Bath and North East Somerset Libraries

Authors in the Library

Authors in the library.

Every month we’ll have a local author appearing in one of our libraries to chat about their writing careers and latest book releases. Each event will be held on the third Friday of the month (except December) from 2-3pm.

Click on an author’s picture or name to find out more.

Upcoming Authors in the Library

Jane Duffus

February: Jane Duffus

James Hawes

February: James Hawes

S J Richards

February: S J Richards

Felice Hardy

March: Felice Hardy

Cathy Faulkner

April: Cathy Faulkner

Cate Ray

May: Cate Ray

Louise Douglas

June: Louise Douglas

Ali Bacon

September: Ali Bacon

Previous Authors in the Library

Paula Harmon

Paula Harmon

Shaun Attwood

Shaun Attwood

Dandy Smith

Dandy Smith

Rachel Ward

Rachel Ward

Hana Tooke

Hana Tooke

Annabelle Marx

Annabelle Marx

Charlotte Butterfield

Charlotte Butterfield

Claire Douglas

January: Claire Douglas

If you’re a local author who would like to be considered for future events, please email your details to library_events@bathnes.gov.uk.

James Hawes

February in Bath Central Library

James Hawes

James Hawes is a British novelist and popular historian who has been an official bestseller in both genres. His latest book, the Shortest History of England is a fast-paced tour of 2,000 years of English history.

The Shortest History of England by James Hawes

Cathy Faulkner

April in Keynsham Library

Cathy Faulkner is a children’s middle grade author. Her first book Digging for Victory was longlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal, the Branford Boase Award and the UKLA Book Awards.

The Treasure Seekers by Cathy Faulkner

Louise Douglas

June in Midsomer Norton Library

Louise Douglas

Louise Douglas writes 14 mystery suspense and Gothic novels, which have sold well over a million copies. Her latest book, The Emerald Shawl, is a Victorian murder-mystery, set in Bristol.

The Emerald Shawl by Louise Douglas

Claire Douglas

January in Keynsham Library

Claire Douglas

Claire Douglas won the Marie Claire Debut Novel Award with her first novel, The Sisters.


She is now a Sunday Times bestseller and a frequent Richard & Judy Book Club pick. Her latest novel is the thriller, The New Neighbours.

The New Neighbours by Claire Douglas

S J Richards

February in Midsomer Norton Library

S J Richards

Steve Richards writes a crime thriller series based in Somerset and featuring ex-DCI Luke Sackville.

Book 10, ‘Behind the Ivy’, was published in December 2025 and sees Luke and his team investigating a conspiracy that reaches into the highest levels of British society.

Behind the Ivy by S J Richards

Jane Duffus

February in Keynsham Library

Jane Duffus
by @JonCraig_Photos

Jane Duffus is a journalist, editor and author of the Women Who Built Bristol series.

The Women Who Built Bristol is a bursting compendium of brilliant women who helped to shape Bristol into the vibrant city it is today.

The Women Who Built Bristol by Jane Duffus
The Women Who Built Bristol volume three by Jane Duffus

Ali Bacon

September in Midsomer Norton Library

Ali Bacon

Ali bacon is the author of contemporary and historical fiction. Ali’s speciality is historical fiction based on real lives, sometimes referred to as biographical fiction. Her latest novel, The Absent Heart involves the iconic and perennially popular writer Robert Louis Stevenson.

The Absent Heart by Ali Bacon

Dandy Smith

June in Midsomer Norton

Dandy Smith
Dandy Smith

Dandy Smith is best known for her bestselling psychological thriller The Wrong Daughter. Dandy's latest book was released in March, and is the domestic thriller The Wedding Vow.

The Wedding Vow by Dandy Smith

Rachel Ward

July in Keynsham

Rachel Ward

Rachel Ward is an award-winning author of adult crime books, YA thrillers and non-fiction. Rachel's latest books are a cozy mystery series, The Supermarket Mysteries.

The Missing Heirloom Mystery by Rachel Ward

Shaun Attwood

October in Keynsham

Shaun Attwood

Shaun Attwood is a former stock-market millionaire and Ecstasy trafficker turned author, public speaker and activist. Shaun's books include titles chronicling his experience in prison.

Sitdowns with Gangsters. Killers, Traffickers and Thieves. My real and terrifying conversations with ten of the world's most dangerous men by Shaun Attwood.

Book your ticket

Paula Harmon

November in Bath Central

Paula Harmon

Paula Harmon's latest books are the Margaret Demeray series. Paula also gives illustrated talks about Victorian and Edwardian women’s history discussing the amazing achievements of women who have largely been overlooked, forgotten or written over. 

A Justified Death by Paula Harmon

Book your ticket

Charlotte Butterfield

December in Midsomer Norton

This event will be on the 12th of December

Charlotte Butterfield

Charlotte Butterfield is a former magazine editor and journalist. Charlotte has written romantic comedies, but now works on high-concept women's fiction with heart. Her latest release is The Sister Switch.

The Sister Switch by Charlotte Butterfield

Book your ticket

Felice Hardy

March in Midsomer Norton Library

Felice Hardy

Felice Hardy is an author and travel writer. Her recent book, The Tennis Champion Who Escaped The Nazis, is a family memoir based around her grandparents’ lives and their escape to London from Nazi-occupied Vienna in 1939. 

The Tennis Champion Who Escaped The Nazis by Felice Hardy

Cate Ray

May in Bath Central Library

Cate Ray
Photo by Paolo Ferla

Cate Ray is a British suspense author. Her debut novel, 'Blind', was longlisted for the Waverton Good Read award and she was named an "Author to Watch" by ELLE magazine.

Younger Woman by Cate Ray

Annabelle Marx

September in Midsomer Norton

Annabelle Marx

Annabelle Marx is an historical fiction writer. Annabelle's latest release is the Rebel of Seventh Avenue; a sweeping tale of ambition, love, and a woman determined to fashion not just beautiful clothes, but her own place in a man’s world.

The Rebel of Seventh Avenue by Annabelle Marx

Hana Tooke

August in Bath Central Library

Hana Tooke

Hana Tooke is the bestselling children's author of The Unadoptables and The Midnighters. Hana' eagerly anticipated new novel SKULKMOOR is out September 4th.

After the talk unleash your imagination in her Curious Cartography workshop, where you’ll dream up and design your very own mysterious mansion.

This event is suitable for ages 7-11.

Tickets are only required for children, however parents must remain for the duration of the event.