SALON FOR THE CITY ~ 50th EVENT SPECIAL

If you live in London, or simply love all things cultural related to our great capital, then Salon For The City is a must.

Based in the Westminster Reference Library and having now been running for five years, the Salon’s 50th event promises to be very special: an evening of words, music, and song, and included in the ticket price (£10 in advance. £14 on the door) is a ‘capital serving’ of Hendricks Gin cocktail to help to oil the proceedings along.

I always love going along to the salons as an audience member, but it’s even more fun to be involved. On this occasion I – along with the other speakers – will be talking for 5 minutes on one of my favourite Londoners. I could tell you who I have chosen, but for now I’ll only give this clue – it’s a story that features strongly and also somewhat malevolently in my novel The Last Days of Leda Grey.

I can’t wait to unwrap this eerie tale…

More detail and tickets available here.

APPEARING AT WINDSOR FESTIVAL

MEET THE AUTHORS is a literary event at Windsor Festival this year.

At 7pm on Thursday September 21, Essie will be on a panel with Julie Cohen, Tessa Harris, Oliver Tidy and Jonathan Posner, with Gary Mckeone (former Director of Literature at Arts Council England) in the chair.

This will be a fun, informative and relaxed event for readers and writers alike. Do come along and join us for what is sure to be an inspiring evening.

QUEEN VICTORIA'S FAVOURITES ...

Duleep Singh

On Monday May 22 I'll be talking about the glamorous but doomed Duleep Singh, the last Maharajah of Lahore who became a great favourite of Queen Victoria when he left his Indian homeland to live as a Christian in England ~ at least until he decided that he'd like to have his throne returned, not to mention the priceless Koh-i-nor; his country's sovereign symbol which Victoria took as ransom at the end of the Second Anglo Sikh War.

 It's the stuff of adventure and tragedy, with many twists and turns along the way.

At the same event Shrabani Basu will be talking about Victoria's favourite and confidante, Abdul Karim.

The event takes place at The George Public House in Eton at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from the Thames Valley History Festival website.

TALK AT THE MUSIC HALL SOCIETY

On Thursday April 23 at 7.45 pm I'll be talking about the Echoes of Music Hall in my work ~ and the wonderful singer, Kirsten Morrison, will singing some of the songs I mention.

Kirsten Morrison

All are most welcome to come along, though for non Music Hall Society Members there will be a charge of £5 on the door.

The event will be held at 20 Bedford Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9HP

WORDS AWAY AT THE TEA HOUSE THEATRE

On March 27 at 7.30pm Essie will be discussing writing historical fiction at the Words Away monthly salon, held at the gorgeous Tea House Theatre, London SE11 5HL.

In the words of the salon website …

How do you create a compelling and authentic story set in the past? Essie Fox, whose new novel is The Last Days of Leda Grey, joins resident expert Emma Darwin alongside Kellie Jackson to excavate ways into writing Historical Fiction. After tonight’s salon you should gain fresh insight and top tips to bring the past to life in your work.

Advance Tickets cost £10 (£12 on the door) and can be booked via the Words Away website.

THE ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL ~ 2017

I'll be coming along to the Essex Book Festival this year. On March 9, at 7pm in the Billericay Library, I’ll be talking about ghosts, old silent films, the long hot summer of ’76 ~  and much more of the inspiration behind my latest novel, The Last Days of Leda Grey.

For more details please follow this link to the festival website.

WRITING COMES ALIVE ~ EVENT IN CANTERBURY ... DECEMBER 8 2016

Come along to the Writing Comes Alive Festival in Canterbury to hear me talk about the inspiration behind my novels.

AT THE BOOKISH SUPPER SOCIETY IN BRIGHTON ON NOVEMBER 2...

I'm not going to beat about the bush. I'm very excited about this event, which by chance is also taking place the night before the publication of my new novel, The Last Days of Leda Grey.

As my fictional character, Leda ~ once a star of Edwardian silent film whose looks were inspired by Theda Bara ~ also happened to come from Brighton (although I call it Brightland), where she lived in a splendid Regency House which is not at all dissimilar from the one where we'll be dining ... well, I couldn't be much happier. Such a lovely serendipity.

Artist's impression of the splendid Regency Townhouse

So, what is the Bookish Supper Society?

It's held in 13, Brunwick Square in Hove. There's food and wine, and books, and talk ~ and all co-hosted by Anna Burt, and the columnist and writer Laura Lockington. I'll be joined by fellow authors Jules Grant and Mark Thompson ... and hopefully by you as well. Lots more details can be found in the poster below for the event.

Tickets are available direct from tabl.com.

TALKING AT SANDHURST LIBRARY

I will be at Sandhurst library on Wednesday 21 September, between 7.30 and 9.00 pm.

