Alan Bilton on 'Planning the Perfect Crime (Novel)'

Join us at the inspirational Landmark Trust property, The Threshing BarnLlwyn Celyn for an exciting event delving into the world of crime fiction and narrative.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a curious reader, this event is perfect for anyone interested in the art of crafting compelling crime stories. Learn from author and lecturer in Creative Writing at Swansea University, Dr Alan Bilton, and join The Hay Writers’ Circle to immerse yourself in the thrilling world of mysteries and suspense. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore the secrets behind plotting the perfect crime!

This workshop is open for anyone to attend but pre-booking is essential.

Tickets from https://thehaywriters.wordpress.com/

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Alan Bilton talks to thriller writer Morgan Greene at Waterstones Swansea

Alan Bilton will be in conversation with the terrific thriller writer Morgan Greene, discussing his dark new thriller, Savage Ridge, at Waterstones, Swansea, Wednesday 17th April, 6pm. Just a few tickets left!

https://www.waterstones.com/events/morgan-greene-author-of-savage-ridge-in-conversation-with-alan-bilton/swansea

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Alan Bilton Talks to Anne Lauppe-Dunbar Waterstones Swansea Thursday 9th November 6pm

Alan Bilton will be in conversation about ‘The Shape of Her’, ‘The End of The Yellow House’, historical fiction and thrillers at Waterstones Swansea, Thursday 9th November, 9pm. Free tickets from Anne Lauppe-Dunbar in conversation with Alan Bilton - Swansea Tickets, Thu 9 Nov 2023 at 18:00 | Eventbrite

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Alan Bilton Talks about Getting Published and Plotting Your Novel at the Dylan Thomas Centre

Join Alan Bilton for two free creative writing workshop at the Dylan Thomas Centre. Saturday November 4 & 11th 10.30-12.30

Plotting Your Novel
You may have a great idea for a book - but how do you turn it into a 200-page novel? This hands-on workshop looks at how to plot and structure a novel, from how to shape a narrative, to issues of rhythm, pace, and drama. It explores the best ways of mapping out a long piece of fiction and explores the elements that will keep your readers turning the page. https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/dylanthomas/plotting-your-novel-a-workshop-for-adults-with-alan-bilton/e-pxdzad

Getting Published

Publishing may be more accessible and diverse than ever, but getting your work into print can still seem like banging on a locked door. This practical and hands-on workshop looks at self-publishing, independents, agents, and rights, and also gives you a chance to pitch your ideas and polish up your new proposal. https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/dylanthomas/getting-published-a-workshop-for-adults-with-alan-bilton/e-dglrav

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Alan Bilton Talks to Catherine Fisher and Cathy Faulkner, Children's Literature Festival

Alan Bilton will be talking to Cathy Faulkner and Catherine Fisher about their terrific new books, Digging for Victory and The Red Gloves (Firefly) at the Children’s Literature Festival, Swansea Waterfront Musuem, Sunday 8th October, 4pm.

You can book free tickets at https://www.swansea.ac.uk/cultural-institute/events/childrens-literature-festival-2023/events-and-booking/ 

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The Known and Unknown Sea and Anywhere Out of The World now available @ABiltonAuthor

The Known and Unknown Sea

Anywhere Out of the World

now in stock from Watermark

Thanks to our friends at Cillian Press, you can now order copies of Alan Bilton’s earlier books - his Magic Realist story of one boy’s trip to the shadowy ‘other side’, The Known and Unknown Sea, and his collection of comic, absurd, surrealist short stories, Anywhere Out of The World.

Both are available from the Watermark store. Limited numbers, so pick up a copy today!

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Alan Bilton talks to Catrin Kean @ABiltonAuthor @kean_Catrin

‘SALT’

 

Cultural Institute presents: author

Catrin Kean in conversation with

Alan Bilton

 

Catrin Kean has had her short stories published in Riptide Journal, Bridge House Publishing and The Ghastling. Her first novel, Salt, was the Wales Book Of The Year winner in 2021 and she is currently working on her second which is due to be published in 2024. She is also working on a feature film script and a collection of short ghost stories. Kean lives in the Garw valley with her partner and three ridgeback dogs.

 

Salt is based on the lives of Kean’s great-grandparents, who married in 1878.

 

It is their love story.

 

Cardiff in the late 1800s is grimy, crowded and grey, and Ellen, a domestic, dreams of escaping her dreary life there for the sea. When she falls in love with Samuel, a ship’s cook from Barbados, she is able to fulfil her fantasy by running away with him on a ship. Life at sea is brutal and dangerous, but it is a place where they can be free… Until circumstances force Ellen home, and the hardships of working class life and racism begin to poison their lives.

 

In partnership with Cover to Cover

Please note: Event delivered in English

 

To find out more and book your free tickets click here:
bit.ly/SaltCatrinKean

 

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Alan Bilton to host International Dylan Thomas Prize ceremony 2023 @ABiltonAuthor

We’re delighted to announce that Alan Bilton will host this year’s International Dylan Thomas Prize at The Great Hall, Swansea University, on Thursday May 11th.

Launched in 2006, the annual Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize is one of the most prestigious awards for young writers, aimed at encouraging raw creative talent worldwide. It celebrates and nurtures international literary excellence.

It is one of the UK’s most prestigious literary prizes as well as one of the world’s largest literary prizes for young writers. Awarded for the best published literary work in the English language, written by an author aged 39 or under, the Prize celebrates the international world of fiction in all its forms including poetry, novels, short stories and drama.

