For the fourth year running our Winter Party came to computer and phone screens across the, well, world, as we gathered to celebrate another year of books and twenty-four fabulous Authors. We fit more than ever into two very short hours with almost 100 attendees giving us a near on full house – watching on as we talked genre changes, pen-names, later life fiction, crime thrillers, writing retreats, fantasy beyond the realms and historical sagas and timeslips. Self-publishing, debuts, identity and more were picked apart in veryyy short sessions and we heard about some incredible upcoming books!
We are so very grateful to all of the Authors who gave up their time to be with us yesterday evening – and to award winning Book Blogger, Linda Hill, of Linda’s Book Bag. Linda started the panel events by interviewing four Authors who go on retreat together every year and the laughter that was crammed into that 15 minutes was incredible! Kim Nash, Sue Watson, Emma Robinson and S.E Lynes you were fabulous!
We then joined August Bloom, Becky Hunter & Katie Ellis Brown (writing together as Ellis Hunter), Bella Brightside and debut Romantasy Novelist Rachael Hunter for an in-depth discussion on the evolving landscape of fantasy and Romantasy fiction. From debut launches to collaborative worldbuilding and shifting reader trends, the discussion was brilliant, insightful and inspiring.
We then heard from M.J White leading a discussion with G.D Wright, and L.V Matthews, to begin with exploring the art of the initials! The conversation evolved to explore plot, peril and setting. Safe to say our TBR piles were groaning and this was only the third event of the night!
We took a turn to historical fiction, timeslip and sagas with Alice G May, Rachel Burton, Sarah Freethy and Rachel Canwell and heard about the inspiration behind places, plots and houses and how in-depth research can be to bring to life stories from the past – plus – girl POWER!
Whilst we had 24 Authors in the room we actually had a lot more (some in the audience!) through their pen-names. Our fifth event of the evening explored Ella Allbright and Rowan Coleman‘s pen-names and alter writing egos, and Jess Kitching’s genre switch and what’s coming up for all. A selfie with Rowan Coleman and co? Day made!
Our penultimate segment led by Emma-Claire Wilson focused on life, love and laughter beyond mid-life and what a discussion! We heard from Joanna Knowles, Harper Ford and Caroline James on writing later-life fiction that celebrates experience, resilience, and joy.
Two hours went far too quickly and we ended with a beautifully fitting panel focusing on Seasons Readings and the magic of festive fiction. Led by Emily Stone we heard from Freya North and Pernille Hughes, escaping to Scotland and Copenhagen for the last fifteen minutes of the night!
An evening of warmth, laughter and magic was just what we needed amidst a busy season. A huge thank you to everybody who came, talked, commented and shared the bookish love last night. We could have filled the room twice over with Authors that we would have loved to have heard from – the Winter Party across the years has become something absolutely lovely.
Purchase the Books
Many of the Authors books are in stock on our website, or up for pre-order, and some are available (whilst stocks last) as signed editions. Choose to purchase them alone or in a cosy book box of treats! You can also support us on Libro.FM and Bookshop.org!
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