We are delighted to welcome AJ West to the shop to talk about his latest release ‘The Betrayal of Thomas True’. Set amidst the hidden world of Georgian London’s ‘gay’ scene, this is a brutal and devastating thriller, where love must overcome evil, and the only true sin is betrayal …
As part of Queer History Club we are thrilled to welcome Jake Hall to talk about their book, Shoulder to Shoulder with historian Kit Heyam.
Join Jess Wright on the last Tuesday of every month for a few hours of focused writing time. Each session will use a couple of queer texts as jumping off points for a series of writing exercises, with opportunities (but no requirement!) to polish and share short pieces. Aimed at both poets and prose writers who want to deepen their craft in dialogue with the queer literary tradition and in connection with others.
Part of Leeds Lit Fest 2024
Join author George Severs and activist Mick Ward to talk about AIDS Activism at the next Queer History Club.
George's recently published book, Radical Acts, is a detailed history of the radical HIV / AIDS movement in England. It draws on activist campaign literature, broadcast media and oral history interviews, breaking new ground by studying everyday activism alongside marches and protests.
Join us at The Open Book Club, a monthly gathering for anyone who loves a good natter about books. We meet up to discuss a chosen book in a friendly and inviting atmosphere.
Reservation Details:
To secure your spot, a non-refundable deposit of £10 is required. This deposit covers venue expenses and a free drink for you! Please reserve your place through Eventbrite, as spaces are limited.
Questions:
If you have any questions, feel free to fire us a direct message on our Instagram page (@theopen_bookclub). We're happy to help!
Sharan Hunjan is a poet and teacher from London. She is part of the literary collective 4 BROWN GIRLS WHO WRITE, whose first collaborative book was published by FEM Press, and has had work published in the poetry anthology Slam! You’re Gonna Wanna Hear This (Pan MacMillan 2020).
She published her pamphlet, ‘Hatch’, as part of the 4 BROWN GIRLS WHO WRITE publication with Rough Trade Books in 2020.
With 4 BROWN GIRLS WHO WRITE she has performed at Stoke Newington Literary Festival, Edinburgh Fringe, British Library and Tate and appeared in British Vogue.
Helen Lederer was a regular on the stand-up circuit and new-wave sketch shows in the decade that launched the careers of today’s comedy household names and national treasures.
From the iconic Absolutely Fabulous to Bottom, Happy Families, Naked Video, French and Saunders and Girls on Top; it is difficult to think of a comedy show that Helen wasn’t a part of. So... plain sailing then? Well, not really.
Join poets and fellow Dream Catcher editors Hannah Stone and Joe Williams in conversation on Hannah's most recent collection, The Invisible Worm (Indigo Dreams Publishing, 2023).
'Part threnody, part celebration of friendship’, these poems celebrate Hannah’s friendship with Rosemary Mitchell, and explore how we face end of life.
Hannah is Poet-Theologian to Leeds Church Institute, and convenes poetry/music collaborations. Last year she featured in the Guardian’s Poem of the Week, and won the David Oluwale Memorial Association Writing competition.
Leeds-based SI Leeds Literary Prize is a biennial writing competition for UK-based Black and Asian women writers, which is currently open for submissions of unpublished fiction. Closing date for submissions 13th May.