Novelist, dramatist, short story writer, critic and occasional stand-up comedian, Alison Kennedy is one of the most admired writers in Britain, celebrated for her exquisite prose style and sparkling wit. Since her debut 25 years ago, she has twice been named as one of Granta’s Best Young British Novelists, published seven collections of short stories, non-fiction works on everything from bullfighting to writing, and seven novels, including Day, which won the Costa Award in 2007, Paradise and now Serious Sweet, a poignant, beautiful and dazzlingly told love story about two people trying to make moral choices in an immoral world. The event will be chaired by critic Niall MacMonagle.