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Waterstones is to host an exclusive online signing with Kazuo Ishiguro, the first event for the author's forthcoming novel Klara and the Sun (Faber).
On 1st March, the eve of its publication, 100 ticket-holders will have the opportunity to meet the author via Zoom and have their book dedicated, one-on-one. They will also hear Ishiguro reading an extract from the book. Tickets, including a copy of the book, will go on sale at 10 a.m. on 20th January.
Sandra Taylor, head of communications at Waterstones, said: "On the eve of Klara and the Sun’s publication, we’re looking forward to offering customers this unique opportunity to virtually meet Kazuo Ishiguro from the comfort of their homes, have their copy signed and dedicated, and hear a special reading from his brilliant new novel."
Rachel Alexander, communications director at Faber, said: "We are excited to be working with Waterstones on this special signing, the first of its kind for Ishiguro, Faber and Waterstones, and in keeping with the themes of the novel. This will be the first of a number of high-profile events which we will be announcing over the next month. We are delighted to be working with a range of partners, including Waterstones and Guardian Live."
A second event will include an in-conversation event with global platform Guardian Live, on publication day (2nd March), with critic Alex Clark. Ginny Hooker, senior programmer at Guardian Live, added: "We are excited to be hosting the first global in-conversation with Kazuo Ishiguro for his much anticipated new novel. We've had huge demand for tickets already and it's been one of our fastest-selling online events so far. He will be talking to critic Alex Clark, the audience will have the chance to ask their own questions and we'll have a few extra surprise elements on the night, too."
Commenting on the events, Ishiguro recorded an audio message exclusively for Waterstones, which is available here.
Describing the novel, the publisher said: "The novel tells the story of Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, who, from her place in the store, watches carefully the behaviour of those who come in to browse, and of those who pass in the street outside. She remains hopeful a customer will soon choose her, but when the possibility emerges that her circumstances may change for ever, Klara is warned not to invest too much in the promises of humans."
Faber will release two special editions of the novel, tailored for Waterstones and for independent bookshops. Billed as a "global event", the novel will be Ishiguro's first since he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2017.