The prize is named after the Swansea-born writer, Dylan Thomas, and celebrates his 39 years of creativity and productivity. One of the most influential, internationally-renowned writers of the mid-twentieth century, the prize invokes his memory to support the writers of today and nurture the talents of tomorrow.

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Alan Bilton runs Historical Fiction Workshop @Hay @ABiltonAuthor @thehaywriters

Apr 20

Writing Historical Fiction

A hands-on, interactive workshop exploring different kinds of historical fiction

By The Hay Writers

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Date and time

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 11:30 - 16:00 BST

Location

The Threshing Barn Llwyn Celyn Cwmyoy Abergavenny NP7 7NE

The past is another country - but what does it mean to visit it? This hands-on, interactive workshop explores different kinds of historical fiction - from the most scrupulously authentic to the playful and parodic - exploring research, worldbuilding, language, voice and character. How do we build a fictional time-machine? How strange or familiar should the past seem? And what is the nature of historical 'truth'?

Writing Historical Fiction Tickets, Thu 20 Apr 2023 at 11:30 | Eventbrite

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Carole Hailey in Conversation with Alan Bilton @CaroleAHailey @ABiltonAuthor

THE SILENCE PROJECT

Thursday 30 March

19:00-20:00
Taliesin Create

 

A BBC RADIO 2 BOOKCLUB PICK
'Engrossing and original, political and unpredictable, ‘The Silence Project’ will get people talking' - Bernardine Evaristo


Monster. Martyr. Mother.
On Emilia Morris's thirteenth birthday, her mother Rachel moves into a tent at the bottom of their garden. From that day on, she never says another word. Inspired by her vow of silence, other women join her and together they build the Community. Eight years later, Rachel and thousands of her followers around the world burn themselves to death.

In the aftermath of what comes to be known as the Event, the Community's global influence quickly grows. As a result, the whole world has an opinion about Rachel - whether they see her as a callous monster or a heroic martyr - but Emilia has never voiced hers publicly. Until now.

When she publishes her own account of her mother's life in a memoir called ‘The Silence Project,’ Emilia also decides to reveal just how sinister the Community has become. In the process, she steps out of Rachel's shadow once and for all, so that her own voice may finally be heard.

About the author
Carole Hailey completed an MA in Creative and Life Writing at Goldsmiths, University of London and a PhD in Creative Writing at Swansea University before being selected by the London Library as a 2020/21 Emerging Writer. The Silence Project was chosen for the Radio 2 Book Club hosted by Zoe Ball on her Breakfast Show and on BBC Sounds. It was published In February 2023 by Corvus, an imprint of Atlantic Books, and is their 2023 Lead Debut. The Silence Project was shortlisted for the Bridport Prize First Novel Award.

To register for FREE tickets:

CLICK HERE

 

* Please note this event will be delivered in English

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Edward Matthews in conversation with Alan Bilton, Swansea University, @eddiematthews22 @ABiltonAuthor

BORDER MEMORIES

Monday 20 March

19:00-20:00
Taliesin Create

Singleton Campus

 

Edward Matthews is a writer based in San Diego, California. He earned his PhD in Creative Writing from Swansea University in 2020. Border Memories is his first novel.

 

A staggeringly original and imaginative exploration of memory, identity and loss, set on the US/Mexican border in the near future"


Sol Andrews works for a San Diego start-up that traffics in the underground memory trade—harvesting memories from donors in Mexico and implanting them in Americans. He inherited the job from his brother, whose recent suicide left a hole in his life.

Sol’s newest client is Mr Bray—old, rich, well-connected, blind. Mr Bray has heard rumors of a mysterious graveyard in Tijuana where miracles are said to occur, a place that could restore his sight. He has tracked down a young librarian who knows the graveyard—Nora Rincón—but its location is buried in a childhood memory.

 

To register for FREE tickets:

CLICK HERE

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Alan Bilton talks to Emily Vanderploeg about Strange Animals @ABiltonAuthor @dippy_dumpling

STRANGE ANIMALS

Thursday 9 March

19:00-20:00

 

‘Reading Strange Animals feels a bit like rummaging around in someone's well-travelled backpack full of old photographs, seashells, tarot, and countless precious found objects collected for "the passing of knowledge”. A brilliant new voice.’ – Roberto Pastore, Hey Bert (Parthian Books, 2019)

 

A Canadian grandchild of Dutch and Hungarian immigrants, in Strange Animals, Emily Vanderploeg explores issues of language, ritual, death and identity.

 

Published by Parthian in 2022 Strange Animals charts the author’s journey from childhood home to settling across an ocean, moving through the vagaries of modern love as she travels to new cities and a newfound maturity.

 

Originally from Aurora, Ontario, and a graduate of Swansea University, Emily now lives in Swansea, where she teaches creative writing to children and adults.

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Alan Bilton talks to Fflur Dafydd about The Library Suicides @FflurDafydd @ABiltonAuthor

Thursday 16 February

19:00-20:00

Mumbles Tabernacle

Award winning novelist, screenwriter and musician Fflur Dafydd in conversation with Alan Bilton, author and Senior Lecturer of English Literature and Creative Writing at Swansea University.


Hauntingly written, with a fresh, captivating voice, The Library Suicides is an intensely memorable and provocative literary listen for fans of high concept thrillers that break the mould, and books about books and the concept of the written word.


To find out more and book your free tickets click here:
bit.ly/librarysuicides

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