A new term begins

September is one of my favourite months – it’s reminiscent of going back to school with a new blazer, blank exercise books and sharpened pencils. This song conveys the sense of resolve and purpose I always feel around this time of year.

Just as the new term begins, so my speaking schedule starts up again and there are some forthcoming events I’m particularly excited about.

From Fact to Fiction @ National Army Museum
Thursday 22 September, 12.30 pm

I’ll be giving a Daytime Talk at the National Army Museum in London. My focus is on the true stories of the women working at the Cadbury factory during World War One and how they inspired my novel Comforts for the Troops. The NAM marketing team recently invited me to contribute a preview blog post to their website which you can read by clicking the photograph below.

‘The Women of Birmingham: telling stories with heart from the heart of the country’ @ 2016 BookCrossing UK Unconvention
Saturday 24 September, 9.45 to 10.45 am

Along with author Katharine D’Souza I’ll be speaking at the BookCrossing Uncon in Birmingham at the Hallmark Strathallan Hotel.

The Women Of Birmingham: Telling stories with heart from the heart of the country
Katharine D’Souza and Fiona Joseph

Birmingham might be best known for industry, baltis, and Peaky Blinders, but we also have a long history of welcoming incomers, doing good deeds, and storytelling.

Katharine D’Souza will talk about why she is drawn to write about heroines with conscience and why Birmingham makes a great backdrop for her contemporary novels.

Fiona Joseph will explain how exploring the Cadbury Archives inspired her to write a biography and a fact-inspired novel to reveal stories of Birmingham women.

Both authors will also read short extracts from their books, answer audience questions, and be available throughout the day for signing sessions.

Later in the day authors Simon Michael and Guy Fraser-Sampson and publisher Emma Press will be appearing.

Schedule

What Haunts The Heart Anthology launch @ Birmingham Literature Festival
Sunday 9 October, 2 pm

At the beginning of October the Birmingham Literature Festival kicks off. Come and join me and other authors whose work appears in the ‘What Haunts The Heart’ short story anthology published by Mantle Arts. I’ll be at Waterstones Birmingham reading an extract from The Last Train To Soller, an unashamedly romantic story about lost love and the possibility of finding closure.

Utopias @ Birmingham Literature Festival, Thursday 13 October, 6 – 7 pm

I’ll be chairing a discussion with two authors who’ve written books on Utopias:

Writer, broadcaster, historian and architectural campaigner, Gillian Darley will be speaking about Villages of Vision: A Study of Strange Utopias.

Historian and novelist Jacqueline Yallop will discuss Dreamstreets: A Journey Through Britain’s Village Utopias.

Come and join us for what promises to be a fascinating discussion about those who’ve been inspired to create a better world.

 

Do let me know if you’re going to any of these events. I’d love to see you there!