The Town Crier's House – 2018

Events related to Frances Hardinge and her work.

Shadows and Suffragettes: An Evening with Frances Hardinge and Sally Nicholls

13th February at 19.00

Frances and Sally appeared at Waterstones Norwich on Castle Street to discuss their latest books, A Skinful of Shadows and Things a Bright Girl Can Do. More details can be found here.

Undiscovered Voices Launch Party

22nd February

Every two years, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators organises 'Undiscovered Voices', a competition for unpublished and unagented children's writers and illustrators living in the EU. An anthology is then published containing novel extracts and artwork from the shortlisted authors and illustrators.

This year there were two honorary chairs for Undiscovered Voices, Frances as writers' chair and Alexis Deacon as illustrators' chair. Frances gave a speech to celebrate the launch of the anthology.

Hong Kong International Young Reader's Festival

1st–11th March

Frances ran extensive workshops with local students on the theme of the Gothic.

Oxford Literary Festival

17th March, 12.00pm in the Oxford Martin School Lecture Theatre

Frances talked about her latest book, A Skinful of Shadows.

Bologna Book Fair

26th–28th March

The Italian edition of The Lie Tree, published by Mondadori, was shortlisted for the Premio Strega Ragazze e Ragazzi, a prestigious Italian prize! Frances attended the award ceremony at the Bologna Book Fair, and also made some visits to local schools.

The Philippa Pearce Lecture

19th April

Frances was deeply honoured to give the Philippa Pearce Lecture this year. Her lecture was titled "Peopling the Dark", and discussed unseen and half-seen figures of menace and malice in children's literature.

A Skinful of Shadows Paperback Tour

8th May, 18.30–20.00

Ghost Tour and Talk at Waterstones Lincoln

At 18.30pm, Frances gave an introductory talk at Waterstones Lincoln on the High Street. This was followed by a tour arranged by Lincoln Ghost Walks, so everyone could find out about local ghost stories!

9th May, 19.00–20.30

Ghost Walk Bookshop Tour and Talk at Blackwells Oxford

Frances gave a talk at Blackwells bookshop on Broad Street, discussing her inspirations for A Skinful of Shadows. Therel followed a tour of the historic bookshop, where ghostly sightings had allegedly been spotted after hours…

10th May, 18.00–20.15

Ghost Tour and Talk at Waterstones Salisbury

Frances gave a short talk on A Skinful of Shadows at Waterstones Salisbury, which was followed by a ghost walk arranged by Timezone Tours.

11th May, 18.15–20.30

Ghost Walk and Book Signing at Waterstones Bath

Frances gave a short introductory talk at the Waterstones on Milsom Street. This was followed by a ghost walk, then a signing back at the bookshop.

Barnes Children's Literature Festival

12th–13th May

Frances appeared at St Mary's Church, in conversation with Hannah Beckerman, to discuss her writing life and A Skinful of Shadows.

Hay Festival

28th May 2018, 2.30pm, Llwyfan Cymru – Wales Stage

In Conversation with Georgina Goodwin

Frances and Georgina discussed A Skinful of Shadows.

Wimpole History Festival 2018

23rd June, 1.30–2.30pm, Rathbones Marquee

Frances discussed A Skinful of Shadows, and her inspirations for the book.

Mal Peet Lecture at FLY

10th July, 9.45–10.45am

At the UEA Festival of Literature for Young people (FLY) Frances gave the Mal Peet Lecture.

Edge Lit Festival, Derby

14th July

Frances was one of the Guests of Honour for Edge-Lit, alongside CF Iggulden, Paul Tremblay and Adrian J Walker!

14.00–15.00, Cinema Two

Guest of Honour session – interview and Q&A

15.00–16.00, The Sir John Hurt Cinema

Panel: The Rule Of Three: What Is The Appeal Of The Trilogy, And Will It Ever Fade?
Panellists: Rod Duncan, Frances Hardinge, Vic James (Chair), Mark Latham, Jen Williams

Shakespeare's Telling Tales

27th July

4.30-5.30pm, Nancy Knowles Lecture Theatre

Frances gave a talk about her books, as part of the Shakespeare's Telling Tales family festival at the Globe.

YALC

28th July

Frances appeared at the Young Adult Literary Convention, which once again occurred as part of the London Film and Comic Con at Olympia London.

10.00–11.00, Main Stage

Panel: Growing up in the past
Panellists: Keren David, Laura Wood, Lucy Adlington and Frances Hardinge.

Edinburgh International Book Festival

25th August

18.00–19.00, Baillie Gifford Imagination Lab

Panel: Freedom to Write: The Role of YA Fiction
Panellists: Frances Hardinge, Teri Terry and William Sutcliffe, supported by Youth Libraries Group Scotland.

26th August

11.00–12.00, Garden Theatre

Frances Hardinge and Marcus Sedgwick: Shadows and Monsters.

17.30–18.15, Baillie Gifford Corner Theatre

Amnesty International Imprisoned Writers Series: Faith in the Future.

Internationales Literaturefestival Berlin

11th-13th September

Frances was one of the authors involved in the children's programme for Berlin's international literature festival. She appeared in several 'in conversation' events at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele, and met students who presented her with the wonderful results of their workshops!

DeptCon 4, Dublin

12th October, 6pm at Pavilion Theatre

DeptCon is Ireland's biggest YA book convention, and is organised by Department 51 of Easons Ireland. Frances appeared on a decidedly feminis panel alongside Samantha Shannon and Melinda Salisbury, ably chaired by Sarah Griff.

The British School of Brussels Book Week

16th–19th October

The British School of Brussels has a student population made up of 70 nationalities, and every two years holds a vast Book Week to celebrate all things literary. Frances attended, talking to students about the 'monstrous' aspects of her own work.

Write Idea Festival

17th November, 2.30-3.30pm, Idea Store Whitechapel

Frances will be discussing A Skinful of Shadows in an 'in conversation' event at the Write Idea Festival, East London's free reading festival.