If you’re an undiscovered author or book fan seeking an event where you can network with fellow literary minds and hear first chapter readings by emerging novelists then look no further than Novel London, which runs every first Friday of the month. Organised by creative writer Safeena Chaudhry, it has been running since 2015 during which she has managed to fit in penning her own debut novel Companions of Clay.
This month’s event at Waterstone’s, Covent Garden featured three novelists: Elizabeth Woodcraft has gone from council estate mod to barrister to award winning novelist, and read from Beyond The Beehive. Christopher Bowden’s The Purple Shadow has a lot to live up to, his previous work having already received praise from such recognisable names as actor Sir Derek Jacobi, Julian Fellowes, and Andrew Marr. Laxmi Hariharan writes paranormal bestsellers that top the New York Times and USA Today rankings, with urban fantasy Taken – A Many Lives novel seeking to match this success.
After the readings they were all available for book signings and to share the inspiration behind their work. When Christopher Bowden was asked to elaborate on his preference for colour themes in all his novels he explained that in previous work such as The Green Door the protagonist literally opened an existing green door which had relevance in their life and his current literary mystery The Purple Shadow takes this to a new level. In this novel you are whisked through the cultural capitals of England and France with 1930s theatre and cinema significantly featured.
The event proved so popular there was standing room only this month but aspiring authors can rest assured that they will get a platform in front of that audience rather than merely sitting with them if they apply early with details of the novel they wish to read from.
