Alan Bilton will discuss Russia, War and Madness in The End of The Yellow House, followed by a Creative Writing Workshop, Brynaman Library, Friday 26th January, 10.30.
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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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‘ 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 will be discussing Magic Realism and Dream Fiction in a hands-on Creative Writing Workshop, Swansea Central Library, Saturday October 14th, 11-12. All welcome!
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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
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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How To Plot Your Novel
Swansea Central Library, Thursday 21st September, 5-6.30
Alan Bilton will be running a Creative Writing workshop on ‘How To Plot Your Novel’ at Swansea Central Library, Thursday 21st September, 5-6.30, All welcome! You can pre-book via the library at 01792 636464
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You can read about the US launch of Edward Matthews’ Border Memories, including a fascinating interview exploring the book at https://viewpoint.pointloma.edu/viewing-the-border-as-a-space-for-transformation-in-eddie-matthews-border-memories/
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‘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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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.
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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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:
* Please note this event will be delivered in English
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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:
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Edward Matthews will be signing copies of his terrific literary thriller, set on the US/Mexican border in the near future, at Cover to Cover, Mumbles, Swansea, on Saturday 18th March at 2pm. All welcome!
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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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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
Carolyn Lewis talks about her short story collection, ‘Some Sort of Twilight’ with Bristol 24/7, including an exclusive extract.
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Alan Bilton will be in conversation with the wonderful Kamila Shamsie at the Winter Hay Festival on Saturday 26th November at 2,30, discussing her new novel, ‘Best of Friends’. https://www.hayfestival.com/winter-weekend/home
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War, Russia, Madness: the themes of Alan Bilton’s dreamlike take on the historical novel can be seen as an uncanny mirror of our own troubled times. Madness has been described as “the Russian disease”, and Bilton explores the theme through Russian literature and history, exploring ideas of “the Holy Fool” and the roots of the Slavic Soul.
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Cultural Institute – Literary Salon Series
Wednesday 19th October 2022 | 7pm – 8pm | Taliesin Centre
‘Connective Tissue’
Jane Fraser in conversation with Alan Bilton
This collection of short fiction aims to define the sometimes indefinable and to give voice to those struggling to make sense of what life throws at them. The stories are tragic and comi-tragic, but all reveal the strength and complexity of the human spirit.
Jane Fraser
Jane Fraser is an award-winning fiction writer, based in the Gower peninsula, south Wales. Her debut novel Advent, published by Honno (2021), won the 2022 Society of Authors’ Paul Torday Memorial Prize. Her first collection of short fiction, The South Westerlies, was published by Salt (2019) and her second collection from Salt, Connective Tissue, is forthcoming in October 2022.
REGISTER HERE:
https://bit.ly/connectivetissue2022