Tickets for the Bookworm's 2012 International Literary Festival are now on sale to the general public. Although the festival doesn't kick off until mid-March, popular events tend to sell out quickly--and indeed a few already have. Tickets are available exclusively at the Bookworm from 9am to 9pm. Unfortunately, tickets can't be reserved ahead of time, you'll just have to make your way to the Bookworm. All purchases have to be made in person. Check the literary event festival schedule here for program details. Tickets are RMB65/80/100/180 and include a free drink.

Note: Julia Lovell's sold-out Opium Wars has been cancelled. Ticket holders can either attend a live chat on March 4, use their tickets to attend a new event or receive a full refund.

Highlights of BILF 2012

Super Sad True Love Story: Gary Shteyngart's dystopian love story set in a future that doesn't look very different from our own. The Economist's Gady Epstein chats with Shteyngart about his novel's hilarious, yet slightly scary premise. This event will kick off the festival, so ticket price (RMB180) includes a special opening night cocktail party. SOLD OUT

Tales from the Countryside: Journalist Liang Hong shares stories of the Chinese countryside—and of the massive migration of Chinese youth out of small villages. What will be the future of the rural way of life? Moderated by Qin Liwen of International Crisis Group. RMB65. SOLD OUT

Tiger Head, Snake Tails: Will China overtake America? Or is it a bubble-era Japan waiting to happen? Historian and journalist Jonathan Fenby tackles this complex issue with thought and nuance. RMB80 SOLD OUT

The Economist Panel: The correspondents for business and politics rag The Economist discuss their work covering the Middle Kingdom. RMB100. SOLD OUT

Far to Go: Winner of the 2011 Canadian Jewish Book Award. Far to Go is a gripping drama set in a Jewish community in Prague during the dark days of WWII. 65 RMB.

Friendly Fire: Israeli writer A.B. Yehoshua explores modern Israel and the Jewish national identity with his latest work Friendly Fire. Moderated by Amos Nadai, the Israeli Ambassador to China. 80 RMB.

Beijing Improv: The spontaneously funny men and women of the Beijing Improv put on a special appearance at the Bookworm. RMB50. SOLD OUT

Unnatural Selection: 160 million females are missing in Asia. Science magazine correspondent Mara Hvistendahl explores “a world full of men” and the consequences of Asia’s dangerously skewed gender balance. RMB80. SOLD OUT

The Death of Mao and the Birth of a New China: The "earthshaking" and tumultuous times of China in 1976. The Tangshan earthquake hits Beijing, the Communist Party is divided after Mao's death and the Gang of Four are still in play. Author James Palmer makes sense of these events in his non-fiction work The Death of Mao. RMB65 SOLD OUT

Creative Fiction with Justin Hill: A workshop with award-winning writer Justin Hill that aims to help you turn out a well-realized and engaging story. RMB280 SOLD OUT

The Art of Translation: Translators Julia Lovell and Ouyang Yu discuss the pitfalls of literary translations with Eric Abrahamsen of Paper Republic. RMB65

Wolves Unleashed: How to Train Wolves for Film: Animal trainer and "wolf whisperer" Andrew Simpson talks about working with wolves on the set of the upcoming film Wolf Totem, adapted from Jiang Rong's novel of the same name. RMB65.

Based on a True Story: Historical Fiction: A discussion on where the line between "truth" and "fiction" is drawn in stories "inspired by real events". RMB65.

Spicy, Sweet, Bitter, Salty, Sour: A panel of Beijing-based food writers discuss Chinese cuisine--and share top tips for crafting your own Chinese dishes. RMB65.

Watch the Throne: Shieldwall: England before it was, well, England. It's AD1016 and a dying King's realm is being torn asunder by internal fighting as well as the Viking menace. Join author Justin Hill as he discusses his historical fiction Shieldwall. RMB65.

Footnotes: Ciorras: Join in the craic with a spirited evening of Irish music and dancing. Music provided by Irish band Ciorras, a trad band with a fresh, innovative sound. RMB50.

China in Ten Words: Acclaimed Chinese author Yu Hua (most famously of To Live) discusses his caustic new work, which purports to sum up the complex Chinese nation in ten words. RMB100. BOTH EVENTS SOLD OUT

Footnotes: Electric Shadows: A screening of short films submitted by filmmakers all over the globe specially for BILF 2012. Curated by Electric Shadows. RMB50.

The Art of Translation: Translators Julia Lovell (Lu Xun, Yan Lianke) and Ouyang Yu (Hanif Kureishi, Anna Enquist) discuss the art of translation with Paper Republic's Eric Abrahamsen. RMB65.

The Opium War: Drugs, Dreams and the Making of China: Julia Lovell's book on the impact of the Opium War on Chinese self-image and how the struggle and naked opportunism of the Opium War affects Chinese foreign policy to this day. RMB80. SOLD OUT

Memoir with Tim Clare: Turn your life into a story on the page--noted storyteller Tim Clare shows (and tells) you how. RMB280. SOLD OUT

Red Rock: Rock 'n Roll in China: The unique beast that is Chinese rock 'n roll. Jonathan Campbell discusses Red Rock with music critic Hao Fang. Moderated by Nathaniel Davis of Split Works and JUE. RMB80.

Comics with Sally Kindberg: A illustrator who has worked for The Guardian shows you the basics of creating comics, from creating speech bubbles and frames to visual puns. It's a workshop, so a starter frame will be provided. RMB 280.

SLAM!: Slam Poetry. Don't diss it before you've heard it from two masters of performance poetry: Tim Clare and Luka Lesson. Takes place at 2 Kolegas as part of the JUE Festival. RMB100.

Walking Tour: Literary Beijing: The Bookworm has arranged a trip through the winding hutongs of Beijing where celebrated Chinese authors wrote hard and played hard. 80 RMB. SOLD OUT

Midnight in Peking: The true story of a shocking murder of an young Englishwoman in Beijing on the eve of WWII. Over 70 years later, Shanghai-based writer Paul French unofficially reopened the investigation. RMB100. SOLD OUT

Putong Hua: Animal Encounters: A live event featuring the best story-tellers of Beijing and beyond. Also featured are the talents of Tim Clare, Kjersti Skomsvold and Chris Womersley. RMB50

Wolves, Rabbits and Dragons: Children’s author Emily Gravett heads up a special story-time event in Colibri Café. Includes festive cupcake. RMB50. SOLD OUT

Committing Journalism: This recurring event sells out quickly--buy tickets fast if you are set on attending. The Guardian's Tania Branigan, Caixin's Cao Haili, PRI's The World's Mary Kay Magistad and The New Yorker's Evan Osnos swap tales and discuss the secrets of reporting from China. SOLD OUT

Tibet: The Harmonious Land?: A native of Sichuan speaks on his novels, which dive into the tangled mess between Tibetans, Han migrants and foreign missionaries. In Chinese with English translation. RMB65.