Upcoming Publishing Events
By Maria Sadek, Sophie Dickinson and Erin Evett
Getting started in Arts Publishing
16 February 2023, 12:30–3:30 p.m.
Whitechapel Gallery, London
If you enjoy contemporary art and are interested in books, then this free workshop for young people (aged fifteen to twenty-four) will help you discover the industry. Run by Whitechapel Gallery’s Head of Publications Evie Tarr, this event will give an insight into the process of making books with exhibition catalogues and artists’ books. There will also be a visit to an exhibition at the art gallery to discuss the relationship between art, exhibitions and books. For more information, click here.
An evening with C. K. McDonnell
16 February 2023, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Waterstones, Liverpool
Don’t miss out on the chance to meet former stand-up comedian, TV writer and bestselling author C. K. McDonnell. He will be discussing Love Will Tear Us Apart, the third instalment of his series which focuses on The Stranger Times newspaper reporting on the spooky and supernatural. McDonnell will be in conversation with bestselling crime fiction author Luca Veste, known for his DI Murphy and DS Rossi series. For more information and ticket prices, click here.
In conversation with Raven Smith and Pandora Sykes
21 February 2023, 6:30 p.m.
Waterstones Piccadilly, London
Join Sunday Times bestselling author and Style columnist Raven Smith as he celebrates the paperback publication of his book Men in an interview with journalist and broadcaster Pandora Sykes. Men, Raven’s second book, is part-memoir, part-exploration of the undefined boundaries of masculinity. It is said to blend the personal, the primal and the perennial. Raven is quoted by many as the funniest man on Instagram, whilst Skykes’ writing has been described as “witty and zeitgeist-y” by Vanity Fair. So, if you’re looking for a joyful and insightful conversation between two brilliant writers, make sure you don’t miss this event. For more information and ticket prices, click here.
Bulgarian tendencies: The perils of publishing queer books
23 February 2023, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Cambridge University Library, Cambridge
Join Justin Bengry, the Director of the Centre for Queer History at Goldsmiths, University of London, as he delivers this fascinating and important talk on the history of queerness in publishing. The seminar will look at pioneering authors of the 20th century, such as Edward Carpenter, Rose Allatini and Radclyffe Hall, whose explorations of the lives of LGBTQIA+ people paved the way for the imagining of queer book markets where tolerance and inclusivity were possible. Bengry will also explore the dangers of writing and publishing these stories in the 20th century and the history of queer publishing until the modern day. This is a free event and also includes the chance to explore the archival collections at Cambridge University Library that bring this lecture to life. For more information on this drop-in event and to reserve a spot, click here.
In conversation with Kevin Jared Hosein and Natasha Brown
23 February 2023, 7:00 p.m.
Foyles Charing Cross Road, London
Book your tickets now to this special event at Foyles where you can see Kevin Jared Hosein discuss his brand new novel Hungry Ghosts. After establishing himself as a major international literary talent, Hosein has penned a new novel about a farmhand in Trinidad who witnesses the violence, class struggle and strength of community in a landscape defined by colonialism. This engaging and important novel brings the often overlooked history of Hosein’s homeland Trinidad and Tobago into focus. Hosein will explore and discuss this history alongside Natasha Brown at this book signing and Q&A event. To find out more information and to book tickets, click here.
Sebastian Barry: Old God’s Time
27 February 2023, 8:00–9:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Join Sebastian Barry in conversation with Claire Armistead as he discusses his new novel Old God’s Time. Barry has written ten previous novels, two of which have been shortlisted for the Booker Prize. He was also the Laureate for Irish Fiction from 2018 to 2021. Old God’s Time focuses on Tom Kettle, a recently retired police officer who is living a somewhat isolated life, but is pulled into the dark currents of his past through two former colleagues consulting him on a decades-old case. For more information and tickets to this event, click here.
Michael Handrick: Difference is Born on the Lips reading and Q&A
28 February 2023, 7:00 p.m.
King’s College Strand Campus, London
As part of the Queer@King’s society’s celebration of LGBTQIA+ History Month, join Michael Handrick as he discusses his new part-memoir, part-exposé about the stigmatisation and social prejudices towards the LGBTQIA+ community, followed by a Q&A and drinks reception. In this incredibly moving and raw narrative, Handrick explores being a gay, working-class man and his journey through different countries as he searched for a sense of self. Handrick’s work has previously been shortlisted for Penguin Random House’s WriteNow 2020 award, but this is his first novel. Entry to the event is free. To find out more information, click here.