Our Panels
Discoveries: Demystifying Publishing at Edinburgh Women’s Fiction Festival
Friday 27 September — 12 to 1pm
Are you an aspiring writer? Or wondered how your favourite author came to be one? Join us for this exciting panel hosted in partnership with the Women’s Prize Discoveries, to help demystify the publishing industry, and offer top tips and practical guidance on how to get your foot in the door.
Discoveries is the Women’s Prize Trust’s writer development programme and prize for unagented and unpublished women writers working on a novel for adults, run in partnership with Audible, Curtis Brown Literary Agency, and the Curtis Brown Creative writing school.
The panel will feature Paige Cowan-Hall, winner of Discoveries 2023 and author of the Audible original, The Shouts Beneath; Ciara Finan, agent at Curtis Brown; and Rachel Morrell, Editor at Black & White Publishing. The event will be chaired by Annabelle Wright, Project Manager at the Women’s Prize Trust.
For more information about Discoveries, visit: www.womensprize.com/writers/discoveries.
An Insight Into Indie and Traditional Publishing with Julia Boggio, Jayne Castel & Elliot Fletcher — Chaired by Jane Anderson
Friday 27 September — 3:30 to 5pm
What are the differences between indie and traditional publishing? It's a hot topic in the book world right now. Three bestselling romance authors - Julia Boggio, Jayne Castel and Elliot Fletcher - join the festival's Jane Anderson to talk about their latest books, writing journeys, the popularity of the romance genre, and their decision to take publishing into their own hands!
Sponsored by IngramSpark
Unladylike and Scandalous Behaviour: Regency romance with Amita Murray and Emma Orchard — Chaired by Katrina Kendrick
Friday 27 September — 5:30 to 6:30pm
Historical romance has long placed women at the centre of the narrative, with the popularity of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer setting the trend and standing the test of time. Now, Bridgerton has taken the world by storm. So why is the Regency era such a swoon-worthy period?
Inspirational Voices: Maggie O’Farrell in conversation with Jenny Brown
Friday 27 September — 7 to 8pm
We are delighted to welcome award-winning author Maggie O'Farrell to close the first day of the Festival with a special conversation with leading Edinburgh literary agent Jenny Brown OBE, discussing works of women’s fiction and the authors that have inspired her own writing and reading habits.
Something Wicked This Way Comes: Witch trials in Scotland with CJ Cooke and Kate Foster — Chaired by Jean Menzies
Saturday 28 September — 10:30 to 11:30am
Witch Trials, a favourite topic from last year, returns to this year's festival with a Scotland-focused panel. CJ Cooke and Kate Foster join Ancient Historian and author Dr Jean Menzies to talk about their new books, The Book of Witching and The King's Witches, the witch mania that gripped 16th Century Scotland and the themes of female camaraderie and strength prominent in both books.
Modern Family: Love, drama, and defying family tradition with Melanie Cantor and Georgina Moore — Chaired by Claire Daverley
Saturday 28 September — 12 to 1pm
Melanie Cantor and Georgina Moore discuss the makings of a modern family and explore the themes of love, drama, and defying family tradition in their new books The F**k It List and The Garnett Girls.
Happy Ever After with Heidi Swain, Sharon Gosling and Rebecca Ryan — Chaired by Sara-Jade Virtue
Saturday 28 September — 2 to 3pm
Authors Sharon Gosling, Rebecca Ryan and Heidi Swain join Simon and Schuster's Sara-Jade Virtue to discuss their new feel-good novels, idyllic settings, love, life and answer some important questions - what is love and what makes a happily ever after?
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered: The magic and love of cosy fantasy with Nadia El-Fassi and Lucy Jane Wood — Chaired by Ann Landmann
Saturday 28 September — 3:30 to 4:30pm
Two debut authors Nadia El-Fassi and Lucy Jane Wood join us to celebrate the start of the witching season with their delightfully cosy fantasy novels, Best Hex Ever and Rewitched. With magic, uplifting themes of self-love, friendship, found family and a sprinkle of romance, these books are ones to curl up with this autumn.
Walking in the Shadow of Men: Bringing women to the centre of historical fiction with Lesley McDowell and Sara Sheridan — Chaired by Kim Sherwood
Saturday 28 September — 5 to 6pm
To close this year's author events, we’re delighted to welcome Sara Sheridan and Lesley McDowell to the stage. They join Kim Sherwood to discuss their new books, Clairmont and The Secrets of Blythswood Square, and the forgotten women of history walking in men's shadows.
