PANEL | Making Magic for Children

Speakers: Wesley King, Erica Lyons and Rashmi Sirdeshpande

Moderator: Daniela Alam

Date: March 2, Mon

Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Venue: The Executive Centre - Two Chinachem Central

Address: Level 7, 10-12 & 19, Two Chinachem Central, No.26, Des Voeux Road, Central

Price: HKD228

Language: English

Format: Panel

Description:

What does it take to create children’s books that resonate in today’s global, fast-changing landscape? Join bestselling author Wesley King, award-winning writer Rashmi Sirdeshpande, and Hong Kong–based author Erica Lyons for an industry-focused conversation on contemporary children’s publishing. Spanning picture books, middle-grade fiction, and nonfiction, the panel examines how creators balance literary ambition with accessibility, address complex themes with sensitivity, and build stories that travel across cultures. Lyons brings insights from historical fiction and culturally grounded storytelling, while King and Sirdeshpande share perspectives on audience engagement, voice, and market realities. Together, they offer a behind-the-scenes look at creative process, editorial collaboration, and the evolving expectations of young readers making this session particularly relevant for publishers, educators, librarians, and arts professionals working in children’s literature today.

About the Speaker:

Wesley King

Wesley King has received over twenty literary awards and seen his books published worldwide, optioned for film and television, and translated into numerous languages. King is best known for his collaboration with Kobe Bryant on the #1 New York Times Bestselling Wizenard Series, as well as the Edgar Award-winning OCDaniel, which was also a Bank Street Best Book of the Year. His most recent novel, Benny on the Case, was a JLG Gold Selection. He resides in Newfoundland, Canada.

Erica Lyons

Erica Lyons is a Jewish Hong Kong-based children's book author with a preference for historical fiction, lesser-known histories, and folktales. Her 2022 debut picture book, Alone Together on Dan Street, was a National Jewish Book Awards Finalist. Other titles include: Mixed-Up Mooncakes, On a Chariot of Fire, and Saliman and the Memory Stone. Lily's Hong Kong Honey Cake, her most recent title, perfectly blends her role as chair of the Hong Kong Jewish Historical Society and her love of kidlit.

Rashmi Sirdeshpande

Rashmi Sirdeshpande is an award-winning neurodivergent children's author who loves taking big ideas and making them accessible and exciting for young readers. She writes a mix of picture books, poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Her books have been published around the world and featured in a number of national and international newspapers.

*This event is presented in partnership with Croucher Science Week, a free festival exploring science and the world around us. Visit croucherscienceweek.hk to find out more.

Don’t miss our special offer: Buy 3, Get 1 Complimentary!

Purchase 3 tickets to any events under HKILF 2026 and claim a complimentary seat at one of these exciting talks at Central Library:

•⁠ 3rd March (Tue): On Muscle: The Stuff that Moves Us and Why It Matters (7:00-8:30pm)

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•⁠ ⁠5th March (Thu): Amitav Ghosh: Ghost-Eye (7:00-8:30pm)

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ABOUT HKILF

The Hong Kong International Literary Festival (HKILF) inspires the joy of reading by bringing the world’s writers and stories to Hong Kong’s diverse communities. A dynamic year-round programme and an annual festival offer dialogue, entertainment and perspective, while the Young Readers Festival (YRF) motivates students to engage with all aspects of the written word, improving communication skills, while nurturing the art of writing and storytelling.

The annual festival features established and emerging writers from around the world, alongside local literary talents, in a programme that includes panel discussions, book talks, readings, workshops, walks, school programmes, performances, and more.

We are a registered charity non-profit organisation dedicated to bringing the best in the literary arts to Hong Kong. To find more, please visit our official website: https://www.festival.org.hk.

Please note that:

*We are unable to process refunds, please consider your ticket purchase a donation to the festival.

*Photos and videos of participants may be taken during the activities,which may be used by the organiser and the major sponsor for educational and promotional purposes in any way deemed appropriate, including disseminationthrough printed and online channels. Participation in the programme will constitute the participants’ consent to the above arrangement.

*The views and opinions expressed by the speakers do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Hong Kong International Literary Festival. HKILF disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information shared by the speakers.

*If the Black Rainstorm Warning or the Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 or above is in force 3 hours before the start time of an event, the event will be cancelled and participants will receive a refund. If the Red or Yellow Rainstorm Warning or the Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 3 is in effect, the event will be held as scheduled.

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