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
Through our posts featuring photographic evidence of proud, beaming authors signing copies of their books (while more often than not enjoying a lot of free-flowing wine and very delicious nibbles), we've virtually taken you lovely lot with us to book launches, intimate dinners, literary festivals and a host of other inspiring events.
If our reports have made you excited about taking a trip to your local bookshop to meet the writer you adore, or perhaps to venture to a festival further afield, but you're unsure how to go about it, then look no further. To get you started, we've listed some exciting bookish events that are taking place over the next few weeks, which you’re invited to!
Just think of us as your own personal women's fiction diary. And, you know, save us some of those nibbles.
21 May – Trisha Ashley will be meeting readers for a chat and coffee at the cafe in Waterstones Piccadilly from noon to 2pm. Just drop her a line on Twitter (@trishaashley) if you're planning to attend, so she has an idea of numbers.
22 May – Want to attend a real book launch? Martine Bailey's An Appetite for Violets will be officially launched at Book and Kitchen in London next Thursday. To join in with the fun, RSVP here. 
24 May – Next week sees the release of Paige Toon's highly-anticipated new novel Thirteen Weddings and she'll be at Waterstones Arndale Centre in Manchester to sign copies. You can bring any of your books to be signed, but please do buy at least one from the store for yourself or a friend as well.
2 June – Your First Novel, hosted by the Baileys Women's Prize and Grazia magazine at Southbank Centre in London, will offer an evening of invaluable advice for first-time novelists from some of the best names in the publishing business. Bestselling novelist Sarah Waters will be on the panel as will Curtis Brown literary agent Felicity Blunt and Picador editor Charlotte Mendelson. Kate Mosse will chair. Tickets are £10.
3 June – This event, held at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, sees the six shortlisted Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction 2014 authors reading and discussing their work. Tickets are £10.
4 June – Mingle with Milly Johnson at the Doncaster Lit Festival, where she will be talking about her life from freelance greeting card writer to full-time novelist. Tickets are £8 and include a drink and nibbles.
5 June – Isabel Wolff and Dinah Jeffries will be reading from their latest novels – Ghostwritten and The Separation respectively – at Waterstones in Richmond, and discussing the challenges and differences of setting a novel in the Far East. Tickets are £3 and available from the shop.
9 June – The Ickenham Festival is organising a proper girls' night out with four female writing superstars: Jenny Colgan, Lisa Jewell, Rowan Coleman and Alex Marwood. Tickets are £7 (which includes a free paperback from a choice of four) and are available from Ickenham Library.
12 June – Join Holly Smale and Sally Green as they talk about their books and influences, answering your questions and signing books at Waterstones Liverpool One. Tickets are £2.
13 June – Double Man Booker winner Hilary Mantel will formally cut the ribbon when Foyles opens the doors of its new flagship store at 107 Charing Cross Road, which will kick off a whole host of events. This opening ceremony is free and starts at 6:30pm, but be sure to check ticket prices for specific celebratory author talks and events.
Know of more upcoming bookish fun times? Drop a line in the comments to let us know!