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

Hidden gardens of England
in 'This England', February 2023
Catherine Larner speaks to garden writer Barbara Segall about her new book on the secret gardens of Kent, Sussex and Surrey.
Racing to victory
in 'Suffolk', February 2023
A group of young sailors from Suffolk are starting 2023 as world champions, winning a thrilling competition in Australia.
Suffolk Book League: join the 'movement'
in 'Suffolk', January 2023
Festivals, signings, launch parties, television and radio discussions, book clubs, blogs, even BookTok - there are so many ways we can engage with authors and their work these days.
The mirth of Matt
in 'Suffolk', December 2022
For many of us, a witty cartoon that shows us the funny side of the nation's dilemmas is the perfect start to the day. And that goes for the cartoonist too...
'A world gone haywire is my guiding star'
in 'Suffolk', December 2022
From the relative calm of his Aldeburgh home, satirist Craig Brown maintains his prolific output of humour, parody, biography and social commentary that includes 30 years as a contributor to 'Private Eye'.
The goosebump factor
in 'Suffolk', December 2022
It could be the title of a book but it's actually one way Suffolk literary agent Emma Shercliff knows she's found a good author.

Forthcoming events

I am always planning new events but at the moment I have nothing quite ready to announce.

When life gives you lemons

A play has just opened in the West End, quirkily titled 'Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons' (that's five 'lemons'). Starring 'Poldark's Aidan Turner and 'Victoria's Jenna Coleman, it is described as 'a tender and funny rom-com' but it's so much more than an evening's light entertainment.

The premise of the play, written by Sam Steiner, is that a law is proposed, and then passed, where each citizen is limited to speaking only 140 words a day. 

The two characters, Oliver and Bernadette haven't long been a couple. They think they've told each other all the important bits about their lives before the law is passed, but of course things are never that simple. So how do they cope with this limit on their conversation? What are the words they choose to say to each other? What does this limit on communication mean to the balance of power in society? When do you use up your words to avoid dealing with the difficult 'stuff', and when do you just start singing?!

This was just the most amazing tonic. It was lovely to be at a London theatre again for one thing, but it was so refreshing to watch a warm, funny, lively play which also had moments of poignancy and quiet, and which left us all with so much to ponder and discuss.

Very often deep and difficult issues are presented in gritty, dark, angst-driven rants on the stage, I find, which may be creatively formidable but leave me wrung through and despondent. This was exciting, energising and stimulating while also making some interesting and challenging points about communication and power. Go and see it if you can - or buy the book!

Thank you for reading.

 

More about books

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