As an author, part of my job involves talking about and publicising my own books, but also spreading the book love in general. This means talking at literary festivals and salons, as well as being invited to talk to aspiring writers, readers and general literature enthusiasts at library and book club events. These first pictures were taken last September at Berkofest – an annual culture festival held in my hometown of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire (known as Berko to us Berks!) There was music, food and much more, but also a Waterstones tent where various authors including myself took to the stage to talk about a variety of things from: Is the Psychological Thriller Dead? To, How to Get Published (the event I was talking at with fellow authors) and Writing for Children.
That event was so successful that this year, in May 2019, the inaugural Berkofest Bookfest took place – the very first, pure literary festival (as opposed to a general cultural festival) the town has ever seen. It was a great success, with the line-up including authors covering all genres and for age groups from M.G.Leonard (author of Beetle Boy) to Erin Kelly, mistress of the psychological thriller, Sunday Times bestselling authors Lisa Jewell and Rowan Coleman and comedian and children’s author, Olaf Falafel.
I did an event with my editor, Sam Humphreys called ‘The Journey to Publication’ which took the audience right through the process from the publishing house (in my case Pan Macmillan) buying the book from the agent (in my case, Lizzy Kremer at David Higham Associates) to how a book is edited, publicised and eventually ends up on the shelves of your local supermarket or book shop. It was a brilliant, inspiring day, drawing aspiring writers and avid readers alike, who all asked such interesting and pertinent questions about all things book-related.
Our local branch of Waterstones were on site to sell books which the authors signed, and there was a book tombola and events on subjects ranging from aromatherapy to photography and even a comedy improv workshop for the kids. Our local cemetery was open as a space to explore the rich literary heritage of our town.
The date for next year’s Berkofest Bookfest is May 10th 2020 and we hope to secure a similarly brilliant line up of authors and speakers. I am on the festival committee so watch this space for more details…..As well as for details of other festivals and events I shall be appearing at. If you’d like to book me for an event, please email my agent lizzykremer@davidhighamassociates.co.uk