To celebrate World Book Night the second Letters Live event will take place on 23 April at London's Southbank Centre.

Inspired by To the Letter by Simon Garfield and Letters of Note by Shaun Usher, Letters Live is a dynamic performance event that celebrates the enduring power of literary correspondence. The event is curated and organised by publishers Canongate and we will receive all profits to help continue our work on World Book Night and our other vital programmes.

From Virginia Woolf's heart-breaking suicide letter to the recipe for drop scones sent by Queen Elizabeth II to President Eisenhower; from the first recorded use of the expression 'OMG' in a letter to Winston Churchill to Gandhi's appeal to Hitler for calm; and from Iggy Pop's beautiful letter of advice sent to a troubled young fan to a remarkable job application from Leonardo da Vinci, Letters Live captures the humour, seriousness, sadness and brilliance that make up all of our lives.

The diverse selection of memorable letters will be read by an impressive line-up of actors, musicians and writers including Caitlin Moran, James Rhodes, Matt Berry, Kerry Fox and Juliet Stevenson, with more to be confirmed.

Get involved

Purchase your tickets today.

Everyone who signs up to be a World Book Night Community Book Giver by 31 March will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three pairs of tickets to the event. Register today and read our prize draw terms and conditions.

Read about the first Letters Live event which took place in December 2013 and featured performances from Benedict Cumberbatch, Gillian Anderson and Neil Gaiman.