AUTUMN 2015
Big Impact: Small Story. Where does the British short story go next?
Waterstones, Piccadilly. Thursday, 12 November 2015, 7.30pm to 9.00pm
The Word Factory is delighted to launch the Penguin Book of the British Short Story – a discerning selection of the best of British short fiction from Daniel Defoe to Zadie Smith edited by Philip Hensher. Join him and Cathy Galvin in conversation with three writers featured in this definitive anthology – Tessa Hadley, Adam Mars-Jones and Shena Mackay for an evening of debate, literary insight and reading.
In association with Penguin.
BUY TICKETS £12/8 (concession)
The Word Factory #37
Waterstones, Piccadilly. Saturday, 31 October 2015, 6.00pm to 8.00pm
Bring a friend for free and spend a chilled Word Factory Halloween in the company of Hanif Kureishi, Tom Lee and Leone Ross – spine-tingling readings and electrifying conversation with director Cathy Galvin. Plus details of our 2016 Word Factory apprenticeship scheme with mentors Ailsa Cox, Jacob Ross and Vanessa Gebbie will be announced.
In association with Vanguard, launching their first short story anthology at the salon.
Please note the times for the masterclasses, short story club and salon.
Brighton & Hove City Reads
Sallis Benney Theatre, Wednesday 21 October, 7.30pm – 10.30pm
ON BEING HUMAN – WRITERS RESPOND TO THE HUMANS
One stage, twenty writers, three minutes each….a bar, a bookstall and a bell, all you need for a very special event. Join us to hear some incredible voices from the vibrant Brighton literary scene. Writers include: David Bramwell, Susannah Jones, Mark A Radcliffe, Sharon Zink, Mick Jackson, William Shaw, Lizzie Enfield and three of this year’s Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize winners: Emma Jane Unsworth, Jo Mazelis and Bethan Roberts (City Reads author 2012). This event will be hosted by writer and presenter Laura Lockington.
In partnership with Myriad and University of Brighton.
BUY TICKETS £7/5 (student concession)
Word Factory #36
Saturday 19 September, 6pm – 8pm
The autumn salon season begins at Waterstones Piccadilly with Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize winner Carys Davies, the inspirational Toby Litt and two powerful new voices, Tyler Keevil and Diriye Osman.
Buy tickets here.
Foyles, Bristol
Tuesday 1 September, 2015, 6pm – 7:45pm
Come and hear comedic authors Nikesh Shukla and Emma Jane Unsworth discuss the inspirations behind their latest respective works: Meatspace and Animals.
Nikesh Shukla is a successful novelist and screenwriter, and is the host of the Subaltern podcast. His debut novel, Coconut Unlimited was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award 2010 and long-listed for the Desmond Elliott Prize 2011. His second novel Meatspace is known for being the book that launched a tandoori lamp chop into space.
Emma Jane Unsworth’s first novel Hungry, the Stars and Everything won a Betty Trask Award from the Society of Authors and was shortlisted for the Portico Prize 2012. Her second novel Animals was published by Canongate in May 2014 and won a Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize 2015. She is writing a third novel, as well as the screenplay of Animals.
Both Nikesh and Emma will be signing their books after the talk.
Tickets: This event is free but booking is recommended – email [email protected] to reserve your place(s). Please note: no phyical tickets will be issued, the email confirmation you receive is proof of your reservation.
SUMMER 2015
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Edinburgh, Sat 15 August 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Susan Barker and Toni Davidson
A Little Bit of History Repeating
Madness, obsession, history, family and fate shape these two novels of the global age. Toni Davidson’s The Alpine Casanovas is a bold, challenging exploration of two men of Eurasian heritage living worlds apart but joined by destiny. Susan Barker’s The Incarnations sweeps between China past and present, and portrays a man, stalked by his soulmate, and condemned to repeat the same mistakes over and over again.
Buy your tickets here.
ARCHIVED EVENTS:
Autumn 2014
SI Leeds Literary Prize
London, September – October 2014
1. SI Leeds Literary Prize readings, Sep 22, Rich Mix, London, 7.30pm, free
Dreda Say Mitchell introduces the SI Leeds Literary Prize shortlisted writers. A national, biennial prize with patrons including Bonnie Greer, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Bernardine Evaristo and Bidisha, this year sees the announcement of the second award in October at the Ilkley Literature Festival. Join the nominees for an engaging evening of readings and discussion.
2. The SI Leeds Literary Prize Celebration, Oct 8, Royal Festival Hall, London, 7pm, free
2014 Fiction Uncovered selected author Bernadine Evaristo will host the pre-award announcement celebration, introducing Minoli Salgado’s winning novel A Little Dust on the Eyes.
