The team of booksellers behind independent bookshop Golden Hare Books have been busying away organising a very special programme of talks, workshops and activities this autumn. Join them for events on on fiction, cookery, politics and graphic novels, plus poetry showcases, panels and a full programme of workshops from memoir writing to open mic performance.

Author and comic artist, Kate Charlesworth will be in discussion with Heather Parry and Maria Stoian about how the graphic novel is an effective form to convey the experiences of women in society.

In 1950, when Kate was born, male homosexuality carried a custodial sentence. But female homosexuality had never been an offence in the UK, effectively rendering lesbians even more invisible than they already were—often to themselves. Growing up in Yorkshire, the young Kate had to find role models wherever she could, in real life, books, film and TV. Her graphic memoir, Sensible Footwear: A Girl’s Guide is a fascinating history of how post-war Britain transformed from a country hostile towards ‘queer’ lives to the LGBQTI+ universe of today, recording the political gains and challenges against a backdrop of personal experience: realising her own sexuality, coming out to her parents and embracing lesbian and gay culture.

‘Undoubtedly one of the most crucial graphic memoirs of the year.’ Andy Oliver, Broken Frontier

The event will run from 1.30 pm – 2.30 pm on the 18th October at St Vincent’s Chapel. There will be a small press pop-up bookshop at St Stephens all weekend featuring independent publishing, and a pop-up cafe at St Vincent’s Chapel by Smith and Gertrude.

See the full festival programme HERE. 

Support the festival via Crowdfunder HERE.