South Korea has long known for the production of great writing presses in history and while that might be the case, in more recent times, it is the production of great writers that is capturing the eyes of the world.  Today, with students becoming more than adept at the English language, of course this helps with the dissemination of literature across borders. Yet, it is the passion of intensely, artistic individuals that is creating the wave of literature sweeping the world off its feet!  Lilit Marcus writing for Vanity Fair enlightens the world with this awesome collection.  

This is what’s on the bestseller list for the week. You never know, it could be longer. Books are tricky creatures and everything depends on whether people like you read them. This is what makes a best seller. This is what keeps us looking forward to and looking out for, such books. This is what makes a book sell in record time - demand. This is what enables authors to write more, of what you love reading!

An interesting selection of books is in seventh place. Looks like the world is not having a good day with titles like: God of Malice, God of pain, God of wrath, God of ruin. Life does not have to be so vicious, but sometimes, I know it feels like it.

What the world needs now is not despise, hatred and negativity; but love, care and empathy. We need authors to guide lost souls to positive change and with it, will come positivity in how we view the world, how we interact with it and how we can make changes in our own lives to bring on happiness.

Share your love of life; be positive for all outcomes. Appreciate those around you and tell them everyday, how you feel. Buy a book - change an outlook - share what you love and spread great, positive thoughts of happiness.

Among those featuring on the opening days of the festival are Nobel Prize-winning novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah, who talks about his new novel, Theft, and receives the honorary fellowship of Oxford Literary Festival.

Award-winning actress of stage and screen Miriam Margolyes, pictured left, is the biggest draw on the opening Saturday, when she will speak about her support for animal welfare.

Saturday also features an appearance by the world-class Spanish chef Ferran Adrià, and a conversation between two of the UK's leading crime and mystery writers, Jonathan Coe and Val McDermid, pictured right.

Sunday sees appearances by farmer and author James Rebanks on travelling to the edge of the Arctic to spend a season with an ageing duck farmer and by international lawyer and writer Philippe Sands on his investigations into the post-war life of SS officer Walther Rauff and his connections to Pinochet.

Highlights of the early days of the festival also include historian Bettany Hughes, pictured right, on the seven wonders of the world, Timothy Garton Ash talking to Chris Patten about his desire for more and better freedom of expression, and historian and broadcaster Diarmaid MacCulloch on the 3,000-year story of Christians encountering sex, gender and family.

See the full Sheldonian programme.

Topping the bill on the children's programme over the weekend are How to Train your Dragon creator Cressida Cowell and entertainer and Pointless presenter Alexander Armstrong, pictured left, on his well-received first children's novel, Evenfall.

See the full children's programme.

This October, Korean books will be on display and of course, for sale in eight select countries, as part of an international, joint-presentation conducted by the Korean Culture Ministry - in collaboration with the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea and Korean Cultural Centers in the following eight countries: France, Mexico, Argentina, Vietnam, Egypt, Poland, Indonesia and the United Kingdom.

In each of the cultural centers - readers will be able to meet Korean authors and their translators, who will deliver seminars, discussions and specific book exhibitions from October through until December 2022.  

K-book events began in late September, initially in Warsaw, Poland at the Cultural Centre.  Authors such as Bora Chung participated in the ‘Meet an Author’ presentation, ahead of her Korean book’s Polish publication of the ‘Cursed Bunny’ – which was short-listed for the 2022 International Booker Prize.  Chung will also deliver a lecture for literature students of the SWPS University of Sciences and Humanities in Warsaw.  The University is proud to have recently launched a Korean Studies Program.
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The Cultural Centre in Cairo will deliver a similar structure of events with visiting Korean authors and their translators conducting talks and book-related presentation sessions.
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This all coincides with the UK’s ‘Korean Cultural Month’, celebrated at Foyles bookstore in Charing Cross Road in London, where Korean books will be on display and available for purchase, at the venue.  Author Fiona Bae, who recently published the book - ‘Make Break Remix: The Rise of K-Style and her book designer – Kim Young-Na will be participating in Korean Cultural discussions.

Cho Chang-In author of – ‘Gasigoki’ will visit Vietnam in October, while Sohn Won-Pyung author of ‘Almond’ will visit Argentina, in November.
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Indonesia, France and Mexico will hold related book events, at their Korean Cultural Centres - details of which will be announced in the coming weeks, on their respective official websites.

Released this month - the new LILIWIOFE' (annual) Diaries are created and designed specifically to motivate, inspire and organise individuals who might otherwise be a tad, too-timid, to realise their dreams. 

This A5 diary will kick-off the CoVid blues and get you started fresh, at the beginning of 2021.  Organise and use the daily #hashtags for a strong media presence, grow your business idea to its full potential - being motivated from day 1. 

Document your year's journey with like-minded individuals on the Instagram hashtag #liliwiofe' 

There you will be able to inspire and support others in their journey; and see what, how and who is moving forward with their dreams in 2021.  Let's come together to make the New Year - one to really remember and not - CoVid!  

Gift this treasure to a friend or family member who has been doing it tough.  Help them get back on top of things.  You are not alone; let's build a strong 2021 together.

Join us - see you on Instagram!  :)

Thank you to my wonderful friend Hassan Khan - who composed this incredibly, beautiful piece of music.  You can find more of his work on SoundCloud.:)

It seems authors are not exempt from the worrying virus of CoVid, as Stephenie Meyers has recently learned.  Stephenie doesn’t appear to be suffering extreme symptoms of the virus and is using her time well to remain isolated at home and for an author, well that can prove to be quite beneficial and not a huge inconvenience. 

However, live events - like the one for her recent book publication Midnight Sun, due to take place in Shelton, had to be rerouted to a virtual event.  This took care of the distancing protocols and kept both author and attendees safe.

​We wish Stephenie Meyer a speedy recovery and look forward to reading another one of her awesome books!

Breaking News - It is a sad day for the literary world, as American writer - Mary Higgins Clark joins the world of literary angels.  At the young age of 92 years, our dear Mary, who delighted readers across the globe with her thrilling suspense novels, passed peacefully away on Friday evening, while surrounded by family and friends.

Mary, dedicated more than 40 years of her life to writing suspense novels, completing over 50 works.  Some of her most noted works: ‘A Stranger is Watching’ and ‘Loves Music, Loves to Dance’, were both made into films. 
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God speed, Mary.