Autumn 2014
Jerwood Fiction Uncovered at The Manchester Literature Festival
Manchester, 6-19 October 2014
The Manchester Literature Festival in October will feature Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize winning authors in an event hosted by chair of judges Matt Haig.
Manchester Literature Festival
Autumn 2014
Cynan Jones at Penfro Book Festival
Neauadd y Dderwen, Rhosygilwen, Pembrokeshire, 14 September 2014
2014 winner Cynan Jones joins Tyler Keevil in Men without Women – a talk on modern men’s writing.
Autumn 2014
Cynan Jones & Amy Sackville at Marlborough Literature Festival
The Merchant’s House, Marlborough, 28 September 2014, 12pm-1pm
2013 Fiction Uncovered author Amy Sackville will be joining one of 2014 selected authors Cynan Jones at Marborough Literary Festival. More details coming soon.
Summer 2014
The Edinburgh International Book Festival
Edinburgh, 9-25 August 2014
Jerwood Fiction Uncovered authors will be appearing at multiple events throughout this years Edinburgh Book Festival:
- Lesley Glaister will be speaking with Kirsty Wark on Sun 10 Aug 2:30pm – 3:30pm
- Cynan Jones and Hamid Ismailov: ‘The opposite of Nature Writing’ on Fri 22 Aug 3:30pm – 4:30pm
- Naomi Wood and David Park: ‘The Women who married Literary Giants’ on Sat 9 Aug 7:00pm – 8:00pm
- Naomi Wood on The Sun Also Rises on Sun 10 Aug 11:00am – 12:30pm
Summer 2014
Voewood Festival
Voewood, Norfolk, 17 August 2014
Lesley Glaister will be speaking at Voewood Festival this summer. Details coming soon.
Summer 2014
Naomi Wood at Edinburgh Fringe
Hendrick’s Carnival of Knowledge, Edinburgh, 8 August 2014, 8pm
Naomi Wood will be joing four other speakers, each giving a 15 minute talk at 5×15’s signature event. Tickets include a cocktail.
Summer 2014
Jerwood Fiction Uncovered at The Word Factory’s Summer Party
Waterstones Piccadilly, London, 26 July 2014, 6pm- 8pm
The Word Factory’s 26 July salon at Waterstones Piccadilly will host an evening with the Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize 2014 winners Evie Wyld, Cynan Jones and Naomi Wood
Summer 2014
Latitude Festival
Henham Park, Suffolk, 19 July 2014
Naomi Wood will be speaking at Latitude Festival this July, details to come.
Summer 2014
Cynan Jones speaking at a British Council ‘Writers Return’ event in Swansea
The Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea, 9 July 2014, 7.30pm
Fflur Dafd, Owen Martell and Cynan Jones talk about their excursions in a discussion Chaired by Ted Hodgkinson.
Summer 2014
An evening with Naomi Wood at Waterstones Richmond
Waterstones, Richmond, 10 July 2014, 6.30pm
Join Naomi Wood for a discussion of her novel Mrs. Hemingway.
Summer 2014
Ways with Words Festival, Dartington
Dartington Hall, Dartington, 12 July 2014, 10am
Naomi Wood will be discussing Mrs. Hemingway at the Ways With Words Festival.
Summer 2014
Fiction Uncovered FM
Resonance104.4fm, 13 July 2014, 12 noon – 5pm
Fiction Uncovered’s annual radio station dedicated to discussing great British fiction will be returning to the airwaves on Sunday 13th July 2014.
Presented by Arifa Akbar, literary editor of The Independent and i newspapers and this year’s Chair of Judges, the special five-hour broadcast celebrates The Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize, and features prize-winning authors Lesley Glaister, Evie Wyld, Gareth R Roberts, Ben Brooks, Bernardine Evaristo, Naomi Wood, Cynan Jones, and many more guests to be announced.
Autumn 2013
Nikita Lalwani talk and signing in Swindon
Swindon Central Library, Tuesday 3 September 2013, 7.15pm
Nikita Lalwani will be talking about her work and signing copies of her books in the 2nd floor reading room from 7.15pm.
Summer 2013
Amy Sackville at Edinburgh Book Festival 2013
Charlotte Square Gardens, Edinburgh, Tuesday 13 August 2013
Amy Sackville reading at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, programme to be announced 20 June 2013.
Summer 2013
Fiction Uncovered at Wilderness Festival
Wilderness 2013 at Cornbury Park, Charlbury in Oxfordshire, 8 – 11 August 2013
This year we have teamed up with Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire to curate a special Fiction Uncovered event. The Fiction tent at this arts and music festival will feature several of the Fiction Uncovered 2013 authors speaking about their work.
Summer 2013
Amy Sackville in Ely
Topping Books in Ely, Tuesday 18 June 2013, 7.30PM
Amy Sackville talk on Orkney at Topping Books in Ely.
