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Introduction:
When I first had the idea of a virtual book festival it was in response to my frustration with some real world book festivals which no longer seem to be about books, authors and readers. One festival in particular which I’ve attended in the past, and where I’ve enjoyed events given by lots of different authors had nothing on this year’s programme that appealed to me.
The 2019 list was made up mainly of celebrities, television presenters and politicians, not all of whom had even written a book – and the few actual writers who were included didn’t include any who write genre fiction.
So I found myself thinking about who I would include if I was organising a festival. I reckoned I’d like authors from several genres, I’d like some people from the wonderfully supportive book-blogging community, and perhaps a couple of publishing professionals too.
And that then developed into the idea of using my blog to host a virtual festival.
Although I knew who I’d like to invite, I wasn’t at all sure they’d want to take part. So I was pleasantly surprised and very grateful that so many of those I invited have agreed to take part – and not only agreed but seemed very enthusiastic about it too.
The participants will be doing a variety of interviews and features and there will be novel extracts, a couple of book giveaways (UK only) and lots of insights into how a book comes together.
So here, without further ado, is the programme of events and the dates each virtual event will be posted for you to read, comment on and share.
Programme
July 1st Helen Forbes – Crime Author
July 3rd John Hudspith – Book Editor
July 8th Kate Blackadder – Magazine Serial Writer
July 10th Jane Dixon Smith – Book and Cover Designer
July 15th Jane Davis – Literary Fiction Author
July 17th Joanne Baird – Book Blogger
July 22nd Trish Nicholson – Non-Fiction Author
July 24th Linda Hill – Book Blogger
July 29th Linda Gillard – Literary Romance Author
August 2nd Alison Morton – Alternative History Author
August 5th Darlene Foster – Children’s Author
August 7th JJ Marsh – Crime Author
August 9th Anne Stormont – Contemporary Romance Author
August 12th Anne Williams – Book Blogger
August 18th Maggie Christensen – Contemporary Romance Author
August 19th Kate Noble – Book Blogger
August 21st Anne Stenhouse – Historical Romance Author
August 23rd Kelly Lacey – Book Blogger & Blog Tour Organiser
August 26th Heidi Swain – Contemporary Romance Author
August 27th Kathryn Freeman – Contemporary Romance Author
August 28th Kate Field – Contemporary Romance Author
August 29th Sue McDonagh – Contemporary Romance Author
August 30th Claire Baldry – Contemporary Romance Author
August 31st End of Festival Look Back & Celebration