Orange Prize for Fiction 2011: Liverpool Readers’ Night at The Bluecoat

The 2011 winner of one of Britain’s most prestigious literary awards, the Orange Prize for Fiction, will be announced on Wednesday 8th June at a glittering ceremony in London. On the same night, a special Liverpool Readers’ Night centred on the prize takes place at The Bluecoat.

The city’s literary lovers can join Liverpool Libraries’ staff and members of local book groups for an evening dedicated to celebrating the cream of female authors. Extracts of the short-listed books – which is comprised of Room by Emma Donaghue, The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna, Grace Williams Says It Loud by Emma Henderson, Great House by Nicole Krauss, The Tiger's Wife by Tèa Obreht and Annabel by Kathleen Winter– will be read, there will be a light-hearted literary quiz to partake in (so time to get swotting) and free prize draws to enter. Attendees will also be able to cast their vote for who they believe should be Liverpool’s winner from the selected shortlist.

The Orange Prize for Fiction is in its 16th year, with previous winners including Reading for Wellbeing guest speaker Marilynne Robinson, Liverpool Reads’ (precursor to Our Read) approved Andrea Levy and Liverpool-born Linda Grant.

Tickets for the Liverpool Readers’ Night cost £3/2 and can be booked from The Bluecoat box office on 0151 702 5324 or through the Bluecoat’s website. They are also available from Peter Wallace, Reader Development Officer, Liverpool Libraries who can be reached via e-mail: Peter.Wallace@liverpool.gov.uk .