This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
November is always an exciting month for writers and not just because there are lots of lovely festive books being released. November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in which writers all over the world set themselves the admirable goal of writing a first draft in a month. With days packed full of frantic writing, motivational tweets and coffee shop meet-ups, writers are busy-bees. But amongst all the madness there are some killer events. So whether you fancy going to a literary festival, listening to a talk by a fabulous author, or if you simply want to get the party started, there is something for you in November.
3 November – What if everything we know about Jane Austen is wrong? That’s what Helena Kelly will be discussing alongside her debut Jane Austen, the Secret Radical in Bath. This is a free event with complimentary wine. Reservation details are here.
4-27 November – The Richmond Upon Thames Literature Festival is bursting at the seams with books, talks and workshops. If you couldn’t make it to Bath for Helena’s revelations on Jane Austen, have no fear, she’ll be talking here too.
08 November – Join Cecelia Ahern in London where she will be talking about her experiences as a writer and her new book Lyrebird (out 3 November). Tickets are £15.
09 November – If you have a soft spot for literary bad boys then you don’t want to miss this month’s The Books That Built Me literary salon event in London. Samantha Ellis, author of How to be a Heroine and Helen Brocklebank, aka blogger Mrs Trefusis, will be debating whether Rupert Campbell-Black is wrong but ‘wromantic’ and whether Daniel Cleaver is sexier than Mark Darcy. Tickets are £30, early booking is advised.
10-13 November – The Dublin Book Festival has some fantastic events including a talk by six leading literary agents and publishers on creating the perfect pitch and a literary walking tour.
10 November – Calling all historical fiction lovers! This is a must-go-to event. Headline’s H for History evening features six of their best historical fiction authors. Tickets are £10 and include two drinks, nibbles and a goody bag containing THREE early copies of upcoming novels!
10 November – Join Karen Joy Fowler, author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, in Brighton. Listen to a reading and a talk in the Sallis Benney theatre. There will be Q&A so have your questions ready! This is a free event, register here.
11-13 November – The theme of this year’s Dulwich Literary Festival is Anthony Trollope’s novel The Way We Live Now. Joanna Trollope will be giving a talk on the role of women and ‘how they live now’, comparing it to Anthony’s novel.
12 November – Are you thinking of starting a blog or vlog? Or maybe you already have but want to take it to the next level? If so, this year’s Blogfest might be just what you need. It is jam packed with great events including: Women online, So you want to be a vlogger? and From blog to business. The list goes on. Tickets are £95.
13 November – An event not to be missed by fans of Miranda Dickinson. That’s right, you guessed it, it’s another Write Foxy! Writers' Inspiration Day! Guest speakers confirmed include Miranda, Julie Cohen and Kate Harrison. You can find more details here. Tickets are £95 and includes lunch.
14-19 November – Arvon is running a week-long course on Starting to Write Fiction in Totleigh Barton. One of the course tutors is Emylia Hall, author of The Book of Summers. Tickets are £700-£750 including full board accommodation (grants are available) and there are only a few spaces left!
15 November – Diversity in publishing is a hot topic right now. If you want to join the debate you might be interested in attending Building Inclusivity in Publishing, a full-day conference hosted by The Publishers Association and The London Book Fair. Tickets are £199.
16 November – Now it’s time for one of the highlights of the year in the world of romantic fiction. It’s the RNA Winter Party. Come and join romantic novelists, publishers and literary agents in London and celebrate romantic fiction. Tickets are £35 for members and £40 for non-members and must be purchased in advance.
19 November – If you dream about being a full-time writer but don’t know where to start, then maybe consider going along to How to Make a Living (and a Life) from Writing. This one-day London workshop is presented by Joanna Penn, bestselling author and founder of TheCreativePenn.com, and Orna Ross, bestselling author and founder/Director of the Alliance of Independent Authors. Tickets are £125.
19 November – Are you the shy one at a party? Well then maybe this Silent Reading Party in Ipswich will be just right for you. Tickets are £2. You get a free drink, a cake and the chance to browse Waterstone’s books after hours in what is sure to be ‘the most enjoyable silent night in town’.
21-27 November – Book Week Scotland is going to be a real celebration of books and reading, bringing together libraries, booksellers, authors and readers of all ages. Look out for Jill Mansell and Jodi Picoult who are hosting several events throughout the week.
26 November – Join Chrissie Manby in a truly unique event in Torquay. Chrissie’s latest novel, A Fairy Tale for Christmas (out 3 November) tells the story of the members of Newbay Theatre Society. Come and see the Little Theatre and meet the Toads amateur dramatic society who helped Chrissie research her novel. Chrissie and the group will be sharing the inside story! Tickets are £7.
28-30 November – To finish the month in style, how about spending an evening with Jodi Picoult? Tickets are £20 and include a hardback copy of Jodi’s latest novel Small Great Things (out 22 November). You have several dates and locations to choose from: Reading, 28 November; London, 29 November; Guildford, 29 November; Hastings, 30 November.
Have fun and let us know what you think of any events you attend! If there are any other bookish events coming up this month or the next, please comment below or tweet me on @WRITERachael.
Compiled by Rachael Featherstone