We’re very excited to be bringing American YA author Angie Thomas to Edinburgh for a special event on Saturday 9 March to introduce the much-anticipated follow-up to her bestselling novel The Hate U Give.
The rapper-turned-writer’s incendiary novel about state violence against African Americans, inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, sold millions worldwide and was a number one bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic. It scooped a bevy of awards and was adapted into a stunning film in late 2018. Now Angie is back with an even more personal story and the Book Festival is bringing her to Edinburgh in an exclusive Scottish appearance to share it with her fans.
Book Festival Programme Director Janet Smyth said “If The Hate U Give helped you find your voice, now it’s time to make some noise! We are so excited to welcome Angie to Edinburgh where we know that legions of her fans will be queuing up to hear her speak of her own experiences. While she is an exciting and inspiring author for young adults, her appeal reaches across the generations.”
Angie’s much-anticipated new novel is On the Come Up, which follows Bri, the teenage daughter of an underground hip hop legend who was gunned down before he made it big. Bri’s sights are set on being rap’s next superstar, but these dreams are threatened when her mum loses her job and poverty comes to clip Bri’s wings. When desire turns to desperation, what is Bri willing to become in order to salvage her dream and help her family?
The inspiring new star of fiction will sit down to chat with feminist poet Nadine Aisha Jassat, whose writing was featured in 2017’s hugely popular Nasty Women anthology. Hear about Angie’s own experiences as a teen rapper, the power of hip hop and the plight of child poverty in America, revealing just how far a dream has taken her. There will be a chance for audience members to ask their own questions and Angie will be signing copies of her books after the event.
This special event with Angie Thomas will take place at 2.00pm on Saturday 9 March at the Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre in George Square, EH8 9LH. Tickets are priced at £8 (£6 under 16s / students / other concessions) and are available now on the Book Festival website here: www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/whats-on/angie-thomas
The Edinburgh International Book Festival’s programme of on the road events, which takes place outwith August, and outside Charlotte Square Gardens, is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.