We know how much you love getting the inside story on how bestselling writers work. That’s why we’re bringing you a brand new series of live author events to enjoy FREE, from Woman & Home Book Club
LIVE AUTHOR EVENTS COMING UP
Put these dates in your diary and join us to meet three of the UK's bestselling authors this autumn. You can register NOW for any of our live author events to make sure of your place. They're all FREE.
Wednesday 21st October 2020
IN CONVERSATION WITH Heidi Thomas
The multi-award-winning screenwriter, author and producer joins us to talk about herCall the Midwifeseries, one of the BBC’s best-loved and most successful dramas, and her new book, The Wisdom of Call The Midwife.
As its creator, Heidi has conjured a cast of characters that audiences truly care about. From sassy, brittle Trixie, who can flirt (and smoke) for England, to serene but starchy Sister Julienne, each character has her flaws but tackles difficult situations head on, often with a dose of humour.
On paper, the gritty storylines (from domestic abuse to mental health issues) do not make for popular Sunday-night viewing. The brutal reality of life in the East End in the 1950s and 60s, particularly for women, the sick and the poor, is never shied away from.
Yet the warmth, strength and compassion shown by the Sisters and midwives of Nonnatus House strikes a deep chord with its audience. Who didn’t weep buckets when newly-wed Nurse Barbara died of septicaemia, or punch the air when Chummy (Miranda Hart) finally married policeman beau, Peter?
Although best known forCall the Midwife, Liverpool-born Heidi has had a long and illustrious writing career, from early work in the theatre and radio, to film (Ballet Shoes) and period drama, includingLittle Women,Upstairs, DownstairsandCranford.
Most recently, Heidi and her team have just wrapped up filming the 2020Call the MidwifeChristmas special. Broadcast on Christmas Day, the specials typically draw in millions of viewers, earning Heidi the title ‘Queen of Christmas’.
Acknowledging how much the series is part of her life, Heidi said: ’We are very much a family at Call the Midwife, and like families everywhere, we have missed each other. We will now be putting more love and energy into our work more than ever and I can’t wait to share series 10 with our fantastic, loyal audience.’
Heidi has also written the foreword to a fabulous new title, which seems perfect for the times:The Wisdom of Call the Midwife, sharing words of inspiration from the Sisters and midwives of Nonnatus House - which Heidi will be chatting to Woman & Home books editor Zoe West about at our LIVE event on Wednesday 21st October.
Like to ask Heidi a question? Join the Q&A live, or send it in advance to zoe.west@futurenet.com
REGISTER FOR YOUR FREE PLACE HERE
Our previous live author events
Our most recent author event was our evening with bestselling author and screenwriter Lynda La Plante, who joined us for Books I Have Loved.
She started her career as an actress, and went on to create some of fiction’s and TV’s greatest characters, from Prime Suspect’s DCI Jane Tennison, to Dolly Rawlins of Widows.
At our live author event, Lynda told us about her stunning new book, Blunt Force, which sees the return of young Jane Tennison.
In this story, things can't get much worse for detective Jane Tennison. Unceremoniously kicked off the adrenaline-fuelled Flying Squad, she now plies her trade in a small and sleepy police station in the heart of London's affluent Knightsbridge.
With only petty crime to sink her teeth into, Tennison can feel her career slowly flatlining. That is until the discovery of the most brutal murder Jane has ever seen. Big-time theatrical agent Charlie Foxley has been found viciously beaten to death with a cricket bat.
He had a lot of powerful friends - but just as many enemies. And alongside her old friend DS Spencer Gibbs, Tennison must journey into the salacious world of show business to find out which one is the killer, before they strike again.
Plus we discussed Buried, the first in Lynda's brand new series featuring detective Jack Warr. The book links back to the dark past of Widows, one of Lynda's all-time greats.
She also shared the six books that have had a special impact on her life.
Previous author events have also included 'In Conversation With' bestselling authors Veronica Henry, Karen Swan and Sophia Money-Coutts, whilst author Lesley Pearse chatted about her latest book Liar, and told us about her favourite reads in 'Books I Have Loved'.
Top publisher Orion brought us amazing insights into how to get published with the first in our Masterclass series, with fiction editorial director Charlotte Mursell and bestselling author Cathy Bramley.
And in the meantime, if you're looking for more recommendations for your own book club, or book shelf, you may like to try this selection of Best Book Club Books.
Wednesday 16 September 2020
IN CONVERSATION WITH Joanne Harris
The author of the much-lovedChocolatseries, and popular standalone novels,Five Quarters Of The OrangeandBlackberry Wine, is back with her third folk-inspired novella,Orfeia– a stunning and original modern fairytale.
The author, known for her magical, atmospheric style, will be chatting to Woman & Home books editor Zoe West about her books, what inspires her, and sharing some of her writing secrets.
Like to ask Joanne a question? Join the Q&A live, or send it in advance to zoe.west@futurenet.com
REGISTER FOR YOUR FREE PLACE HERE
Join us!
We're really looking forward to welcoming you to our autumn events - see you there!
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Helen Skelton's quilted khaki jacket, denim blouse and timeless Hunter welly boots prove she's the queen of outdoorsy-chicThanks to Helen Skelton, we've found the stylish winter outfit of our dreams - the presenter is outdoor chic personified in a quilted khaki coat, Karen Millen blouse and Hunter boots.
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