Comedian David Baddiel joins prize-winning authors for Camden School for Girls book fair

Prize-winning authors and celebrity guests turned Camden School for Girls’ annual book fair into a mini literary festival last Saturday, giving readings, offering expert advice and judging pupils’ stories.

Around 500 bookworms turned out to help raise money for the Camden School’s Community Association (CSCA), enjoying appearances from Booker shortlisted Deborah Levy, who read from her latest edition of short stories, and comedian and writer David Baddiel, who gave excerpts from his comedy thriller The Death of Eli Gold.

With a mass of brand new books donated to the school on sale for just 25 per cent of retail prices, the event raised close to £4,000.

Organiser Sheila Hayman said: “It was a fantastic turnout and the readings were all so wonderfully different.

“Jane Austen fanatics got their fill from a brilliant session with editor of the Guardian’s Book Club John Mullan, comedy actress Morwenna Banks did a stunning radio play, and we had a fascinating talk on biomimicry in architecture by Michael Pawlyn.”

Tea, cake and book readings were topped off with competitions and prizes.

A competition for the best 140 character short story tweet, judged by the celebrity panel, was won by year eight pupil Mia Gane.

It read: “To the ground he falls. People gather to look at his bloody body.

‘‘They looked up to see where he fell from. There was no ledge, only a man.”