Join Swindon Libraries for a very special event on Thursday 20th April to mark World Book Night, an annual celebration of reading which aims to reach people who don’t regularly pick up a book.
Run every 23rd April (so this is technically a pre-World Book Night…or a pre-booking if you will) by national charity The Reading Agency, World Book Night is committed to reaching the millions of people in the UK who don’t regularly read for pleasure or own books.
It is obviously a great delight and honour to welcome Kimberley Chambers to headline a pre-World Book Night evening of crime and intrigue on Thursday 20th April, from 6.30-8.30pm at Central Library.
“At the grand old age of 38…an idea came to me. ‘I’m gonna try and write a novel..’ As I’d left school with virtually no exams, had worked on the markets for years, tried my luck as a DJ and was then driving a mini-cab around, I wondered if I was capable of such a triumph. But the following Monday, I picked up a pen and paper and Billie Jo was born. My family laughed when I told them…”~ Kimberley Chambers
There will also be multiple copies of Sunday Times #1 bestselling author Kimberley Chamber’s Payback to distribute around Swindon.
The inspirational Kimberley Chambers is now a full-time writer, and author of eleven novels. Tainted Love was a Sunday Times #1 bestseller in hardback, spent 4 consecutive weeks in the top ten and is her biggest selling hardback to date.
Her explosive new novel Backstabber looks likely to exceed this and so it is extremely exciting to have her visiting Swindon now for who knows where the success of this book will take her.
There will be a Q& A session with Kimberley, followed by an opportunity to meet the author as she signs her books.
The evening will also have a local flavour, provided by special guest speakers, Leonard Curtis and Frances Bevan
Leonard Curtis: Two Shades of Blue and a Trilby, the autobiography of former Swindon police officer Leonard Curtis provides a fascinating insight not only into growing up in Swindon, but also to a colourful life in the Royal Navy and as a detective for Swindon CID. We are delighted to welcome Mr. Curtis for a talk and lively Q&A session.
Frances Bevan: In the early 1900s two crimes shocked Swindon. In 1903, Edward Palmer, walked into the Ship Inn on Westcott Place, ordered a bottle of Bass, then shot dead the 19-year-old barmaid, Esther Swinford.
A memorial at Radnor Street was paid for by the people of Swindon. In 1914, Frances Hunter, was working as a maid at the Goddard Arms when her lover Walter White murdered her. There was no public sympathy for Frances, and no elaborate memorial. Instead, local people wrote letters demanding a stay of execution for Walter! Just why did these young ladies elicit such different reactions from the public? Join respected local Swindon writer and historian Frances Bevan to find out more….
When: Thursday 20th April 2017
6.30—6.50pm Leonard Curtis
6.55 – 7.15pm Frances Bevan
7.15-7.30pm Refreshments provided
7.30-8.30pm Kimberley Chambers, Q&A plus book signing.
Where: Central Library (2nd Floor Reading Room), Regent Circus, Swindon, SN1 1QG.
Tickets: £4.00 (library members) / £5.00 (non-members) available from the Ground Floor Help Desk at Central Library (Tel: 01793 463238) or any SBC library.
Also available online via Eventbrite.
A range of Kimberley’s books will be available to purchase, and/or pick up a free copy of Payback, (while stocks last) on the night.
