February 6, 2019 - 10:06am by Anonymous

As a freelance journalist, writer, editor and presenter, I have enjoyed many years meeting and interviewing fascinating people, and visiting wonderful locations worldwide.

I regularly conduct on-stage interviews with authors and personalities at festivals and events, and for more than 10 years co-hosted a monthly on air book club with Lesley Dolphin at BBC Radio Suffolk.

Details of my events, book reviews and recommendations can be found on my website moreaboutbooks.com and all the latest information is available in my weekly e-newsletter which you can receive by signing up here or read recent issues here.

Or follow me on Twitter @catherinelarner

In the press

Magazine cover pagesAs a journalist I contribute lifestyle features and profiles for regional and national newspapers and magazines. As the former editor of the leading business journal for the fitness industry in Europe, I regularly contributed articles about the market for a US publication.

published articles

On the radio

For more than 10 years I've co-hosted an on-air book club on BBC Radio Suffolk with Lesley Dolphin. Listen to past book club discussions here.

In addition, my print articles and author interviews often feature as podcasts. You can listen to a recent interview with former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams for Premier Radio here.

view archive on moreaboutbooks.com

At events

Hosting book launches and talks for festivals and events throughout Suffolk, I regularly interview authors on stage with audiences from 30 to 300. In the past year I have been in conversation with Esther Freud, Salley Vickers, Simon Garfield, Susie Dent, Melissa Harrison and Elly Griffiths.

view event listings on moreaboutbooks.com

Recent articles

Saying goodbye to Harold Fry
in 'Suffolk', June 2023
Author Rachel Joyce's much-loved character has made it onto film and inspired two more books, ending Rachel's own personal journey...well, almost.
'You couldn't make it up'
in 'Suffolk', June 2023
Former police officer Alfie Moore has been challenging audiences to walk in his copper's books for more than a decade.
A germ of an idea
in 'Suffolk', June 2023
Broadcaster and author Simon Mayo heads to the Slaughter in Southwold festival this month to chat about his new novel with a strangely familiar theme.
Travelling troupes
in 'This England', June 2023
Catherine Larner meets the thespians who travel by bike and boat to bring theatre to local audiences all over the country.
Rocking the Boat
in 'Country Living', June 2023
From her Norfolk workshop, Abbey Molyneux is one of a growing crew of female boatbuilders keeping a traditional craft afloat.
The lake near Sudbourne
in 'Suffolk', May 2023
Suffolk author Sarah Hardy found the inspiration for her atmospheric new novel right on her doorstep

Forthcoming events

The Reverend Richard Coles in conversation
Wednesday 21st June, 12.00pm
at Riverside Cinema, Woodbridge
The writer, presenter and vicar Richard Coles will be joining us for this special lunchtime event, talking about his new mystery 'A Death in the Parish'.

The bestselling writer, broadcaster and vicar, Richard Coles will be visiting Woodbridge for this special lunchtime event to talk about his second Canon Clement Mystery, ‘A Death in the Parish’. 

This is the follow up to Richard’s first novel, the Sunday Times number one bestseller ‘Murder Before Evensong’.

Another crime has been committed in the parish of Champton and it’s up to Daniel Clement to solve the mystery and steady his flock, assisted by his beloved dachshunds, Cosmo and Hilda.

Catherine Larner will be in conversation with Richard, and there will be plenty of time for audience questions too before meeting the author for book signing.

We are expecting great demand for this event, so don’t delay in reserving your place!

Tickets are available online or in person from the Riverside Cinema. Priced £20, they include a signed copy of ‘A Death in the Parish’ (RRP£18.99). One further ticket can be purchased for £10, without the book. Details: 01394 382174 

Introducing Margaret Meyer
Tuesday 4th July, 7.30pm
at Woodbridge Library
Margaret will be in conversation with Catherine Larner, talking about her inspiration and motivation in writing 'The Witching Tide', a stunning and haunting novel set in East Anglia during England's deadliest witch hunt, in the 17th century.

It's Suffolk in 1654 and Martha Hallybread, a midwife, healer and servant, has lived peacefully for more than 40 years in her beloved Cleftwater. Everyone in the village knows Martha but no one has heard her speak.

One morning, Martha witnesses a witch hunt, led by the sinister new arrival Silas Makepeace. As a trusted member of the community, Martha is enlisted to search the bodies of the accused women for evidence. But while she wants to help her friends, Martha also harbours a dark secret which could cost her own freedom.

Margaret Meyer was inspired to write 'The Witching Tide' when she chanced across a small exhibition in Aldeburgh's Moot Hall detailing the women involved in the witch hunts of the 17th century. Imagining the horrors of this time of suspicion and persecution, she wanted to use her novel to tell the stories of the women who had been written out of history, and to hold up a mirror to the world in which we live now.

This is a fabulous book, wonderfully atmospheric and sensitively told. Margaret is fascinating to hear speak about her characters and story development as well as how her varied careers have led her to this point, seeing her first novel attracting international attention and acclaim. 

Tickets are £18.50 and include a copy of 'The Witching Tide' (RRP£18.99) and refreshments. www.moreaboutbooks.com

Meeting your heroes

While I enjoy making trips to London for big shows or exhibitions, there's something very special about seeing familiar faces or meeting skilled creative people in your own local community.

This weekend I enjoyed hearing chat show host and presenter Clive Andersonspeak at Aldeburgh and I toured artists' homes through the Suffolk Open Studios initiative in Woodbridge.

Seeing beautiful pieces of art, whether paintings, sculpture or pottery, was very energising and uplifting. It was also inspiring to see how these skilled and gifted people chose to shape their lives and lifestyles around their creativity, seeking to overcome the challenges we all face, particularly in terms of time and money, to express themselves and fulfil their passion.

And Clive Anderson, known for his self-deprecation and mocking manner, was also enlightening as he reviewed his on-screen disasters. Despite always preparing his interviews meticulously, his brief for his tv programmes was always to get a laugh, he said, but the interviewee wasn't always willing to participate in this intent. As a result the Bee Gees walked off mid conversation and Richard Branson poured a glass of water over Clive's head.

Though I'm hoping there won't be any such incidents when Reverend Richard Coles talks to me on stage at the Riverside in a few weeks' time, it is sure to be a memorable occasion in other ways, so I hope you'll be able to join us (scroll down for details). Tickets are selling well, so don't delay if you want to get a good seat! 

Thank you for reading.

 

More about books

Catherine LarnerFor my book reviews, event information and blog, please visit moreaboutbooks.com