This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
By Zarina de Ruiter
Struggling to decide what books to deplete from your local shop next, or perhaps how to continue the novel you've been writing yourself? Meeting fabulous authors and publishing people can help you find the inspiration you've been looking for and we've got you covered with this list of literary events for women's fiction readers and writers taking place around the UK in September and October.
11 – 15 September – This year's Chiswick Book Festival looks to be a cracker with a host of wonderful authors in attendance, such as Alice Peterson, Veronica Henry and Bryony Gordon, and events varying from Women at War and a special Ebook and Self-Publishing Panel. Day passes are £10 each for Saturday and Sunday, though some events may be charged extra.
14 September – Meet three of Avon's best-selling authors – Kerrelyn Sparks, Cathy Maxwell and Lorraine Heath – at the Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport at 4pm for a chat and Q&A. The event is free, just email sparkskerrelyn@yahoo.com to confirm attendance.
17 September – At the All About You book event in central London you can join authors Jane Green, Lucy Diamond and Karen Swann alongside Pan Macmillan editor Caroline Hogg for a panel discussion about their novels and the industry. This will be followed by a mingle with drinks and a book signing, and all attendees will get a fabulous goody bag of treats. Best of all, it is completely free! 
17 September – The Girly Book Club in London will be discussing The House we Grew Up In at their next meet-up with the book's author, Lisa Jewell. Tickets are £7.50.
24 September – Sue Monk Kidd, author of The Secret Life of Bees and The Invention of Wings, will be in conversation with Woman & Home Editor Fanny Blake at Waterstones Piccadilly. Tickets are £5/£3 and include a glass of wine or a soft drink.
29 September – 5 October – Henley Literary Festival has so many brilliant events scheduled, that you'd definitely want to go for the entire week! Highlights include: Jojo Moyes and Daisy Goodwin on 29 September, Hannah Beckerman joining fellow authors for a debut panel on 1 October, Book Club Friday with three wonderful authors, including Novelicious' very own Cesca Major on 3 October, Jenny Colgan, Lisa Jewell and Rowan Coleman, also on the 3rd, and David Nicholls on 5 October.
9 – 11 October – Books Are My Bag is this year taking place from Super Thursday (the busiest day in the publishing calendar) until the following Saturday. The campaign aims to get more people to buy books in their local shops and will be accompanied by a host of bookish events and author attendances. Check in with your local shop to see how they are celebrating this year.
12 – 19 October – One to book time off work for is the Guildford Book Festival. We want to hit up ALL of the events (especially the ones that include cake and cocktails) and are particularly excited about Afternoon Tea with Santa Montefiore on 14 October, Girls' Night Out with Cathy Kelly and Freya North on 15 October, Shopaholic-writer Sophie Kinsella on the same day, Coffee, Cake & Romance with Judy Astley, Chrissie Manby, Carole Matthews and Sue Moorcroft on 16 October and a Cocktail Evening with Paige Toon and Ali Harris, also on the 16th.
23 October – Join actor and author Sheila Hancock at the Bloomsbury Institute as she discusses her debut novel, Miss Carter's War, with her friend and fellow author Kate Mosse. Tickets are £25 including a copy of the book, or £10 without.
Know of more upcoming bookish fun times? Drop a line in the comments to let us know!