Romsey Literary Day preparing to celebrate women’s writing
The day will be held on Saturday, May 10, with the theme inspired by a quote from keynote speaker Laura Bates: “One of the best places any woman who wants to change the world can start is by picking up a book.”
The event, which is suitable for anyone over 16, aims to entertain and educate people interested in the power of language.
Bates, an author, commentator, and activist on gender issues, will discuss her experience setting up the Everyday Sexism project and her recent books.
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Laura Bates, Dr Jonathan Healey, Dr Kim Simpson, Louise Morrish and Goldfinch Books of Alton will be present at Romsey Literary Day. (Image: Supplied) Her latest work, The New Age of Sexism, due for release in May, will delve into the implications of artificial intelligence.
Bates has also explored fiction writing, creating the Arthurian Sisterhood books that present an alternative pathway for teenage girls.
Dr Jonathan Healey, an associate professor of social history at Kellogg College, Oxford University, will also be speaking at the event.
His talk, titled Busy stateswomen and zealous she-saints: Revolutionary women in 17th Century England, will shed light on the influence of women during the Civil War.
Dr Healey’s books, The Blazing World and The Blood in Winter, explore the impact of the Civil War on modern society.
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Another speaker, Dr Kim Simpson, is the deputy director at Chawton House, which houses a unique collection of works by early women writers.
Dr Simpson will share tales of Sisters of the Pen: Women writers we should know but don’t.
Local author Louise Morrish will host the day and share her journey as an author.
Morrish writes books inspired by the lives of extraordinary women in wartime, who are often overlooked by history.
Her recently published book, Women of War, tells the stories of two such women.
Goldfinch Books of Alton will provide a pop-up bookshop at the event, supporting the authors present.
Tickets are available by going to eventbrite.co.uk/e/913008241227.
The organisers of Romsey Literary Day have received backing from Romsey Future, Test Valley Borough Council and the Hampshire Federation of Women’s Institutes.
Originally conceived to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Romsey WI, the day has transformed into a broader celebration of literature and the town’s history.
For more information, visit the Romsey WI website or search for Romsey Literary Day on Facebook.
