Book-lovers pay attention – the Wimbledon BookFest kicks off tonight with literary giant Alexander McCall Smith in the first of a varied programme of events.
The opening gala night tonight will feature Mr McCall Smith in conversation with Jennifer Cox in the Big Tent on the Common, and Philosophy on a Friday being held in the William Morris Tent.
Clare Balding will be at the BookFest on Sunday, October 12.
Tickets are still on sale for Wimbledon's eighth book festival featuring a star-studded line-up of best-selling authors.
Headline speakers at this year's BookFest include actress Juliet Stevenson, TV presenter Clare Balding, comedian Paul Merton and renowned writers Ian McEwan and Alexander McCall Smith.
Set on Wimbledon Common, a specially-commissioned Big Tent seating up to 500 and a William Morris-themed marquee will open to readers tonight for 10 days.
Talks, film screenings, live music and workshops are among an eclectic range of events planned, as well as the popular Comedy on Wimbledon Common event with Josh Widdecombe and sports nights hosted by John Inverdale and Brian Moore.
Children will be kept entertained with art and writing workshops, storytelling with CBeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell and a Wombles sing-along.
Horrid Henry helps to launch the BookFest with Love Wimbledon in the town centre.
Jacqueline Wilson, Benjamin Zephaniah and Michael Rosen will lead events for schools and there will be a special 10-year anniversary event of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness Series with Wimbledon writer and patron Michelle Paver.
Other programme highlights include Victoria Hislop discussing her new work The Sunrise, former Home Secretary Alan Johnson talking about his memoirs and a literary lunch with Wimbledon writers Penny Vincenzi and Sophie Kinsella.
The University of Roehampton is the festival's lead education partner this year, with Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul O'Prey, Adam Foulds, and poets David Harsent and Fiona Sampson from the institution set to take to the stage.
Founded in 2007 by Fiona Razvi and Tony Kane, the festival works with local community groups, schools and businesses to develop the role of arts in Merton.
Follow the Wimbledon Guardian’s coverage of the festival on the website and in the newspaper, published on Thursdays.
Send in your photos from your favourite BookFest events to Becky on Becky.Middleton@London.newsquest.co.uk or Louisa on Louisa.Clarence@London.newsquest.co.uk.
Wimbledon BookFest; Wimbledon Common; Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 12. To book tickets, visit wimbledonbookfest.org, or call 020 8545 8342 on Tuesdays from 10am to 4pm, or buy in person at Wimbledon Library, Thursdays and Fridays, 9.30am to 1.30pm
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here