A chance to meet new and established authors to chat informally and have your book personally signed.
Charlotte Valentine, Simon Marlowe, J.V.Phaure, Sade Fadipe spark dynamic conversations by moving into the emotional truths, creative risks, and industry realities. Using their narrative and expertise to produce an unputdownable novel.
Rachel Churcher award-winning editor and author, Julia Blake and Simon Marlow discuss an author’s ego against the sharp-eyed wit of an edition’s red pen. Genre bending and villains with a point.
With their sharp and perceptive style of writing, best-selling author of Girl on the Beach and The Butterfly Trap at Chapters Bookshop and Charlotte Valentine, author of the intense thrillers The Cerberus Affair and He Walks Past My House talk books with an audience Q&A to round it off.
Join Pete Moore and Dr Jocasta Webb for an engaging conversation about how mindfulness is now used widely in trauma and pain management. They will share their experiences as experts in their respective fields followed by a Q&A Session.
An opportunity to hear your favourite authors showcase and speak across all genres, both fiction and non-fiction, exploring their ways to ignite the passion for books, writing, reading and storytelling amongst all ages of people.
The loveliest part of childhood is story time. Here’s the chance to sit and allow your imagination to wander read by the author whose stories you love. Who wouldn’t want to be a child again?
Enjoy an intimate celebration of words, performance, and expression through poetry and literary recitals, bringing powerful writing to life.
Join experts in their fields to hear their perspective on the subjects of Mindfulness and Pain Self Management.
Time to encourage our younger audience to think about the beginning, middle, and end of a story. Using unique styles of creativity and brainstorming ideas why not be part of the creative writing experience.
Encouraging children to write creatively begins with inspiration and imagination.
Develop your creativity and writing skills through practical and inspiring workshops. Explore new ideas, discover your voice, and learn from experienced writers.
Discover your creativity through inspiring, hands-on Art Workshops and step into a creative space where Ideas, Colour and Imagination come to life.
Simon Marlowe
An opportunity to meet Simon, purchase his book and have these personally signed
Charlotte Valentine
An opportunity to meet Charlotte purchase one of her novels and have these personally signed
J.V. Phaure
An opportunity to meet author and founder of Chapters Bookshop and have a copy of your book signed.
Chip Colquhoun
Together with illustrator Korky Paul, Oxford Owl storyteller Chip has produced books that literally changed lives. One example, where an almost non-verbal boy became a confident speaker thanks to these stories, in turn inspired Chip’s latest book, The Bestest Story in the World… Ever! You’ll find Chip full of advice, encouragement, and (of course) stories. Be one of the first to own his exciting new book, which is out just in time for you to get it signed here!
Sade Fadipe
Sade is a children’s author, educator and creative producer passionate about storytelling that explores identity, culture and belonging, while empowering young minds. After 12 years in mainstream teaching, Sade took a career break and travelled to northern Nigeria, where she scripted A Fun ABC, later released in the U.S. as A Visit to Grandad — a book praised for celebrating African culture while encouraging children’s literacy. In 2020, the book received recognition in Pennsylvania, including Winner of the Baker’s Dozen, and was nominated for the Caldecott Award.
Sade is also the author of Snowy Joy and co-producer of its stage adaptation, Snowy Joy & The Toysavers. Drawing on her dual heritage and experiences of life in both England and Nigeria, she creates stories that celebrate culture and help children explore identity and belonging. Sade lives in Essex and travels widely, delivering literary fanfares and creative experiences for children through her CALF-Event CIC projects.
Simon Marlowe
I am a darkly comic crime thriller author, and a programmed author for the Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival 2024 (Harrogate International Festivals). A consummate wordsmith, I like to skilfully blend social and political issues into compellingly relevant narratives on a par with the best in modern crime fiction today.
Charlotte Valentine
I split my time between London and Málaga, Spain where I share my home with 6 rescue cats who are also my writing assistants!
My earliest memories are of always being treated to a bedtime story as a child. That’s where my love of stories and those magical words “Once upon a time” began.
Perhaps it was inevitable I would one day be a storyteller myself. I hope readers enjoy escaping into my stories and into the characters I write. Above all, I hope they entertain.
J.V. Phaure
J.V. Phaure is a British author, best known for writing suspense style novels, thrillers, and contemporary fiction.
Jane’s novels will effortlessly transport you in her unique and beautiful storytelling. Her love of books inspired her to open her book shop aptly named “Chapters,” where the tag line is quite simply;- “Read. Imagine. Repeat.”
She loves nothing more than to sit on the beach and people watch and write. She lives with her family in North Essex.”
Rachel Churcher
Rachel Churcher is an award-winning author, professional editor, and co-founder of Foreword Festival UK. She divides her time between organising book festivals, running workshops, visiting bookshops, editing, and writing. She is always happy to meet writers and readers, and talk about books, dinosaurs, and the merits of various fictional starships.
Julia Blake
I am what’s called a multi-genre author, which basically means I cannot settle to writing in just one genre but instead want to explore many. To date, I have published in the genres of contemporary fiction, romantic suspense, YA fantasy, folklore fantasy, steampunk, Sci-Fi, coming-of-age, and poetry.
