Author appearances, poetry and spoken word events in London this week
Hip Hop Shakespeare comes to Southbank Centre.
Thursday 20 March
BEDSIT DISCO QUEEN: Waterstones Hampstead host An Evening with Tracey Thorn, author of Bedsit Disco Queen. See Tracey in conversation with Andrew Collins. £6/£4, prebook, 7pm
LONDON PICTURES: The Gentle Author, who produces Londonist favourite Spitalfields Life, heads to Daunt Books in Marylebone to show images from his new book, London Album, which contrasts historical and contemporary images of London. Right up our street. £8, prebook, 7pm
LEARN TO PERFORM: Want to move into performance poetry, or improve your public speaking generally? Veteran actress Eve Pearce is holding a workshop, Learn To Do Your Poems Justice, at Torriano Meeting House, to help people improve their projection and stage presence. £12, prebook, 7pm
SOMALI POETRY: The Mosaic Rooms in Kensington hosts Somali Sunrise, a night of music, poetry and film screenings. The event is led by Somali hip hop group Waayaha Cusub, whose work aims to guide young people away from extremism. Free, prebook, 7pm
UP AND COMING: Head to Southbank Centre for the regular Scratch Mixer, where specially chosen up-and-coming poets and spoken word artists perform their work. We’re particularly intrigued by London Nocturn: A Rhapsody by Lloyd Ryan-Thomas. £5+bf, prebook, 7pm
THATCHER READING: Stonewall Writer Of The Year Damian Barr reads from Maggie & Me, a book about Margaret Thatcher’s life and legacy, at West End Lane Books in West Hampstead. Free, prebook, 7.30pm
TONGUE FU: Poets, storytellers, comedians and writers all perform against live soundtracks at Tongue Fu at Rich Mix. Guests include stand-up poet Laurie Bolger. £8/£6, prebook. 7.30pm
THEMED STORIES: Stories by The Invisible Dot sees poets, writers and speakers from across the country come together to share stories on a specific theme. Tonight’s performers include Tom Allen and Shon Dale-Thomas. £10, prebook, 7.45pm
STAND-UP POETRY:Bang Said The Gun‘s weekly stand-up poetry shindig takes place at The Roebuck and this week features Luke Wright and Talia Randall. £7/£5, just turn up, 8pm
Friday 21 March
AUTHOR DISCUSSION: Waterstones Piccadilly hosts bestselling author Anita Shreve in conversation with Viv Groskop about her new psychological mystery novel, The Lives of Stella Bain. £5/£3, prebook, 6pm
MAG LAUNCH: Literary mag The Alarmist launches its fourth issue with top live comedy, spoken word and DJs. Takes place at The Star of Kings near Kings Cross. £6/£5, just turn up, 8pm
Saturday 22 March
HAIKU: Haiku lovers, head to the Poetry Cafe for HaikuJAM, an afternoon of collaborative Haiku writing. Open to beginners and experienced Haiku writers. Free, prebook, 3pm
NEW POETRY: Lipped Ink is a monthly event at the Poetry Cafe with an open mic and featured poet. Hosted by Mark Thompson, founder of The Cultural Chameleon Press, and Sarah Thompson. £5, just turn up, 7.30pm
Sunday 23 March
FREE POETRY: Head to Keats House for a free afternoon of poetry performances set to a musical melody. Upcoming artists also have a chance to showcase their work. Free, prebook, 2pm
TORRIANO POETS: This week’s Sunday Poetry Reading at Torriano Meeting House features David Cooke and Sue Aldred, introduced by Peter Phillips. £5/£4, just turn up, 7.30pm
STORIES: Hidden Story Symposium at JW3 explores hidden stories and the impact they have on wider society. Panelists are Prof Stephen Frosh, Richard Goldstein, Leya Landau and Amichai Lau-Lavie. £15/£7.50, prebook, 7.30pm
Monday 24 March
STARTING TODAY: Head to Southbank Centre to hear Black Roses: The Killing Of Sophie Lancaster read aloud. The play, written by Simon Armitage, tells the real story of 20 year old Sophie Lancaster who was killed because she dressed differently. On until 28 March. £12, prebook, 7pm
ALAN TITCHMARSH: Orion Books have partnered up with Kings Place to bring us Fanny Blake, author of The Secrets Women Keep, interviewing Alan Titchmarsh, who will be discussing his new novel Bring Me Home. £9.50, prebook, 7pm
ROOM: Emma Donoghue talks to John Mullan about her award winning novel, Room, at Kings Place. £9.50, prebook, 7pm
Tuesday 25 March
BOOK SWAP: Foyles on Charing Cross Road host the Firestation Book Swap with Scott Pack and Marie Phillips. Bring along a book, eat cake, ask questions, leave with another book. Sounds good, no? Guest authors Nick Harkaway and Matt Rudd will also be present. £5, prebook, 6.30pm
AUTHOR TALK: Ben Macintyre, best-selling author of Operation Mincemeat and Double Cross, visits Lutyens Rubinstein to talk about his latest thriller, A Spy Among Friends. £8, prebook, 7pm
POETRY UNPLUGGED: The Poetry Cafe hosts Poetry Unplugged, a weekly open mic night. Anyone is welcome to sign up. £5/£4, just turn up, 7.30pm
POETRY/COMEDY: Poetry meets comedy in Rob Auton’s The Sky Show at Leicester Square Theatre, a show all about, er, the sky. Also on tomorrow. £7/£6, prebook, 9pm
Wednesday 26 March
POETRY WARS: Drop by the Poetry Cafe to see Stanza Bonanza, a poetry stand-off. This week, Clapham vs. Colchester. Free, just turn up, 7pm
MODERN SHAKESPEARE: The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company presents Richard II LIVE at Southbank Centre, a medley of songs adapted from the scenes and themes of William Shakespeare’s Richard II. Also on tomorrow. £12, prebook, 7.45pm
FREE POETRY: Kat Francois hosts Jawdance at Rich Mix, with guest poet Naga MC and open mic. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm
Follow @LondonistLit for our pick of that day’s literary events.