How to Write Compelling Short Stories – Bristol-based Johanna Spiers is a novelist and proofreader. Her short stories about horrible people doing horrible things have been shortlisted for various awards. For Old Fish, Johanna was awarded the Samson Prize for the highest placed Bristol author in the 2022 Bristol Short Story Competition (and third prize overall). She is working on a dark, funny psychological thriller about a snarky barmaid whose ex declares her dead online – and now he’s coming for her IRL! Johanna also writes academic articles, the occasional jocular poem, DJs hip hop and believes yoga is the solution to most problems. Moderator Chrissey Harrison 11.15 am – 12.15 pm Room 2 Community Centre BS21 7SZ £5 Ages 12 to 100!
Making the Medieval Book – Chris Arnison gives an illustrated talk, bringing along examples of bookbinding, with a particular focus on medieval books, who created them and how. He lives and works in Gloucestershire. Chris has been binding and repairing books for more than 40 years. He has a particular interest in early binding methods and materials. 1pm – 2pm Room 2 £5
Writing for Children with Tracey Corderoy – Tracey knew NOTHING about writing for children when she started out, other than she desperately wanted to do it! Join Tracey as she takes you on a writer’s journey: the dos, the don’ts, the quite possibly maybes. (Her rejection folders in the early years were impressively, depressingly heavy!) Now, 13 years into the journey, Tracey has published 75 books and won multiple awards. She is excited to share this marvellous rollercoaster journey with you. 2.30pm – 3.30pm £5