Looking forward to discussing books ~ and the images that have inspired my three Victorian novels. I'll also be giving away some clues about a novel coming soon which is set in the world of silent films in Edwardian era Brighton, with  the story also taking part in the summer heatwave of 1976.

There will be lots of time for talking about books and inspiration in general - so please do come and say hello, whether you are a fellow reader, or an aspiring writer. I'm looking forward to meeting you.

More details and directions here.

HISTORICAL NOVEL ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE HELD IN OXFORD ...

Over the weekend of September 4-6th, Essie will be attending the HNS 2016 conference in Oxford where she'll also be speaking on two panels.

BEYOND THE TEMPORAL - will be chaired by Karen Maitland (best selling author of highly renowned and wonderfully entertaining medieval thrillers). This will take place on the morning of Saturday, September 3. Along with Mary Sharratt, and Antoinette May this discussion will explore the way an author can use theories of spiritualism and the supernatural in various eras of historical fiction. Essie will talk in particular about the Victorian Cult of Death.

BEST SELLING ERAS - Held between 4-5pm on the Saturday, promises to be an entertaining discussion on those eras in history that seem to appeal to readers most - how and why their popularity prevails. Essie (on the Victorian era) will be joined here by Elizabeth Freemantle, Antonia Hodgson, and Angus Donald. 

This is going to be such a vibrant and interesting weekend. Essie looks forward to meeting some of you there.

THE NORTHWEST LITERARY SALON

Essie will be appearing at the North West Literary Salon on the evening of Friday May 6th.

This is an exciting, free, monthly event held at Waterstones, King Street, Lancaster - and in the words of the Salon organisers ...

April showers bring May stories. North West Literary Salon celebrates both our one year anniversary and the close of the season with a special edition salon.

Celebrate with us as we welcome authors Sophie Duffy, Essie Fox and Paul McVeigh for a literary extravaganza.

The engaging readings will be followed by a lively discussion along with delicious locally-catered food from Filbert’s Bakery and music performed by a local musician.

Tickets via Eventbrite

MUSIC HALL: SALON FOR THE CITY

ON THE EVENING OF THURSDAY NOVEMBER 26TH ESSIE WILL BE GIVING A TALK FOR SALON IN THE CITY based on the Victorian music halls. What's more, a little bird tells us that there will also be some singing from Kate Garner to enhance the entertainment, making this an extra special finale for the Salon's year of London talks.

These wonderful evenings are curated by The Clerkenwell Kid and Rosella Black and are held at the Westminster Arts Library which is right in the middle of London, just behind The National Gallery.

The talks they host are varied,  and cover all aspects of London life, from business and fashion to theatre, music, literature, film and art.

There is always time to mingle, and Hendrick's provide gin cocktails to enhance the 'London' experience, with a soundtrack for the evening provided by The Clerkenwell Kid.

More details regarding tickets/times are in this link.

ESSIE FOX ON MUSIC HALLS ~ AT LONDON'S NATIONAL GALLERY...

On Saturday October 24th, Essie Fox will be taking part in a study day at the National Gallery in London, exploring the history and visual culture of music hall and circus. 

The study day is from 11am - 4pm at the National Gallery Sainsbury Wing lecture theatre and is available for a general public audience.

Later on, for those who wish to go, there will also be a visit to Wilton's Music Hall, with a tour and a 'cockney sing along'.

If you have an interest in music hall, circus or Belle Epoque, save the day. This will be grand. A link to the day is here.

A TALK FOR THE DRACULA SOCIETY

Still from the film The Brides of Dracula

On the evening of Saturday October 10th Essie will be speaking at an event hosted by The Dracula Society. 

If anyone is a member of the society, Essie will look forward to meeting you there. She'll be talking about the Victorian cult of death and how that may have influenced the work of Bram Stoker ~ along with references to the somewhat exotic vampiric cults in her latest Victorian novel, The Goddess and the Thief.

KENSAL GREEN CEMETERY JULY 4

Come along to Kensal Green Cemetery for an open day on Saturday July 4th.

There are lots of events going on in this historic Victorian Cemetery and, from around midday, I'll be there along with the wonderful novelist, Tracy Chevalier - who has written some of my favourite novels, including Girl with a Pearl Earring - and the singer Kirsten Morrison, whose voice and musical compositions are truly something rare to hear.

Among other attractions there will be tours of this historic cemetery on the hour, every hour from 11am - 5pm. There will be an art show in the Dissenters' Chapel, a display of Historic hearses, many stalls selling gifts and refreshments - and other amusements too.

CHRISTMAS VANGUARD READINGS: DECEMBER 11 2014.

On 11th December at 7.30pm, Essie will be at The Christmas Vanguard Readings, upstairs at The Bear in Camberwell. 

