To mark the publication of queer enemies-to-lovers romance LOVER BIRDS, join Leanne Egan in conversation with fellow YA authors Elle McNicoll (SOME LIKE IT COLD; A KIND OF SPARK ), Theo Parish (HOMEBODY), and Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (ACE OF SPADES) as they discuss and celebrate the queer and neurodivergent identities in their YA fiction.
Chaired by author Rosie Talbot (SIXTEEN SOULS)
About the authors:
Leanne Egan (they/them) grew up in Liverpool before moving to London to pursue their MA in Publishing Studies. Shortly after graduating, the world fell apart, so mostly they've just been getting a lot of writing done. In addition to their debut novel Lover Birds, Leanne is the writer and producer of the scripted fiction podcast Tell No Tales, and when not working on one of their various projects, they’re probably doing something writing-adjacent, like inventing increasingly absurd characters for their friends’ Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
Elle McNicoll’s (she/her) debut novel A Kind of Spark, won the Blue Peter Book Award and the Overall Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, as well as Blackwell’s Book of 2020. She is twice Carnegie nominated, and was shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Awards 2020, the Branford Boase Award and The Little Rebels Award. Her novels have been published in the US and translated into multiple languages including Dutch, German, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Korean, Japanese, French and Turkish. A Kind Of Spark has been adapted for Television in partnership with 9Story and BBC Childrens, with the first season airing in the UK and US in 2023. Some Like It Cold is Elle's debut YA romance. Follow Elle on social media - @BooksandChokers and @ellemcnicollofficial
Theo Parish (they/them) is a non-binary author/ illustrator currently living in Norwich with their three cats. Driven by a passion for creating the kinds of stories they longed to see as a kid, Theo’s work is inspired by their love of fantasy and their experiences moving through the world as a queer and neurodivergent person. They can usually be found playing tabletop RPGs, building pillow forts or making friends with the neighbourhood cats. Homebody is their debut graphic memoir.
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (she/her) is the instant New York Times, international bestselling and award-winning author of ACE OF SPADES. She is an avid tea drinker, a collector of strange mugs and a graduate from a university in the Scottish Highlands where she received a BA in English Literature. Faridah also has an MA in Shakespeare Studies from King's College, London. When she isn't spinning dark tales, Faridah can be found examining the deeper meanings in Disney Channel original movies.
Event details:
- Doors open: 6:30pm
- Event begins: 7pm
Signings will be taking place in the bookshop following the event. Copies of the authors' books will be available for purchase on the night.
The event will be taking place in our downstairs event space which is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.