I always feel that as I don’t restrict myself to what genres I read, neither will I restrict myself to what I write. On the plus side, this means that if there’s a genre you don’t like, then I have a variety of others for you to choose from
Pete Moore
Dr Jocasta Webb
Pete Moore
Join Pete Moore for his personal perspective on living with persistent pain and taking an active role in well being
Dr Jocasta Webb
Vaseem Khan
Thriller, Chillers and Killers: A Brief History of Crime Fiction
What is the oldest known ‘detective’ story? How has the genre evolved over the years? In this illuminating talk, bestselling crime writer Vaseem Khan will take us on a whirlwind tour of the books and authors that have shaped crime writing. Packed with historical facts and intriguing anecdotes, this is a must for anyone interested in crime, mystery and thriller fiction.
J.V. Phaure
J.V. Phaure, author of psychological thrillers; Girl on the Beach and its sequel The Butterfly Trap and contemporary fiction; Jack’s Story and Katumba draw you into her world of writing. Now the founder of Chapters she can be found writing her latest novel A Row of Pink Shirts. Join Jane to hear all about her Journey with a Q&A session to follow.
Charlotte Valentine
Charlotte Valentine, author of the intense thrillers The Cerberus Affair and He Walks Past My House talks books with an audience Q&A to round it off.
Chip Colquhoun
Storyteller Chip has collected thousands of stories from across the world and guarantees to find one you are certain to love. Join Chip for an interactive session with Q&A to follow.
Sade Fadipe
Sade is a children’s author, educator and creative producer passionate about storytelling that explores identity, culture and belonging, while empowering young minds. Join Sade to find out more with Q&A to follow.
Rachel Churcher
Rachel Churcher is an award-winning author, professional editor, and co-founder of Foreword Festival UK. Rachel always happy to meet writers and readers, and talk about books, dinosaurs, and the merits of various fictional starships. Attend this interactive session to find out more.
James Domestic
James Domestic writes and performs poetry on subjects not many poets would cover. Join James in this interactive session to discover more.
Eve Stebbing
The research of her book took Eve and her two sons on many adventures across East Anglia, bringing her to Bradfield and Wrabness. Come to her Talk & Q&A to find out more…
Chip Colquhoun
What sort of story would you like to hear? Adventurous? Hilarious? Spooky? Storyteller Chip has collected thousands of stories from across the world, and guarantees to find one you are certain to love. He may use puppets, music, or even magic – but there will definitely be plenty of joining in…
Sade Fadipe
The Book: A Visit to Grandad to enjoy again and again. A Signed Keepsake: receive a personally signed copy of the book. The Story Beyond the Story: Beyond the pages is an interactive lived experience featuring story, song, rhythm, movement, culture and conversation, bringing Modakeke and the world of A Visit to Grandad to life.
Dr Jocasta Webb
Join Dr Jocasta Web for an interactive mindfulness taster workshop and book reading for children (7-11 Years) – a fun and experimental journey into the enlightening world of mindfulness!
James Domestic
James Domestic writes and performs poetry on subjects not many poets would cover. The title of his latest book (published by Earth Island) is self-deprecatingly titled …Is an Acquired Taste, although a number of big names from the poetry and comedy world do seem to have acquired it. Expect pathos, curiosity, and laughs.
J.V. Phaure
How does the Magic Faraway Tree go from being an oak tree to … well, your imagination and a story unfolding? J.V Phaure author and founder of Chapters has a unique style of encouraging children to write creatively which begins with inspiration and imagination.
Chip Colquhoun
Oxford Owl storyteller Chip has helped many children see their stories performed onstage, published as books, and even sung at events across the world! Perhaps he could do the same for you? Bring a pen or pencil, and he’ll share everything you need to know to create, tell, and write a great story that others are certain to love.
Rachael Churcher
Give your writing a glow-up! with award-winning author and professional editor Rachel Churcher Person and Tense are powerful tools for a writer. This workshop will explore the benefits and limitations of these storytelling choices.
Simon Marlowe
How to write a novel: Simon Marlowe explains the ingredients for a classic novel and then gets you to write one yourself. Sounds easy and sometimes it is! The Independent Authors Toolkit: building on how to write a novel Simon Marlowe provides a 360° overview of the authors tools in order to practice the art of the published author.
Chip Colquhoun
Pamela Jane
Join Pamela for a two-hour Art Workshop. A relaxed creative beginners session exploring water colour techniques and colour blending. Perfect for first timers or anyone wanting a gentle, inspiring introduction to painting.
Dr Jocasta Webb
Jocasta is passionate about the role of mindfulness in helping children to develop skills to regulate their emotions and respond in ways that align with their core values, and to equip them later on in life and to support them through navigating the transition between childhood and adulthood. She will be available to talk about the beneficial role of mindfulness in building calm and resilience in our children, and will be selling copies of her first in a series of books, The Four Faces of Love, which aim to teach mindfulness principles in a storybook format
Pete Moore
Pete is a Coach and passed the City & Guilds training to teach adults. He also passed the City & Guilds Public speaking course.
He regularly speaks to health care professionals and patient groups here in the UK, Europe and around the world about pain self-management and is a regular presenter at the Austrian and EFIC Pain School (Austria).
