The National Book Council and Għaqda tal-Malti at University are holding the fourth edition of the Book Festival on Campus.

This festival is meant to provide a space for Maltese publishers and distributors to promote their work with a mature audience.

Apart from book sales, there is a varied programme of events, which aim to promote literature within a wide scope that extends well beyond the business of selling books.

This year’s special guest is Caroline Smailes, a renowned author of a number of books, including the much-appraised In Search of Adam, which was published in 2007 (The Friday Project/Harper Collins). Other works penned by her include Like Bees to Honey, 99 Reasons Why and The Drowning of Arthur Braxton, which is currently being made into a film.

Smailes, who is of Maltese descent, was born in Newcastle and studied creative writing. During the festival, she will be leading a number of workshops on creative writing.  She will also be the guest in an activity dedicated to her where excerpts of her work will be read.

The public will have the opportunity to address the writer directly.

Among the other activities, there will be interviews with authors, local music performances, the screening of literary-themed films and a good number of collaborative activities with various cultural organisations, among which are student organisations.

The publishers and distributors participating in the festival are Horizons, Faraxa Books, Sensiela Kotba Soċjalisti (SKS), Students Philosophical Society, Ede, Kotba Calleja and BDL, some of which will be setting up events of their own.

There will also be a stand for the organisers, Għaqda tal-Malti at University, and the National Book Council, which will serve as an information desk for all visitors to the festival.

The Book Festival on Campus starts today and runs until Thursday. Opening hours from 10am to 3pm and from 5pm till late in the evening.