Summer 2013
Niven Govinden at The Book Group Bash in the Barn in Sussex
The Barn in Hellingley, Wednesday 26 June 2013, 7.00PM
Niven Govinden speaking at the Book Bash in The Barn, alongside our Fiction Uncovered 2013 judges Louise Doughty and Courttia Newland, who spoke about their own recently released novels (respectively); Apple Tree Yard and The Gospel According To Cane.
The event took place in Hellingly near Hailsham, nearest station Polegate.
Summer 2013
Anthony Cartwright with The Newham Bookshop
Coffee7, Forest Gate, London Wednesday 26 June 2013, 7.00PM
Anthony Cartwright reading at a Newham Bookshop event at Coffee7 in London.
Summer 2013
Amy Sackville in Orkney
The MacGillivray Room, Orkney Library, Wednesday 26 June 2013, 5.00PM
Author Amy Sackville at Orkney Library & Archive talking about her new book Orkney.
Summer 2013
Lucy Caldwell at York Festival of Ideas
Ireland: North and South, Wednesday 26 June 2013, 5.30PM
A panel of experts, comprising Lucy Caldwell, Eamonn Hughes, Margaret Kelleher and Keith Ridgway debate the polarity of Ireland, revealing the nuances of North and South in an Irish context.
Autumn 2012
Off the Shelf at Blacks, Soho
Off the Shelf at Blacks club in Soho was a literature collaboration between Blacks members club and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Books Committee, supported by Fiction Uncovered. It is a series of monthly, one day residencies for fiction writers – on the last Monday of the month. In autumn 2012 they included events with the following Fiction Uncovered authors:
29th October 2012 – Matt Thorne, Judge for Fiction Uncovered 2012
26th November 2012 – Tibor Fischer, selected for Fiction Uncovered 2012 with his title Crushed Mexican Spiders
For more information please email [email protected]
Autumn 2012
Fiction Uncovered at The Book Barge
Fiction Uncovered hosted a pop-up bookshop on the floating indie retailer The Book Barge on 22nd September 2012. Located at Broadway Market, on the Regent’s Canal, London – The Book Barge hosted a special day of Fiction Uncovered readings and events.
Spring/Summer 2012
Literary Death Match at Land of Kings Festival
Celebrating the hippest hottest neighbourhood in London town, May 4th marked Literary Death Match’s first love-in with Land of Kings Festival in the stunning surrounds of Dalston’s Arcola Theatre. Presented by Fiction Uncovered and sponsored by Picador, it’s a perfect setting for electrifying the audience with word-play genius, laughter and wonderment.
Hosted by LDM London co-producers Suzanne Azzopardi and Nicki Le Masurier.
Where: Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL (map)
When: Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm (sharp), afterdrinks after
Cost: Friday Pass: £20.00; 2-Day Pass: £30.00 (Passes ensure entrance to all festival venues in N16/E8. (6pm to 5am) Full program and line-up here.
Autumn 2011
Off the Shelf at Blacks, Soho
Off the Shelf at Blacks club in Soho is a new literature collaboration between Blacks members club and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Books Committee, supported by Fiction Uncovered. It’s a series of monthly, one day residencies for fiction writers – on the last Monday of the month. This autumn they include events with the following Fiction Uncovered authors:
26th September 2011 – Lindsay Clarke (The Water Theatre and Whitbread winner for The Chymical Wedding)
28th November 2011 – Jake Wallis Simons (The English German Girl)
Summer 2011
19th May 2011 – Shoreditch House Literary Salon
Damian Barr, on the judging panel for Fiction Uncovered 2011, hosted a Shoreditch House Literary Salon on the day we announced the eight titles selected for Fiction Uncovered.
Tim Pears, one of the selected Fiction Uncovered authors, joined Maggie O’Farrell and Rachel Cusk for this unique event. You can join Shoreditch House Literary Salon on Facebook.
Summer 2011
13th June 2011 – The Book Stops Here – Fiction Uncovered special
Already committed to showcasing our best British writers, The Book Stops Here hosted a Fiction Uncovered event in London on 13th June 2011.
Chris Paling, Catherine Hall and Jake Wallis Simons, selected for Fiction Uncovered 2011, all took part in this special Fiction Uncovered event.
Photograph: Fen Oswin
Summer 2011
Fiction Uncovered and Literary Death Match at Latitude Festival
Fiction Uncovered worked in association with the infamous Literary Death Match team to bring a special Fiction Uncovered event to the Latitude Festival 2011.
Jake Wallis Simons, selected for Fiction Uncovered 2011, joined other authors on stage for an incredible night of readings, judging and games to a packed out tent of festival-goers.
Photograph: Hugh Green