Upcoming Publishing Events
By Erin Evett, Sophie Dickinson and Rosie Burgoyne
An Evening with James Cahill
15 June, 6:00–7:30p.m.
Join James Cahill in Waterstones, Cambridge as he discusses his new novel Tiepolo Blue. It follows the revered art historian, Don Lamb, and his friendship with a young artist, Ben. However, as Ben begins to draw Lamb out of his old life and into a more liberating one, Lamb confronts his unexamined past and must also come to terms with a new sexual awakening. Cahill will be in discussion with classicist and art historian Caroline Vout and there will be a book signing after the talk. For more information and ticket prices, click here.
An Evening with Lily Lindon, Radhika Sanghani and Laura Kay
16 June, 6:00p.m.
Join Lily Lindon in Waterstones Birmingham, as she discusses her new romantic comedy, Double Booked. It follows one woman’s journey with her sexual identity as she realises she is bisexual whilst in a long term relationship. She will be joined by Radhika Sanghani and Laura Kay, who will also be discussing their two upcoming books, Thirty Things I Love About Myself and Tell Me Everything. For more information and ticket prices, click here.
Book Launch: Queer Spaces: An Atlas of LGBTQIA+ Places and Stories
23 June, 6:00–8:00p.m.
Location: Grimshaw Architects, London To celebrate the launch of Queer Spaces, a beautifully illustrated book celebrating the value of spaces in which the queer community can gather together, Grimshaw is inviting readers to join a book presentation and panel discussion, hosted in London, chaired by the book’s editors, Adam Nathaniel Furman and Joshua Mardell, who will be joined by guest speakers. The evening will include a drinks reception and the chance to purchase books to be signed. Tickets can be purchased by making an optional charity donation to The Outside Project and can be purchased here.
Barnes Children’s Literature Festival
25 and 26 June
Tickets have gone on sale for Barnes Children’s Literature festival, a brilliant weekend of all things children’s literature, held annually in South West London. This year’s festival takes place on 25 and 26 June and features a packed line up of family-friendly events with authors and illustrators including Sharna Jackson, Nick Sharratt, Lauren Child, Maz Evans and more. You can browse the full festival programme and book your tickets here.
The festival also provides some great volunteering opportunities for children’s publishing hopefuls and recruits an army of red apron-clad volunteers each year to help support the running of the event, whether this be meeting and greeting visitors, chaperoning authors, or helping out in the festival office. To find out more about volunteering, visit this link, or get in touch via getinvolved@barneskidslitfest.org.
The Bookseller Marketing and Publicity Conference
27 June, 9:00a.m.–6:00p.m.
The Bookseller’s Marketing and Publicity Conference at County Hall, Waterloo is back in person for the first time in two years. The theme of this year's conference is Connect and Reflect. Throughout the day there will be speakers including Simon & Schuester’s Polly Osbourne, author Oliver Burkeman and Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon. For more information and ticket prices, click here.
BookMachine Unplugged Online: Talking Audio
29 June, 6:00–7:00p.m.
Join Louise Hardy, Audio Manager at Little, Brown Book Group, alongside a panel of audio experts on Zoom to hear discussions on the latest audio trends, innovations in the market and whether anything can become an audiobook. This event will cover how publishers have experimented creatively with traditional book genres in audio, as well as original recordings and how customers interact with audio. For more information and ticket prices, click here.
Meet and Mingle Online: BookMachine & Women’s Media Group Mixer
28 June, 6–7pm
Enter the virtual networking platform Wonder to meet and mingle with BookMachine and Women’s Media Group members. Women’s Media Group is a New York City-based non-profit, dedicated to mentoring young women interested in pursuing media careers. Plenty of conversation starters will be provided to help you get to know professionals across the publishing and creative industries. For more information and tickets, click here.
City of Stories Announces Summer events programme
Events throughout June and July
‘City of Stories’ is a programme consisting of 33 free online workshops for Londoners, aimed at celebrating London’s libraries as places in which to make and share stories. The programme is a collaboration between Spread the Word and London Libraries and will play host to virtual events throughout June and July. To find your local library event or browse the full programme, visit the Eventbrite page here.