With the launch of EAIFL 2010 earlier this week, we are embarking on a totally new chapter of the Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature, so it feels very apt that I am writing my first EAIFL blog.

It is incredibly thrilling to think that in a little over 8 months, the magic of EAIFL will return to the InterContinental Hotel at Dubai Festival City. With 33 remarkable international authors already confirmed to take part in next year's Festival, EAIFL 2010 already promises to be another captivating bestseller. Next year's Festival will take place over 4 days from Wednesday 10^th to Saturday 13^th March and I urge you to mark the dates in your calendars as soon as possible!

The idea of starting this EAIFL blog really appealed to me as its a very direct and immediate way to communicate with a growing band of EAIFL supporters. In addition to providing regular updates on the Festival, I hope to be able to post press articles that interest me and which I hope you will be interested in too. Please click here to read some of the press coverage from this week's launch of EAIFL 2010 . I also plan to invite some of the many people involved in EAIFL 2010 to post here - everyone from authors to school children and teachers involved in the Festival Fringe and Education Day. So please keep returning to this blog on a regular basis.'