Author visits to Wiltshire Libraries
During 2008 we were pleased to welcome a range of authors to Wiltshire Libraries as part of our celebrations for the National Year of Reading.
Across the county audiences met:
- Chris Ryan
- Professor Richard Holmes
- Alison Weir
- Jenni Mills (our partnered author for NYR)
- Nicola Cornick (our partnered author for NYR)
- Catrin Collier
- Anna Jacobs
- Deborah Moggach
- Katie Fforde
- Jeremy Strong
- Geraldine McCaughrean
- Andrew Taylor
- Piers Bizony
- Debby Holt
- Malcolm Rose
- Judy Jones
- Charlotte Popescu
- Deborah Gaye
- Mary Turner
- Julia McCutchen
- Brenda Williams
- MP Robertson, Sophie Williams, Carol Sinclair, Linda Jennings, Jeremy Strong
On 17th November 2008 at the Athenaeum, Warminster, in association with Random House and the Wellwisher Bookshop. An audience of around 200 people heard Chris describe the process of being recruited to the SAS, and saw a demonstration of the kit you would be expected to wear once on operations. Chris took questions, spoke of his time in Iraq and being stranded in the desert for eight days, and signed books after the session.
On 23rd July 2008 (Warminster Library) and 27th August 2008 (Melksham Library). Professor Holmes’ engaging style befitted this discussion of his latest book, Fatal Avenue, a guide to the historical battlefields of northern France. Supremely knowledgeable about his subject, Richard Holmes talked about places to visit, and took a number of questions from the audience before signing copies of his books. Across the two events almost 150 people attended.
On 14th August 2008 (Bradford on Avon Library). Alison Weir delivered a talk to mark the publication of her novel Katherine Swynford: the story of John of Gaunt and his scandalous Duchess. The wealth of research impressed an audience of 75+, whilst the empathy and sympathy for her characters was interesting to see. Alison answered a number of questions on her approach to research, and signed copies of her books.
Jenni Mills (our partnered author for NYR)
On 7th October 2008 at Malmesbury Library, 35 people heard local author Jenni Mills discuss her popular novel Crow Stone. Having worked for the BBC on shows such as Woman’s Hour as well as turning her hand now to fiction, Jenni provided an interesting talk about her work and signed copies of her books.
Nicola Cornick (our partnered author for NYR)
Local Mills and Boon author Nicola Cornick held a series of writers workshops in some of our smaller libraries during the Autumn of 2008. At Pewsey and Mere audiences understood about the approach to getting published, as well as the research necessary to write an accurate historical novel.
On July 26th 2008 Catrin Collier visited Malmesbury Library and Chippenham Library to talk to readers about the research into her own family history which led to the novel One Last Summer. Catrin’s story about her own grandmother and relatives in Europe during the second world war featured an escape from the Nazi’s, the fate of Poland, and the concentration camps. Beautifully illustrated with real photographs and images of documents, this was a fascinating talk.
Visiting Trowbridge and Amesbury Libraries during July, and Purton Library in September, author Anna Jacobs came to talk about her passion for writing, which has led to her having published over 40 books and which sees her regularly feature in the top 20 authors loaned from public libraries. Now basing herself in Wiltshire for some of the year, and returning to her adopted home in Australia for some winter warmth, Anna spoke about her latest book Freedom’s Land, inspiring some in the audience to try her novels for the first time.
Deborah Moggach visited to Devizes Library on 18th June 2008 to discuss her new book In The Dark. Almost 50 people turned out to be treated to an evening of confidences and anecdotes about Deborah’s life and approach to her work, as well as her love of language. Local staff rounded the evening off with home made cake and a book signing.
In Calne on 27th February 2008 almost 70 people turned out to hear Katie Fforde and to engage in a question and answer session about her work. Books were available for sale and signing at the event.
During the summer holidays in 2008 Jeremy Strong visited libraries in Marlborough, Tidworth and Wilton, the latter as the library service’s contribution to Wilton Carnival. Over 200 children enjoyed the sessions with this popular children’s author, and the chance to get books personally signed by him.
As part of Bradford on Avon festival in September 2008, award winning children’s author Geraldine McCaughrean made a special visit to the library to discuss The Kite Rider, which had also been the festival book.
On March 11th 2008 award winning crime writer Andrew Taylor talked about his craft, and how he produces his novels to an audience at Malmesbury Library. From Andrew’s point of view he confesses that quite often he has no idea what is going to happen in his books, least of all “who dunnit”, and can often end a chapter with a twist, with no idea where it will go in the next chapter. So that’s a bit different from school English lessons where they encourage you to plan your work before starting!
The author of How to build your own spaceship talked to an audience at Bradford on Avon Library on 14th May 2008.
Popular author of “chick lit” books such as The ex-wife’s survival guide visited Warminster Library on 22nd May 2008 and spoke to an audience of 20+ about her writing and some of her novels.
Former Open University chemistry lecturer and now author of the popular forensics-based teenage series Traces, Malcolm Rose, visited several locations in Wiltshire on 28th May 2008. At Erlestoke Prison library he spoke to a rapt group of men about writing, how he chooses his ideas, and answered some wide ranging questions, such as whether you update your books once science moves on, and how you secure film rights. At Salisbury Library and Bradford on Avon Library he treated young audiences to a performance which demonstrated just how much evidences – traces – you leave around you without even realising it! Books were signed after the events.
Judy Jones is the local author of popular books on walks in North Wiltshire, often with special reference to where you can take your canine friends! She visited Malmesbury Library on 6th March 2008 and Wootton Bassett Library on 27th June 2008.
More than 35 people attended Hen-mania at Devizes Library on 26th June 2008. Perhaps with a vision of the credit crunch before them, the audience were interested in the aspects of keeping chickens under discussion, and of Charlotte Popescu’s books on keeping chickens.
Publisher Deborah visited Warminster Library on 26th June 2008 to speak to a keen audience about writing, and how to get your work published.
Author of The woman’s century: a celebration of changing roles, Mary Turner visited Warminster Library on 5th November 2008 as part of Warminster Festival.
A sell out workshop at Warminster Library on 6th November 2008 as part of Warminster Festival saw Julia McCutchen talk to the audience about getting work pubished.
Children’s author Brenda Williams visited the newly refurbished Melksham Library on 29th March 2008. Brenda has written lots of non fiction books for children, including books about the Victorians, and Tudor explorers.
MP Robertson, Sophie Williams, Carol Sinclair, Linda Jennings, Jeremy Strong
A “Desert extravaganza” was enjoyed at Bradford on Avon library on 14th September 2008 as part of Bradford Festival. As well as the opportunity too meet a range of children’s authors and illustrators, the car park was transformed into a sandy oasis, and even camels could be seen trying to enter the library!
Contact Details (LiveLink)
Multiple Contacts:
eMail: libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01225 713727
Out of hours:
Fax:
Postal Address:
Wiltshire Libraries & Heritage HQ
Bythesea
Road
County Hall
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14
8BS
In Person:
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Last updated: 27 May 2010
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