A Super Time in Salisbury

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It was a joy and an honor, very challenging and very fun, to be part of the Salisbury Literary Festival again this year. Not only did I get to run a mini version of my Improv for Writers workshop as a warm-up activity to the Writers’ Day on Sunday, I also interviewed three TERRIFIC authors – Claire Fuller, Caoilinn Hughes, and Matt Haig – on Saturday. (Thank you to Andrew Gurnett for the great photos!)

Here is Claire Fuller reading from her extremely atmospheric, tense new novel, Bitter Orange. Her other novels are Swimming Lessons and Our Endless Numbered Days.

Here is Claire Fuller reading from her extremely atmospheric, tense new novel, Bitter Orange. Her other novels are Swimming Lessons and Our Endless Numbered Days.

And here is Caoilinn Hughes discussing her debut, Orchid & the Wasp, and how difficult it is for people to accept an ambitious female character whose decisions can’t be traced back to some sort of trauma. She is also a poet, with an award-winnin…

And here is Caoilinn Hughes discussing her debut, Orchid & the Wasp, and how difficult it is for people to accept an ambitious female character whose decisions can’t be traced back to some sort of trauma. She is also a poet, with an award-winning collection called Gathering Evidence.

The setting for the evening event – Salisbury Cathedral – was so dramatic, it deserves its own photograph.

The setting for the evening event – Salisbury Cathedral – was so dramatic, it deserves its own photograph.

Hundreds of people await the arrival of Matt Haig, whose newest work for adults, Notes on a Nervous Planet, offers thoughts and strategies for anxious readers. His just-out book for kids, The Truth Pixie, does the same, via a charming story.

Hundreds of people await the arrival of Matt Haig, whose newest work for adults, Notes on a Nervous Planet, offers thoughts and strategies for anxious readers. His just-out book for kids, The Truth Pixie, does the same, via a charming story.

Matt Haig, on stage! It was an exciting experience to be up there with him, listening to him be so candid, and so funny, about his mental health struggles and the various ways forward. Just look at my expression. There were lots of wonderful surpris…

Matt Haig, on stage! It was an exciting experience to be up there with him, listening to him be so candid, and so funny, about his mental health struggles and the various ways forward. Just look at my expression. There were lots of wonderful surprises in his talk!