SA Book Fair 2015 programme released

The SA Book Fair is South Africa's largest fair of its kind and attracts some of the biggest names. Over 100 authors, writers, poets, publishers and playwrights will be sharing their experience, talents and knowledge in a three-day book-inspired escapade.

Here are a few highlights from the programme:

• Wonder Woman: At a kids event, Lauren Beukes will be reading her Wonder Woman comic with art by Mike Maihack. The Trouble With Cats in DC's Sensation #9 has Wonder Woman racing to save Batman and Superman from her arch-enemy, Cheetah, on a mythical island off the coast of Mozambique. But the story takes a twist to Soweto where a young girl has to find her own inner heroine and use the power of her imagination to save the day. This event is suitable for kids aged five and up, and includes a brief talk on how comics are made. Grown-up comic fans are welcome too. Dressing up as a superhero is encouraged;
• Twenty-one born-frees are asked what 21 years of democracy means: Melanie Verwoerd and Sonwabiso Ngcawo discuss the answers in 21 at 21;
• Seduced!: Dr Eve explores a new threat to marriages and relationships: cyber infidelity;
• Black and White in Colour - Why race (still) matters: Lewis Gordon, Melanie Verwoerd and Xolela Mangcu, chaired by Shireen Hassim. In conjunction with the M & G Literary Festival;
• How imagination can change the world: Uno de Waal, winner of top African Blogger Award for Arts And Culture, chats to ad men John Hunt, Mark Winkler and Khaya Dlanga about the power and magic of the imagination;
• Africa is a continent of opportunity and potential: Publishing in Africa discusses the challenges and opportunities of trading books in the Global South;
• It's reading, but not as you know it: Mike Mophoto, the man behind Diary of a Zulu Girl, Rebecca Davis & Nancy Brown from World Reader, explore fun and different ways of getting South Africans reading. With Karabo Kgoleng-Dada;
• The books you read say a lot about who you are: Novelists Niq Mhlongo, Finuala Dowling and Rehana Rossouw discover South Africa's Bookself. Chaired by Karabo Kgoleng-Dada;
• Die opkoms van die vigilante in Lekkerkunde: Peet Venter en die krimisibbe, Dibi and Henk Breytenbach, filosofeer al drie oor die rol van die vigilante in hulle boeke. Ons sien dikwels hoe die howe skynbaar faal, maar wat is die alternatief?
• Shorts: Siphiwo Mahala talks to Ivan Vladislavic, Achmat Dangor and Masande Ntshanga about the art of the short story;
• Books, boys and beers: Gareth Crocker, Khaya Dlanga and Pete Goffe-Wood share their bromance with Ndumiso Ngcobo over craft beers, as they discuss the meaning of life and friendship. Snacks included; and
• Future Perfect - Transforming Joburg from apartheid city to a city for all: David Everatt, Nechama Brodie and others. Chaired by Rashid Seedat in conjunction with the M & G Literary Festival.

But that's not everything, there's poetry and scriptwriting master classes, panel discussions, workshops and lectures, all involving leading writers, editors and publishers from South Africa and the world. If you are wanting to enter the writing and publishing industry, there's a significant part of the programme towards new talent, so there are plenty of workshops to help you on your way. Some of these include:
• Publishing in Indigenous Languages: Elinor Sisulu, NLSA and PUO discuss children's literature publishing in indigenous languages and how to achieve this quantum leap. Facilitated by the Puku Children's Literature Foundation;
• Editing Workshop: This 50-minute hands-on workshop provides insight into whether editing is meant for you;
• Get published: Get the inside scoop on taking your book from manuscript to publication. Mark Winkler talks about how he broke through the lit barrier, and numerous publishers give their tips and suggestions about digital versus physical choices and how to get published;
• Scriptwriting stories: Master class with screenwriting legends Fred Strydom and Harry Kalmer; and
• Ever dreamt of expressing yourself through poetry?: In "Poetry master class" with Finuala Dowling and Beverly Rycroft, you'll find there's more to poetry than finding a word to rhyme with orange.

The popular Creative Mornings JHB will be hosting their monthly session at the fair with the title 'Confessions of a design thief'. Participants will gain some insight into the workings of a creative mind during this entertaining talk from Garth Walker, the man who edited iJusi for 20 years.

And if you're feeling energised after all the adventure, join Past Experiences on one or both of their walking tours around historic Joburg - 'The ANC - past, present and future' or 'What's in a name', which explores the changing names of inner-city Joburg, happening at midday on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

To find out more about the programme, go to www.southafricanbookfair.com