Hearth Festival at Gladstone's Library

A while ago, prompted by my previous publicist Karen Bultiauw, I applied to be the Writer-In-Residence at the famous Gladstone's Library. I was lucky enough to be short-listed, but I didn't get selected. However, as a result of the application, I was invited to be a speaker at the Hearth Festival which took place in early February at the library.

The other writers selected were Sarah Rarlow, author of The Acheaelolgy of Loss, Deborah Alma, the Emergency Poet and Poetry Pharmacist and Carole Hailey, author of The Silence Project. Here we all are along with Gladstone's Warden, Andrea Russell and the organiser of Hearth, Louisa Yates. 

Before arriving at Gladstone's (for the first time) I read the books written by my fellow speakers and was blown away. When the time came I felt slightly intimidated and I was pleased that my great writing friend, Kirsty Collinson was able to come with me on the adventure. Nevertheless, I was the only Children's Author and the other author's books were so powerfully profound - what did I have to contribute? But then I remembered the power of children's books. We are not the weaker relation, far from it. We set the lifelong love of books in those early, formative years. Our writing is powerful and memorable. In the end I needn't of worried - I fitted in just fine but I felt truly honoured and humbled to be included in such an amazing event. 

If you get the chance I do recommend staying at Gladstone's Library and if you use Bookshop.org to buy books (please don't use Amazon) then consider choosing Gladstone's as your beneficiary. They really do run wonderful opportunities for writers and readers alike.