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
Would you like to meet that author whose work always makes you gush extensively? Or are you a writer yourself who’d like to attend a workshop on how to get published? Look no further! We've compiled another handy list for you guys with the bookish highlights of the upcoming month.
Oh, and if you are daunted by the prospect of meeting your favourite author, let us assure you that there is no need. Other than the fact that novelists can work in their pajamas (we're very jealous) and have storytelling superpowers, they're completely normal and incredibly lovely people. After all, if they were grumpy and anti-social, they'd be hiding in a remote cabin in the woods, rather than swapping their comfy loungewear for sensible clothes to venture out into the world to meet their readers.
So have a look at our round-up of bookish fun happening in June and July and head out to meet the wonderful people who have written some of your favourite novels!
18 June – Bestselling authors Ali Harris, Milly Johnson and Paige Toon are all part of Books and the City's 'Girls on Tour' event at Waterstones Birmingham. Tickets are £8/£6 and include a goody bag, cake and fizz. Bargain.
19 June – Were you gripped by ITV's compelling crime show The Ice Cream Girls? The popular drama is based on a bestseller of the same name by British writer Dorothy Koomson. The author will be discussing her latest novel, The Flavours of Love, at Rainham Library in Kent. Tickets are £5/£6.
20 June – Head on over to the Mapplewell Village Hall where Milly Johnson will officially launch her latest novel The Teashop on the Corner. You can join the launch party fun for £9, which includes a goody bag, buffet, raffle and lots of cake. We're hungry already!
23 June – Fashion writer and publisher Maggie Semple OBE will be in conversation with The Island author Victoria Hislop at the super fancy Ivy restaurant in London! Tickets are £50 and include drinks, canapés and a raffle ticket.
24 June – Foyles on Charing Cross Road plays host to a discussion panel with debut novelists Anna Freeman, Lauren Owen, Zoe Pilger, Zia Haider Rahman and Samantha Shannon as part of its Grand Opening Festival. It's free to attend, but please email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve your place.
25 June – Are you an aspiring writer? Join author Claire McGowan and agents from Johnson and Alcock, Diane Banks and David Higham Associates for a free event at the City University of London, during which they will talk about how to get published.26 June – Observer literary editor Lisa O'Kelly will chat to young female writers Zoe Pilger, Helen Walsh and Emma Jane Unsworth at Waterstones Piccadilly about their fictional anti-heroines fast becoming poster girls for the modern woman. Tickets are £5/£3.
5/6 July – Ampthill Literary Festival aims to satisfy all your bookish needs with writing workshops, poetry readings and panel discussions with literary guests. Day tickets are £15 or you can pay £5 for a single workshop.
6 July – Ways With Words is a 10-day literary festival at Dartington Hall in Devon. We're particularly intrigued by an event titled 'Why Jane Austen Loves a Sailor', during which historians Roy and Lesley Adkins will explore the world that inspired Mansfield Park. Join them for £10.
8/9/10 July – Adele Parks will talk about her life as a writer and discuss bestselling novel Spare Brides at events in South Shields, Gateshead and Stockton-on-Tees as part of her North East library tour. Tickets are £1/£3.
12/13 July – A host of well-known authors are already confirmed for the first UK Young Adult Literature Convention, including women's fiction favourites Sarra Manning and Rainbow Rowell. There will be talks, workshops, signings, a book sales area and publisher stands. YALC is part of the London Film and Comic Con, for which day tickets are £8 (standard) and £15 (early bird).
Know of any more brilliant book events coming up in the next few months? Let us knowing by leaving a comment below!