Author Talks & Panels
Friday 03 October
Friday 03 October
1PM-1.45PM - Charlotte Ashman
2PM-2.45PM - Huyen Phan
3PM-3.45PM - Steve Davies
Author Talks
An Afternoon with Artist Authors at the Alex
Three local artist-authors talk about developing their books.
Charlotte Ashman shares discoveries from her Arts Council-funded project Two Women: One Boat: 80 years. Drawing on experience of canal living and research about a 1940s female artist-owner of her vintage canal boat, Charlotte reflects on canals, oral histories and women's stories.
Huyen Phan. Award-winning Vietnamese artist Huyen, who mentors prisoners through Community Arts UK, wrote 'Mom's Away' to gently explain to young children the absence of a parent. She sees this work as 'a bridge – a way to hold onto tender conversations, hold onto love through distance, and remind families that reunion is always possible'.
Steve Davies Printmaker Steve talks about and reads from a set of short stories. After creating a series of pictures this summer showing different people viewing his art, Steve then felt that each picture suggested an inner story, each now a tale for his book.
Joining and leaving between sessions is facilitated by comfort breaks. Suitable for ages 7+. Licensed premises so no unaccompanied under 16s allowed.
Venue
Art at the Alex
Booking
Not required
Saturday 04 October
Saturday 04 October
9:45AM – 10:45AM
Author Talks
Writing a Series Without Losing the Plot
Thinking about writing a book series, but not sure where to begin, or even if it’s worth it? This talk is for you. Join author Lindsay Woodward for an entertaining session on what it really takes to write a series. You'll learn the key considerations before committing to a sequel, how to keep momentum going over multiple books, and the creative challenges unique to series writing. Lindsay will share real world lessons from her own journey, including mistakes made, lessons learned, and why she ended up writing a series she never planned. Whether you're just starting your writing journey or you’re looking to expand a standalone book, this talk will give you valuable insights, practical tips, and plenty to think about before diving into your own series.
Venue
Rugby Theatre Tea Bar
Booking
Not required
Saturday 04 October
11:30AM – 12:30PM
Author Talks
Fact, Fiction, Faction?
You have probably seen the disclaimer at the start of a film or TV series: Based on a true story. Some characters and events have been created for dramatic purposes. Have you ever wondered how writers of historical novels go about creating the past? How much research they need to do? How they balance competing viewpoints? Perhaps they offer a completely different perspective. Perhaps they play fast and loose with the facts. And how much have they imagined for dramatic purposes? You can find the answers to these and many other issues at the Fact, Fiction, Faction Forum, where local authors will describe their writing experiences and answer the questions that you want to put to them.
Booking
Not required
Venue
The Rugby Hotel
Saturday 04 October
12PM-12.45PM - Jessica Hartshorn
1PM - 1:45PM - IJE
2PM - 2:45PM - Shiam Wilcox
3PM - 3:45PM - Michael Luntley
Author Talks
An Afternoon with Artist Authors at the Alex
Four more local artist-authors talk about their books and plans for books.
Jessica Hartshorn Illustrator and author of several children’s books, including the beloved SuperPanda series, Jessica will read from her books and explain how she develops ideas. characters and illustrations.
IJE (pronounced eejay) is a multi-disciplinary artist with a sensuous, nomadic arts practice. She will read from her ‘in-plan’ book - Rhythms of Passage: Sensuous Encounters 1 and share a short film - Rhythms Of Passage: Sounds Escape 1.
Shiam Wilcox Discover the stories behind Shiam’s quirky ‘Household Gods’ book and other stories. Includes insights into Laundry Chicks, Memory Larvae and Mock Robins.
Michael Luntley Folk musician and retired academic Michael talks about his the work 'From this Ground' (seven songs plus poetry by Olga Dermott) describing the 1872 emigration of Warwickshire farm labourers to Brazil in search of a better life. With illustrations by Dee Luntley.
You can join us for all talks, or pop in for your favourite. Joining and leaving between sessions is facilitated by comfort breaks. Suitable for all ages . Licensed premises so no unaccompanied under 16s allowed.
Venue
Art at the Alex
Booking
Not required
Saturday 04 October
1PM - 2PM
Author Talks
Behind the Scenes
Two local writers – Connie Ramsay Bott and Marg Roberts share the secrets behind the inspiration and writing of their novels, from first ideas to publication.
Marg’s novel, A Time for Peace is set in Serbia in World War One. Can Stefan, a Serb soldier, and Ethel, a British nurse succeed in rescuing 30,000 army cadets by taking them out of the country in the worst Balkan winter?
Connie’s novel, Girl Without Skin, takes you to a lake in Michigan in 1965. Stories of the lives of both children and adults intertwine, through fear, tragedy, and self-discovery.
Venue
The Percival Guildhouse
Saturday 04 October
2PM - 3PM
Author Talks
The Commercial Side of Fiction
From submitting a manuscript to publication and everything in between. We will shed light on what is meant by commercial fiction, how the publishing industry works including different publishing models, IP deals, tropes etc and what it takes to get a story from idea to published book and beyond. Join three international bestselling romance writers as they talk all things publishing.
Donna Ashcroft is currently working on her sixteenth book. She writes seasonal romance novels set in warm communities where (almost) everyone gets a happy ending.
Julie Caplin, currently working on her 28th book, is a no 1 bestseller in Germany, Iceland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia with her heart-warming, travel-based romances which focus on food, friendship and love.
Bella Osborne lives in Rugby and has had sixteen novels published. Bella's stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you.
Venue
Rugby Theatre Tea Bar
Booking
Not required
Saturday 04 October
3:30PM - 4:30PM
Author Talks
Worldbuilding Across Media
Join Sunday Times-bestselling and Wodehouse Prize-shortlisted authors Chris and Jen Sugden as they talk about writing their comedy audio drama podcast VICTORIOCITY and their debut novel HIGH VAULTAGE, as well as the different writing techniques involved in creating the world of “Even Greater London” across both mediums.
Venue
The Rugby Hotel
What’s On
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