A selection of bookshop readings, performances, literary lunches, salons, festivals and other writerly goings-on are listed here and regularly updated.
When the Covid pandemic decimated traditional book tours and public events, a wide range of bookshops, cultural organisations and publishers stepped up to the plate with a series of virtual panels and discussions, attracting large audiences. While online events and live streaming have become a popular alternative or addition, in-person events are now back in full swing. For your wider literary and cultural fix, check out the video, podcast and event listings at the British Library, the London Review Bookshop, Waterstones, English PEN, the Southbank Centre, publisher and author websites and social media streams, as well as those of your local organisations and venues.
—
Tuesday 21 January
Kirsty Gunn Book Event and Masterclass
6 to 8:30pm
The Highland Bookshop, 60 High Street, Fort William PH33 6AH
Kirsty Gunn discusses Pretty Ugly, and gives a masterclass on writing techniques. In the first half of the session, she will be in conversation with local writer Stephen Carruthers, as well as reading from her new book. For readers and writers who want to learn more, in the second half of the session, from 7 to 8pm, she will be hosting a creative writing masterclass focused on the short story. This is a rare opportunity in Lochaber to meet and learn from such a distinguished writer of both fiction and non-fiction: something to inspire for a dark January evening.
£12 admission includes a copy of Pretty Ugly and free entry to the masterclass (£5 event only)
More info and book
—
Ongoing
Arvon courses and retreats
Online or in-person, from one hour at home to five weeks at historic writers’ houses in Devon, Shropshire and Yorkshire, you can find inspiration, support and transform your writing with Arvon. Discover a range of creative writing courses and events for writers of any genre and any level of experience. Tutors and guest writers for Autumn 2024 include Sean Lusk, Preti Taneja, Marcel Theroux, Samantha Harvey and many more.
Pictured: Totleigh Barton in Devon, the first ever Arvon centre
More info and book
—
