readings from each of the 2017 shortlisted novels performed by actors Tori Allen-Martin and James Rastall – the perfect escape for your lunch hour!

Wednesday 5 April at 6.30pm

What better way to celebrate the mid-week milestone than trying your hand at creating an extravagant Baileys iced coffee cocktail? Learn the tricks of the trade from our expert mixologist, master the art of the perfect book club accompaniment and round off the perfect evening with a literary quiz.

Thursday 6 April at 1-2pm

Exclusive readings from each of the 2017 shortlisted novels performed by actors Tori Allen-Martin and James Rastall – the perfect escape for your lunch hour!

Thursday 6 April at 6.30pm

Thursday evening will celebrate the Thriller Queens of fiction. A panel of internationally bestselling writers including the celebrated Scottish crime writer Val McDermid, Nicci Gerrard, author of the gripping Frieda Klein series, and Louise Doughty, author of Apple Tree Yard, take to the Baileys Prize Book Bar stage to discuss the thrillers they love with BWPFF co-founder and novelist, Kate Mosse.

Friday 7 April at 6.30pm

The finale event, set across two parts – will see Lisa McInerney, winner of the 2016 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction, talking about her work and offering an exclusive insight into her new novel, The Blood Miracles. In part two, the 2017 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction judges will join Kate Mosse to discuss what makes a great book and the great books they love.

Novelist and Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction Co-Founder, Kate Mosse, said: “The Prize is all about bringing readers and writers together, championing women’s voices and building new audiences for exceptional work. Our Book Bar will celebrate stories from all over the world, written by authors with all kinds of experiences, and promote the classics of tomorrow.”

Baileys Senior Brand Manager Joanna Andrews, added: “The Baileys Prize Book Bar is the ultimate celebration of two of life’s great pleasures: books and Baileys. We are proud to bring the Book Bar to life again for 2017, providing a unique opportunity for people to come together over delicious cocktails and enjoy fantastic books and discussion with inspirational women.”

The Baileys 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 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction winner announcement is on Wednesday 7 June 2017.

For press enquiries, please contact

Georgina Church or Esther Saunders-Deutsch at Kallaway:
Tel: 0207 221 7883
Email: womensprizeforfiction@kallaway.com

Listings Information:

• All events take place at the Baileys Prize Book Bar at Waterstones, 19-20 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 1BJ

• Each event is ticketed at £7.00 per person, ticket price includes a Baileys cocktail or coffee and Baileys. Tickets available from [INSERT LINK] (over 18s only)

Notes to Editors:

• *The offer of a complimentary Flat White martini or Baileys 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, producer, actor and writer who has worked in Europe, Africa, the USA and London’s West End. Her award-winning company Interval Productions has created 5 new musicals including the sold-out Streets (co-writer). Tori is currently working on a new EP of her own songs.

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).

About BAILEYS Women’s Prize for Fiction

• In June 2013, the Prize announced a new partnership with Baileys, the world’s first cream liqueur, with the first Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction being awarded in June 2014. The initial sponsorship agreement was for three years, to be renewed on an annual rolling basis.
• The Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction was known as the Orange Prize for Fiction between 1996 and 2012.
• The Prize honours the best full-length fiction written in the English language by a woman anywhere in the world and has an all-female judging panel.
• The Prize’s spokesperson is novelist and Women’s Prize co-founder Kate Mosse, Harriet Hastings is Managing Director and Amanda Johnson is Project Director.
• The Prize’s Board comprises Joanna Prior (Chair), Harriet Hastings (Managing Director), Felicity Blunt (Company Secretary), Annie Coleman, Hannah Griffiths, Karen Jones CBE, Louise Jury, Martha Lane Fox CBE, Nicola Mendelsohn CBE, Arzu Tahsin and Syl Saller. Together they are responsible for the overall management and direction of the Prize and the sponsorship arrangements.
• The Prize’s Advisory Council comprises Kate Mosse OBE, Clare Alexander, Jane Gregory (co-founder), Susan Sandon and Carole Welch.
• The Prize’s Patrons are: Dame Gillian Beer DBE, Rosie Boycott, Liz Calder, ShamiChakrabarti 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, Gillian Shephard, Baroness Shephard of Northwold, Ahdaf Soueif, Sandi Toksvig, Polly Toynbee, Joanna Trollope OBE and Lola Young, Baroness Young of Hornsey OBE.
• In November 2015, a celebration marking the 20th anniversary of the Women’s Prize for Fiction saw Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, winner of the Prize in 2007, named ‘Best of the Best’ of the winners of the second decade of the Prize.
• Andrea Levy was named ‘Best of the Best’ of the first decade of the Prize in 2005 for her novel Small Island, which won the Women’s Prize in 2004.

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