The London Book Fair is pleased to announce bestselling authors Peter James, Bi Feiyu and Patrick Ness as the three Authors of the Day for 2012.

The Author of the Day initiative showcases one author across each day of the Fair through a programme that includes seminars, discussions, book signings and photo opportunities.

April 16, 2012 – Peter James

The opening day of the Fair features bestselling crime and thriller writer, Peter James. One of the UK’s most treasured crime and thriller novelists, Peter James’ Roy Grace detective novels have sold over two million copies in the UK alone and a total of eleven million copies worldwide.

The series is now translated into 34 languages and his previous novel Dead Man’s Grip went straight into the Sunday Times hardback bestseller list at No 1.

Peter James said: "The London Book Fair is one of the most important events in the world publishing calendar. In this fast-changing world of publishing, as the digital revolution takes hold in so many new ways, the value of the LBF both as a grand and respected institution and as a forum and showcase, cannot be underestimated. I feel very honoured to have been chosen as Author of the Day, and all the more so in these very exciting times."

April 17, 2012 – Bi Feiyu

The London Book Fair Market Focus Author of the Day, supported by the British Council, will this year feature Bi Feiyu, one of the most respected authors and screenwriters in China today.

He is the recipient of several literary awards, including the Xu Lun Prize which he has won twice. He co-wrote the film Shanghai Triad, which was directed by acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou and nominated for a Golden Globe. His novel The Moon Opera was long-listed for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize in 2008, and his novel Three Sisters, an epic portrayal of life in modern China, won the 2010 Man Asian Literary Prize.

Bi Feiyu said: "I am delighted and honoured to have been chosen as one of the Authors of the Day at this year's London Book Fair. Not only am I excited to be coming to London again, but it also makes me feel that Nanjing, my home town in China, and London are not so far away after all."

April 18, 2012 – Patrick Ness

On Wednesday 18th April the spotlight will be on Award-winning author Patrick Ness, whose Chaos Walking trilogy won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Costa Children’s Book of the Year Prize, and the Booktrust Teenage Prize.

Patrick Ness said: "For a bibliophile, book fairs are like heaven's backstage. Books everywhere, book lovers everywhere, and new and exciting things on every corner. I'm delighted and honoured to be Author of the Day at The London Book Fair.”

Alistair Burtenshaw, Director of Books & Publishing at Reed Exhibitions, said: “We are delighted to announce internationally respected writers Peter James, Bi Feiyu and Patrick Ness as our Authors of the Day 2012. The Author of the Day programme has now firmly established itself as one of the key elements of LBF. We are very much looking forward to welcoming such acclaimed authors, all leading lights in their genres, to this year’s Fair.”