Announcing our new online programme

We are delighted to announce an inspiring and consoling online programme, as we respond to the present situation and hope to further engage and bring together its strong community of readers and independent trade partners, extending the mission of the trusted Faber Members programme.

Throughout our history Faber has been at the centre of a community that cares deeply about the arts and about reading and writing. It seems very natural for us to respond to this present situation through finding a new voice and by offering that community an online programme designed to console, entertain and inspire readers. Stephen Page, Chief Executive

A rich and unique weekly schedule of regular slots featuring the company’s best and beloved authors and their work and its staff will go out every day via select Faber channels (@FaberBooks) and the company’s free-to-join Faber Members programme. Spanning those areas at Faber’s heart – poetry, fiction, children’s, the non-fiction issues of the day, the arts and music – formats will include audio, visual and text.

Highlights include:

Magnetic Field Recordings

The week will begin with the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage’s reflections and reading of his Marsden poems.

Poem of the Day

Every day, Monday to Friday, readers will be treated to a video or audio recording of a Faber poet or writer reciting a poem. This week, Don Paterson, Mary Jean Chan and Sam Riviere will all be reading their work.

Faber Booktime

A Faber Children’s author will talk about and read from their books as well as set activities. Watch Lou Kuenzler and Julia Woolf on Tuesday 7 April at 2 p.m. To help with homeschooling, there are also teaching resources for key children’s titles, including books by Alex Bell, Emma Carroll and David Long available from the Faber website.

Writers in Residence

Instagram will stream live readings, talks an   d performances by writers from their homes, such as Jon Savage, Willy Vlautin, Francesca Wade and Samantha Irby.

Faber Lunchtime Shorts

Beginning this week with a little-known short story by Sebastian Barry, with gems to follow by Chris Power and Julianne Pachico.

Faber Members

Our fast-growing and popular Members programme will feature three regular newsletters every week with both exclusive content that draws together the best voices in the world of arts and literature, and a round-up of the week. Friday will include inspiring recommendations, as well as a poem of the week and tips for writers – a collaboration with the Faber Academy. There will be online events, book clubs and Q&As with authors.

Key slots also featured include Faber Books Indie Recommends, recommendations from leading independent bookshops on our Twitter channel; a weekly Faber Quiz; and Faber Radio, which includes Spotify playlists compiled by writers with a passion for music. (Max Porter on ‘niceness’ featured first, last Thursday.)