This free monthly literary event is hosted by Richard Skinner - acclaimed author, and poet, and also Director of the Faber Writing Academy. Richard invites writers - both new and established - to read from their latest work, and also to chat and mingle with members of the audience. 

Essie will be reading a ghostly and seasonal extract from her latest novel, The Goddess and The Thief - an 'Oriental Gothic' set in India and England, with ancient myths of Hindu gods and fraudulent spirit mediums who dabble in deceptions in Victorian candlelit parlours.

RICHMOND LITERARY FESTIVAL AT STRAWBERRY HILL HOUSE...

If you've visited the British Library for its latest exhibition - Terror and Wonder - The Gothic Imagination - then you will have seen many displays relating to Horace Walpole's Castle of Otranto, and his own extravagantly gothic home at Strawberry Hill House in Teddington.

Essie Fox will be visiting Stawberry Hill House on the evening of Friday November 21st as part of the Richmond Literary Festival when, quite coincidentally, she will also be celebrating the paperback publication of her latest book, The Goddess and the Thief - a novel with a distinctly dark and gothic flavour to its plot.

The event is called A FEAST OF BLOOD ~ THE ENGLISH OBSESSION WITH VAMPIRES, when Essie will be sharing the stage with the chair, Dr Peter Howell from St Mary's University, and fellow writer of the gothic novel, the author Lynn Shepherd. 

Please do come along and share some fascinating tales from us - while sitting in the glorious surrounds of this celebrated gothic house.

HALLOWEEN: THE OLD OPERATING THEATRE AND THE HERB GARRET...

One of my favourite museums in London is the Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garrett situated in historic Southwark ~ so I'm delighted to be playing a part in a fabulous Halloween event with stories, readings, historical facts, and some exquisite live music too. 

Tickets are available in advance via Eventbrite, and the numbers are limited due to this being such an ancient confined space. But what a space, and what spooky exhibits you'll get to see while mingling in the herb garrett and sipping at your Halloween 'Blood' punch ~ after which you'll be led to the operating theatre where the evening's main event takes place.

Join me, Kate Mayfield, Kirsten Morrison and Lloyd Shepherd for a fascinating evening ~ and for more details about us all, and also the venue in which we're appearing, please see this link. 

THE BIRMINGHAM COFFIN WORKS

On the evening of Wednesday October 8th I'll be at the Coffin Works - the now disused Newman Brothers factory that has been preserved by the Birmingham Conservation Trust as a venue of historical interest.

The building has been completely restored, and - well in advance of the doors being opened up to the general public again - I'll be part of a joint event to talk about the history of everything to do with this factory, once used for the manufacture of the fittings and fixtures for coffins.

Brian Parsons is an author who'll be passing on his expertise regarding the history of coffins and all related ephemera. 

Kate Mayfield - whose recent memoir, The Undertaker's Daughter, has just been published in hardback by Simon & Schuster, will be talking about her upbringing in a Kentucky funeral home. She has some incredible stories to tell from a book that reads more like a novel, which has been described in some reviews as 'Six Feet Under' meets 'The Help.'

For myself, I'll be discussing the Victorian obsession with Death - linking Queen Victoria's mourning with that of another Queen ~ Jindan Kaur, Maharani of Lahore who came to live in England only at the very end of her life, by which time her son was a favourite with the English aristocracy. A fascinating story of how two powerful women behaved entirely differently when faced with  the shock of bereavement.

Tickets and all booking details are available via EVENTBRITE. Wine and light refreshments are to be included.


Thanks to the Midlands Heritage site for the article that I have linked to, regarding the Coffin Works. 

THE HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY CONFERENCE ~ SEPTEMBER 2014

I'm thrilled to be taking part in this year's Historical Novel Society Conference which is taking place at Westminster University in London over the first weekend of this coming September 2014.

At the HNS annual conference you can be sure of mingling with established and upcoming writers, publishers, agents, booksellers, bloggers and readers who all share a passion for historical fiction. 

I'll be appearing on Sunday September 7th - first of all for a really exciting morning panel which is called  ~

Confronting Historical Fact With The Unexplained: 

From Myths & the Occult To Fairytales & The Gothic

And if that title is not alluring enough - it has my mouth watering already - just wait until you hear who else is on the panel: no less than Kate Forsyth (Chair) and Jessie Burton, Deborah Harkness, and Prof Dianna Wallace. 

Can we please make it last all day! 

Oh, but it can't - because later on that morning, in a session lasting from 11- 12 noon, I'll be speaking alongside Jenny Barden and Hallie Rubenhold when we discuss the subject of ~  

The Shock of the Norm 

 Prostitution, Bedsharing and Privacy: 
Changing Attitudes to Intimacy

I've spoken with Jenny and Hallie before and I know they have fascinating things to say about the Elizabethan and Georgian eras. I'll be there with some thoughts about the hypocrisy and double standards so prevalent in Victorian times.