About — Lockdown LitFest

Who are we?

We are a small team of writing, publishing, broadcasting, tech and social media folk who are burning the midnight oil – and the occasional computer chip – to bring a diversely-curated online literature festival straight to your screens.

Most of us have freelance professional careers outside this locked-down world. We are putting our pent-up energy, skills and creative enthusiasm into creating an experience that brings a literary festival into every living room. We’re here for authors who need a platform and readers who love to hear authors speak.

Though we may be but little, we are fierce in our ambitions and working hard to build a thing of beauty, for you, for these anxious times and beyond.

The three co-founders are Paul Blezard (literary broadcaster and commentator), Wai Mun Yoon (tech entrepreneur), and Palash Davé (cultural strategist and former VP of The Hay Festival).

Literary broadcaster, author, editor and commentator, Paul Blezard has written and conducted over 8000 author interviews for publications ranging from the Independent on Sunday to Banipal. He has broadcast for the BBC, LBC and Oneword in the UK, and… — Literary broadcaster, author, editor and commentator, **Paul Blezard** has written and conducted over 8000 author interviews for publications ranging from the *Independent on Sunday* to *Banipal*. He has broadcast for the BBC, LBC and Oneword in the UK, and coast to coast in the USA, and has chaired and been a judge on a wide range of literary prizes.
**Most memorable literary festival moment**: Being backstage before an event with Toni Morrison who held my hand as she said “Maya (Angelou) sends her love” and then being with her shortly afterwards when news broke that Maya had died.

An online specialist and entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience of the startup space, Wai Mun Yoon was a founding member of the original management team of LOVEFiLM.com. He co-founded the digital syndication company CINELAN, as well as Munderba… — An online specialist and entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience of the startup space, **Wai Mun Yoon** was a founding member of the original management team of LOVEFiLM.com. He co-founded the digital syndication company CINELAN, as well as Munderbar!, a branded content specialist. Prior to that, he worked at *The Economist*. His charity work includes chairmanship of the Yellow Earth Theatre company, a National Portfolio Organisation of the Arts Council of Great Britain, whose focus is education through theatre.

**Most memorable literary festival moment**: I was fortunate enough to be in the audience at the Hay Festival in 2001 when US President Bill Clinton described Hay as ‘The Woodstock of the Mind’. Ever since then, literary festival directors around the world have been scratching their heads trying to come up with a line that comes even close. I’m not sure they’ve succeeded yet!

Palash Davé has directed documentaries including “Hitch Hike” (Channel 4 TV, UK, 2000) a road movie with Christopher Hitchens. He curated public talks for The Economist, the Soho Theatre and Litro magazine, and was a Vice President of the Hay Festiv… — **Palash Davé** has directed documentaries including “Hitch Hike” (Channel 4 TV, UK, 2000) a road movie with Christopher Hitchens. He curated public talks for *The Economist*, the Soho Theatre and *Litro* magazine, and was a Vice President of the Hay Festival. He’s written on books, film, theatre and politics for the *New Statesman*, *Guardian*, *Daily Telegraph* and *Indian Quarterly*.

**Most memorable literary festival moment**: “As a young unknown at the Hay Festival in 2002 I was tapped on the shoulder and invited to dinner with Maya Angelou. Fortified by post-prandials I serenaded her with Cole Porter’s *You Do Something To Me.”*

Alex Hippisley-Cox is Head of PR and Communications for the Lockdown LitFest. She has over 30 years’ experience in the publishing and book world, and runs her own independent PR company. She currently also holds roles as Head of UK PR for the Frankf… — **Alex Hippisley-Cox** is Head of PR and Communications for the Lockdown LitFest. She has over 30 years’ experience in the publishing and book world, and runs her own independent PR company. She currently also holds roles as Head of UK PR for the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Daily Mail Chalke Valley History Festival, and Bitter Lemon Press.

