And we are off!

 So are you pleased? Is it what you expected? Is there anyone else that you are hoping to see in the programme come March?

Well hopefully today has given enough of a teaser for everybody to feel excited about Hong Kong International Literary Festival 2011.

This morning at 10am, we started our marathon, Tweetathon! Announcing names of the line up for next year every half hour.

Here is how it went, if you missed it:

Wednesday December 1^st 2010 - 09:45 am

15 minutes until we announce the names for Hong Kong International Literary Festival 2011! #HKILF11

Here we go! Emma Donoghue will be coming to #HKILF11 to share her New York Times Bestseller & @ManBookerPrize 2010 shortlisted novel ‘Room’

Wena Poon will be visiting Hong Kong next March to discuss Alex y Robert. The story of an American girl who wants to be a Matador! #HKILF11

When a Billion Chinese Jump is @guardian journalist Jonathan Watts @jonathanwatts latest travelogue through China. Hear him at #HKILF11

Sir Andrew Motion is coming to Hong Kong International Literary Festival Need we say any more! #HKILF11

 

Inaugural @MALPrize nominee and local Hong Kong author, Xu Xi is set to appear at #HKILF11 discussing ‘Habit of a Foreign Sky’

Mixing it up at #HKILF11 with his unique performance style will be Benjamin Zephaniah – brought to HK in partnership with @BritishCouncil

We are very pleased to announce that Indian author Amitav Ghosh is joining us to celebrate the written word at #HKILF11

@MALPrize Judge, Monica Ali, will also be stopping by to give a reading and discuss her latest book at #HKILF11

 

So far: Monica Ali, Andrew Motion, Amitav Ghosh, Benjamin Zephaniah, Jonathan Watts, Xu Xi, Wena Poon and Emma... http://fb.me/NGNptqYC

SO round two of authors... One of the UK's first black female judges Constance Briscoe will discuss her bestseller, Ugly at #HKILF11

Hiromi Goto will also be coming to Hong Kong for the #HKILF11 between 8th - 18th March 2011. Not long to go!

Thanks to everybody that joined in on Facebook and Twitter, commenting, ‘like’ing, Tweeting and ReTweeting!

Of course the names above are just some from the varied line up for next year. We still have many more names and literary heroes to announce over the next few weeks and in the run up to the Festival. One way you can get to find out first is by coming along to our Festival Launch Dinner next week at Gitone Restaurant!

Eat, drink and discuss with the literati of Hong Kong and find out who will speak at the 11th Hong Kong International Literary Festival. At the same time, be the first to book tickets for selected events. For one night only, purchase festival tickets and receive a signed Festival book of your choice.

Date:                 Wednesday, 8 December 2010 @ 7.30pm


Venue:            Gitone Restaurant G/F, GB27-28, Lei King Wan,

45 Tai Hong Street, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong


Cost:                HK$500 for Friends of the Festival  

HK$550 for non-members

To book your dinner tickets, please email marketing@festival.org.hk or call 2877 9797.

After the launch night, Cityline Ticketing, HK, will handle ticket sales for the 2011 Festival, with sales to Friends of the Festival beginning on 10^th December, and going on general release on 17^th January 2011.