The Purple Shroud (the Theodora sequel, or the book for which Theodora is the prequel!) is published by Virago on 5th July (out in the US on September 25th)

I have a variety of readings & gigs this summer, here are the links/details:

20 June : I will be taking part in the International Short Story Day Chain Gang Challenge – South Africa vs Great Britain. 6 writers in each country, 6 hours to write one short story between each team, one hour each and then we pass it on to the next writer. I’m our starter at 9am, when I’ll be given a first line and then let loose for an hour or 400 words, whichever comes soonest.
Here are the details in case you have a writing group/team who’d like to join in too.

21 June : Virago Modern Classics publish Vita Sackville-West’s Challenge, with an introduction by me.

2 July : London in Writing, with Steven Berkoff, Stewart Home, Tom Vague & Sebastian Groes – not about the new book, but about London. (Am sure I’ll find a way to squeeze Constantinople in there somewhere!)

3 July : The Purple Shroud reading at Clapham Books, 7pm

5 July : whoop! The Purple Shroud is published.

9 July : Up The Junction at Whirled Cinema, Loughborough Junction with Sarah Quigley (The Conductor) and Suzanne Joinson (The Lady Cyclist’s Guide to Kashgar) – three historical novels, some lovely short films, drinks, local gig grooviness (hosted by me).

10 July : an event around the (re)publication of It’s Dark in London at the London Literature festival on the South Bank, with Alexei Sayle, Iain Sinclair, & Oscar Zarete. Again, nothing to do with Theodora, but I’m sure I can get her in there somewhere …

13 July : LFest – me, in a field, in a tent, Theodora-ing, 7.30pm.

14 July : also L-Fest, a screening of Jan’s Coming Out, followed by Q&A, 11am

after which I dash off and drive cross-country to :

14 July : Festival of History, Kelmarsh, with a Meet the Authors event at 6pm and

15 July : Great Queens, Women in Power 12.50pm, with Theresa Breslin, Karen Maitland, Kate Williams

from 1st August : this summer I’m also directing Philip Meeks’ ‘Murder, Marple and Me’ with Janet Prince, Gilded Balloon Teviot – Wee Room, 3.15pm, 1 – 26th August

17-19 August – Green Man Festival – actual time tbc

23 August – book reading at Shh, Hoxton with Rebecca Chance & Paul Burston

and that’s it for summer.
see you there?