How do we take our personal experience and broader histories and turn them into cracking stories, gripping characters and vibrant worlds that glue readers to the page from the very start? In tonight’s salon we’ll be talking about writing fiction that reflects who we are and where we come from. We’ll also touch on practical matters such as research, connecting with readers and maintaining a successful online presence.

Candy Gourlay’s novels for children have been listed for many prizes including the Waterson’s, Blue Peter, the Carnegie and the Guardian Prizes. Her most recent novel Bone Talk draws on the colonial history of the Philippines and has been long-listed for the CLIP Carnegie Medal 2019 and short-listed for the Costa Book Award 2019. Come along, bring your questions and take part in the discussion over tea and cake or a glass of wine.

Click through to the Words Away website for more information and to book tickets.

A typical Words Away Salon, this one with historical novelist Essie Fox.