This May, in the bustling seaside town of Whitstable, a wonderful new Literary Festival will be born, and it's name is WhitLit. The hard-working and visionary creator, Victoria Falconer, has organised an amazing variety of writers and events. It opens with a play about the life of Somerset Maugham who had a strong connection with Whitstable (Thursday 8) and concludes on Sunday 11 with a full interview with actor-turned-crime writer, John Gordon Sinclair. If you'd like to see exactly who and what is on throughout this literary extravaganza, and purchase tickets, please follow this link:WhitLit
You won't be disappointed.
I am thrilled to be hosting two very exciting events at WhitLit. The first is called "Transformers" to be held at The Horsebridge Centre, Whitstable, on Saturday 10, 4-30 to 5-30pm. It will consisit of a full discussion about transformations in society (good and bad) during the Victorian era, as viewed by three exceptional historical crime writers: D.E. Meredith, Lloyd Shepherd and Wendy Wallace. I have read much of their work, all of it thoroughly intriguing and enjoyable, and each writer has a different 'take' on the period itself. Their historical novels are mesmerising. As a former historian, now fiction-writer, I for one have many questions to ask them, not least why and how they set their books in this period. Why not come along and ask your own questions too..? For more details about the event, the authors and their books, please follow this link:"Transformers" event, Sat May 10
D.E. Meredith
Lloyd Shepherd
Wendy Wallace
I shall be wrapping up WhitLit this year with a BIG interview with the very talented John Gordon Sinclair. Those as old as me (though this isn't too old!), might remember John as the affable and lovesick "Gregory" in the successful Bill Forsyth film, Gregory's Girl. Since then, he has gone on to win acclaim for performances on the stage as well as featuring in Hollywood blockbusters such as World War Z alongside Brad Pitt. But what's this got to do with Literarature...? Well, the buzz around John at the moment is his amazing talent as a crime writer. His first novel, Seventy Times Seven, has been called "one of the finest debuts of the decade", and his second, Blood Whispers, is sure to be just as well received. I can honestly say that both books are the best films I've read in many years, so visual is his style.
As his host and interviewer (Sunday 11 May, 7-30 to 8-30pm), I was allowed privileged access to Blood Whispers before its official release by Faber and Faber in May/June. All I can say is...if you like your crime novels fast-paced and unpredictable, your characters rounded, and are not too squeamish about violence, you must buy this novel...it is a hell of a ride!
I shall be talking to John about his transition from acting to crime writing, the style and substance of his two exciting novels, his influences and motivations, and maybe even his new image! This is John Gordon Sinclair as you probably haven't seen him before. Why not come along and hear what he has to say too? Details as follows: John Gordon Sinclair event
John Gordon Sinclair
I can't wait to host my two events at the inaugural Whitstable Literary Festival. This town has a lot of writers, but come May, it will be full to the rafters with them...hurrah!
AFM
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