Libraries Reveal All ‘Between The Lines’

Taking the very best in live literature on tour across the area, Between the Lines is a programme of talks and workshops by established and emerging women writers, taking place at libraries and venues across the East Riding between March and June.

Tuesday 3 March brings Yorkshire-born Hazel Gaynor to Beverley Library to talk about her new novel A Memory of Violets.

Hazel was recently named as one of the U.S. Library Journal’s Ten Big Breakout Authors for 2015 and the recipient of the 2012 Cecil Day Lewis award for Emerging Writers. Her debut novel, The Girl Who Came Home, a story of a group of Irish emigrants aboard HMS Titanic, was a USA Today and New York Times bestseller.

Hornsea Library will host Stephanie Butland on Wednesday 18 March, a successful novelist and professional trainer who uses her unique skills and first-hand experience to support people with cancer. Her debut novel Surrounded by Water was described by best-selling novelist, Katie Fforde, as “immensely powerful and ultimately uplifting”.

Wednesday 6 May welcomes acclaimed historian Juliet Barker to Holme Village Hall as she introduces England, Arise, her fascinating and evocative account of medieval life that illuminates a volatile England on the verge of social change. Juliet specialises in the Middle Ages and literary biography, and her books include The Brontës and best-seller, Agincourt.

Multi-talented Ellen Phethean is a sound artist, poet, playwright, editor, teacher and co-founder of Diamond Twig Press. Ellen visits North Bridlington Library on Friday 19 June for a poetry workshop and reading. This special event, in partnership with Bridlington Poetry Festival, will take the unusual format of a workshop and poetry reading, allowing participants to involve themselves fully in Ellen’s creative world.

The final event brings Mslexia founder and editorial director Debbie Taylor to Bridlington Library on Tuesday 23 June to discuss her new novel, Herring Girls. Debbie has written extensively for Oxfam, UNICEF, Anti-Slavery and the World Health Organisation on women’s experiences of wider social issues, and her critically acclaimed previous novels include The Fourth Queen and Hungry Ghosts.

Wordquake and Beverley Literature Festival Director, Dorcas Taylor, said:

‘We’re delighted to be able to showcase such a compelling and diverse programme of contemporary women writers to audiences across the East Riding as part of our Festival on the Run programme. We want to bring the very best in writing to our libraries so everyone, no matter where they live, can have the opportunity to find out about these fascinating books and what makes these authors tick.’

Tracey Booth, Reader Development Librarian for East Riding Libraries, said:

‘East Riding Libraries are delighted to have such an eclectic group of writers visiting our libraries. Their visits are a wonderful opportunity for people to have access to high quality and popular authors at a very personal and local level.’

Tickets are on sale now and cost £4 for Ellen Phethean and £2 for all other events, and are available online at www.bevlit.org, by phoning the box office on 01482 392699 (Monday – Thursday, 9am – 4.45pm, Friday, 9am – 4pm) or in person at the library hosting the event.