**Most memorable literary festival moment**: Chalke Valley History Festival 2018, sitting in the big top bar outside in the warm, summer evening, watching living historians dressed as Vikings dancing with others dressed in full Napoleonic uniform at the Saturday night party, a pint in their hands, to the sound of the D-Day Darlings singing live.

Since completing her MA in Creative Writing, Megan Thomas has been working on settling into a career in books. This has included writing book reviews for Buzz Magazine, volunteering at book festivals, starting a literary-themed blog (@have_you_read_… — Since completing her MA in Creative Writing, **Megan Thomas** has been working on settling into a career in books. This has included writing book reviews for *Buzz Magazine*, volunteering at book festivals, starting a literary-themed blog (@have_you_read_this), completing a PR internship with FMcM Associates and, of course, working across social media on the Lockdown LitFest team.
**Most memorable literary festival experience**: I went to a few events at the Edinburgh International Book Festival last year (2019) and it was just the most wonderful week. It was uncharacteristically sunny, and I met Neil Patrick Harris in the line for a Fringe show, so I'm basically famous now.

Having discovered, at the age of three, that books held the secret to entering far more interesting worlds than she currently occupied, Daisy Line wanted nothing more than to be surrounded by them and the people that created them. Fast forward (quit… — Having discovered, at the age of three, that books held the secret to entering far more interesting worlds than she currently occupied, **Daisy Line** wanted nothing more than to be surrounded by them and the people that created them. Fast forward (quite a few years) and she has achieved that ambition by being a regular contributor to The Emirates Literature Festival and the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair in several guises. She resides in the UAE with her husband, several ducks, chickens, dogs and cats, lamenting she is not allowed a camel but consoling herself by writing crime short stories and novels.

**Most memorable literary festival moment**: this has to be when Peter James and I simultaneously signed each other’s books to one another. He gifted his to me, and I gifted mine to him…

Grace Alexander is an English Literature graduate from Cardiff University, recently returning from a travelling trip around India and South America. She is currently working as a content and social media creative for Lockdown Lit Fest and Big Book W… — **Grace Alexander** is an English Literature graduate from Cardiff University, recently returning from a travelling trip around India and South America. She is currently working as a content and social media creative for Lockdown Lit Fest and Big Book Weekend.

**Most memorable literary festival moment**: I was meant to be going to my first ever literary festival last year, which I was super excited about, BUT my boyfriend decided to pick that weekend to propose to me. So, I missed the festival and it’s still on my bucket list to go to one that isn’t a virtual one!

**Zoe Crowe** finished her GCSEs remotely and is looking forward to beginning Sixth Form — ideally in person. For A Levels she will study English, Politics and Classical Civilisation. She’s an avid reader who began *Infinite Jest* on a dare from her dad when she was 13.

**Most memorable literary festival moment**: Well, my parents met at Hay-on-Wye so there’s that. But more individually, I enjoyed hearing Ben Moor read *More Trees To Climb* at the Port Eliot Literary Festival.

Having studied Music and Sound Technology for over 7 years and producing music and audio artefacts on the side, Robert Simcox is working on his career in the sound/audio industry. Robert is the sound engineer and audio editor for Lockdown Lit Fest, … — Having studied Music and Sound Technology for over 7 years and producing music and audio artefacts on the side, **Robert Simcox** is working on his career in the sound/audio industry. Robert is the sound engineer and audio editor for Lockdown Lit Fest, using his knowledge and experience to ensure all the audio is as smooth as possible for the audience's ears.
**Most memorable literary festival experience:** I saw Peter James do an author talk on his then latest book in the Roy Grace crime series (always a good read) and found the stories on his research with various police departments really interesting. Just goes to show the dedication authors put into their work.

If your pockets are deeper, you might be interested in joining us as an angel, or high-level patron. This is a great way to support us and the creators of the rich cultural life that keeps us all going in these times. We’re able to offer a range of benefits to applaud and recognise your kindness, and we would love to hear from you directly at info@lockdownlitfest.com

Who are we?

Contact us for more information