By Michaela O’Callaghan and Sabeehah Saleq
A Career In Publishing: Editorial (Drama & Performance)
22 July, 6:00–7:15 p.m.
Bloomsbury Institute’s new event series features interviews with a range of individuals working within the publishing industry, and this session includes a talk with Dom O’Hanlon, a commissioning editor for Methuen Drama. Listen and learn more about this exciting area of the industry, and how you can combine your love of words and the dramatic arts. Tickets are available to buy here.
Girls Night: An Evening With Deborah Moggach, Good Housekeeping & Jigsaw
22 July, 6:30–8:45 p.m.
This July, join women’s fashion brand Jigsaw as they team up with Good Housekeeping and Bookends to bring you this fantastic summer event. Not only will you hear from Deborah Moggach, author of The Black Dress, as she lets you in on the behind-the-scenes stories of novel writing, but also catch up with friends over drinks whilst updating your summer wardrobe! Drinks, shopping and a bookish chat. If this sounds like the perfect event for you, you can get tickets here.
The Bham Lit Fest Monthly Discussion: Kate Mosse
22 July, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
This virtual event involves bestselling author Kate Mosse as she discusses her memoir, An Extra Pair of Hands, which explores her personal story as a middle-aged carer. Mosse will be in conversation with Alison Jean Lester, whose latest work, Absolutely Delicious: A Chronicle of Extraordinary Dying, describes her last months with her dying mother. This event is fully captioned and encourages questions from the audience. All proceeds will be donated to Age UK, Birmingham. You can sign up here.
Summer Blockbuster Thrillers With Faridah Àbíké-íyímídé, Holly Jackson And Maureen Johnson In Conversation With Sarah Shaffi
22 July, 7:30 p.m.
Are you looking for some great YA mystery thrillers to add to your summer to-be-read pile? Look no further! This amazing online event features three incredible New York Times bestselling authors – Faridah Àbíké-íyímídé, Holly Jackson and Maureen Johnson – as they discuss their stunning new novels Ace of Spades, As Good as Dead and The Box in the Woods. They will be in conversation with literary journalist and editor Sarah Shaffi about their new books and upcoming work, with the opportunity for event attendees to ask questions. Don’t miss the chance to take part – get your tickets here.
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
22–25 July
Calling all crime fiction readers! This award-winning festival welcomes you back to another exciting line-up of some of the biggest names in crime fiction. This year’s guests include The Thursday Murder Club author Richard Osman, The Dark Angel author Elly Griffiths, Slough House author Mick Herron and more! The event will also feature the announcement of the widely coveted Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. This is sure to be a thrilling festival, so get your tickets here!
Opening The Book: Working In Editorial
27 July, 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Hachette’s ‘Opening the Book’ series continues with ‘Working in Editorial’. Getting into an editorial position is highly competitive so this is the perfect event for those looking to kickstart their career in this area. Learn more about what the department does on a day-to-day basis and the skills you need to succeed. There will also be a live Q&A, so come prepared with questions to ask the panellists. To send any questions in advance, email openingthebook@hachette.co.uk and keep an eye on their social media to keep up to date with panellist announcements. You can register for free here.
Bird & Blend Book Club with Julia Tuffs
29 July, 7:00 p.m.
This month, Bird & Blend are teaming up with Tandem Collective to bring you an exciting online experience! Join Bird & Blend co-founder Krisi for a cuppa and bookish chat with Hexed author Julia Tuffs, as well as Katherine and Elizabeth Korr, authors of the A Throne of Swans duology. Bird & Blend have chosen the perfect tea blends for you to enjoy during the event: Blue Raspberry and Peppy Mint! This event sounds like every bookworm’s dream! Get tickets here.
Exclusive International Online Event With Peter V Brett – In Conversation With Katherine Arden
3 August, 6:00 p.m.
This exclusive online event, hosted by Waterstones, is sure to be a treat for lovers of fantasy! Join Peter V Brett, author of the widely loved The Demon Cycle series, as he discusses his latest work, The Desert Prince. Brett will be joined in conversation with Winternight trilogy author, Katherine Arden. You will even have the opportunity to ask your own questions! Get tickets here.
Looking Forward To… YALC
6–8 August
YALC stands for the Young Adult Literature Convention. First run in July 2014 at the London Film and Comic Con, it was the first large convention dedicated to teen and young adult books in the UK. Unfortunately, there will be no live event this year. Instead, the team are organising a brilliant at home YALC takeover across social media platforms. Publishers will also arrange some fantastic online panels, so if you are an avid YA reader, keep an eye out for the details on their social media.