1. Dame Professor Carol Ann Duffy

The first female Poet Laureate is keynote speaker at this year’s festival and will read from previously unpublished material, and sign books for fans.

The Quad, Monday, March 23, 6.30pm.

2. James Martin Charlton

The playwright, theatre director, and filmmaker will launch publication of his Collected Plays Volume One with a reading from his award-winning production Fat Souls. This is the first time the play has been heard in public since its original production. The reading is directed by up-and-coming talent Connor Abbott.

Grove Building, Monday, March 23, 3pm

3. Free Speech Debate

Freelance journalist and former writer for The Independent, Christina Patterson will debate the consequences of free speech along with journalist, author and broadcaster Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, investigative journalist and professor of journalism Kurt Barling, and legal professor Eric Heinze.

Middlesex University, Hendon Campus, The Burroughs, Tuesday, March 24, 3.30pm

4. Patrick Redmond

Author of The Wishing Game, a psychological thriller set in a Norfolk boys boarding school, Patrick will talk about where he draws his inspiration from, and the crime genre. His fifth novel, The Replacement, is due to be published this year.

Middlesex University, Hendon Campus, Wednesday, March 25, 12.30pm

5. Children’s Books

Editor at Walker Books, which publishes the Where’s Wally books among other well-read titles, Mara Bergman will offer advice from her career. She will be joined by Ellie Levenson, founder and editor of Fisherton Press, an independent children’s fiction publisher, to talk about the ins and outs of their industry.

Middlesex University, Hendon Campus, Wednesday, March 25, 2.30pm

6. Charles Palliser

Acclaimed novelist of The Quincunx – which has sold more than a million copies worldwide – and Rustication, He will give a reading, followed by a Q&A session. The best-selling author, 67, was born in Massachusetts, America, but now lives in the UK.

Middlesex University, Hendon Campus, Wednesday, March 25, 5.30pm.

North London Literary Festival, March 23 to 25. Details: 07717 858619, northlondonlitfest.com