Headliners 2023
A virtual celebration of 2023’s new literary stars
It’s amazing what you can pack into an hour. You could indulge in a full body massage, or burn a few hundred calories playing tennis. You could cook a couple of wholesome stews and soups to eat during the coming week. You could take your dog for a nice walk, watch three episodes of The Office, or watch one third of The Hobbit. You could listen to sixteen covers of Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake it Off’. Or, you could have listened to the below dazzling authors (and some secret guests) talking about their upcoming 2023 releases, if you were lucky enough to get a ticket to the Tandem Headliners 2023 online event.
Expertly hosted by journalist, editor and interviewer Sarah Shaffi, our Headliners event took an in-depth, exclusive look at the shiniest upcoming releases from our friends at Headline. Despite Sarah battling through a particularly menacing head cold, it was an evening of intrigue, celebration and tantalising tasters of the rich feast of literary pleasures which will be bestowed upon us in 2023, with all proceeds going to Arts Emergency, an award winning mentoring and support network which helps young people to get started in the arts. With interactive social challenges and chat throughout the evening, it was the Collective at its finest.
Chikodili Emelumadu opened the evening’s proceedings with Dazzling style. See what I did there? No? Then allow me to introduce you to Chikodili’s debut novel Dazzling. Dazzling is an unapologetically feminist tale about two girls who come into contact with destinies that are perceived to be far beyond their gender and certainly far beyond their ages, in a male dominated society. Chikodili pulled upon her own experience in two different Nigerian boarding schools to tell this coming-of-age tale of sacrifice and power. During her time at a boarding school in the middle of a Nigerian forest, Chikodili realised that the school grounds had no gate; which struck her as strange, as students could easily walk out of school. It turned out that what was outside the school was much more dangerous than what was inside the school itself… Dazzling will be released on 16th February 2023.
Next up was a short but sweet ‘hello’ video from Aasmah Mir. Her ‘double memoir’ A Pebble in the Throat recounts her childhood in 1970s and 1980s Glasgow, and the story of her mother living in Pakistan in the 1950s and 1960s before emigrating to Scotland; look out for it from 2nd March 2023.
Eleanor Shearer discussed her novel River Sing Me Home, which is set in the Caribbean after the abolition of slavery. It’s about a mother looking for the children who were taken away from her; and it’s not a novel about slavery, but a novel about what comes after slavery, and what it means to be free. Eleanor studied the legacy of slavery and the case for reparations for her Masters degree, but this story actually pre-dated her studies; it goes all the way back to when she was 16, when she went to an exhibition where a small panel told the tale of some women who went to find their children after slavery. The seed was planted, and once Eleanor’s studies were completed, she began to write. This stunning novel sheds light on how the geography of places like the Caribbean and Barbados affected the outcome of families separated by slavery; a true story within a story within a story, charting a mother’s love across oceans, years and narratives formerly lost. River Sing Me Home will be released on 19th January 2023.
Matt Cane, leading commentator on LGBTQIA issues and presenter, treated us to a video snippet to tell us about his new book Becoming Ted. Set in a fictional English seaside town, the book tells the story of Ted, a chap in his mid forties who has just been dumped by his husband, seemingly out of the blue. But, as time passes, Ted realises that - now free of his domineering ex husband - he is free to pursue his dream of becoming a drag queen. Restore your inner sparkle with Becoming Ted, coming out 19th January 2023.
Abigail Burdess has written for and acted in various comedy shows, writes TV for kids and plays and musicals too - you could say she ‘dabbles’ in the most excellent way. Her debut novel, Mother’s Day, is about a woman called Anna, who was left at the side of the road as a baby. She finds her birth mother on the same day that Anna finds out that she herself is pregnant. This darkly comic thriller is a story about the identity of mothers, of the expectations we have of our parents and our children. Abigail set out to show the nuanced side of motherhood; to take her characters on the biggest possible journey that she could, and the result is a fascinating, richly tense tale. Mother’s Day will be released on 2nd March 2023.
Our wonderful guests for the evening then took part in the second social challenge of the evening, with the chance to win an exclusive proof copy of The Housekeepers before Charlotte Crosby, beloved reality TV star, author and ambassador of the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, gave us a tantalising glimpse into her third memoir with Headline; delving into everything that’s gone on from meeting her soulmate Jake, her journey through pregnancy and her first steps into motherhood. Me, Myself and Mini Me will be released on 2nd March 2023.
Viktoria Lloyd -Barlow was up next to enchant us with a look at her upcoming release All the Little Bird Hearts. Viktoria is an autistic author, and this novel tells the tale of an autistic single mother called Sunday, living in Lake District in the 1960s raising her daughter, Dolly. When a couple move in next door and bewitch Dolly and Sunday, their lives change completely. Set in a time pre-dating the language, understanding and diagnosis around autism that we have now, this beautiful book charts the ever-changing dynamic between mother and daughter on the autism spectrum. Viktoria told us that she didn’t want to romanticise the autistic reality, but to show the nuances, the beauty and the joy alongside the challenges. A touching, unique story of realism rooted in romance which is not to be missed. Releasing 2nd March 2023.
Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett, esteemed columnist and author, joined us to talk about her book The Year of the Cat. The novel tells the tale of Mackerel, a kitten who Rhiannon adopted, their relationship and how it grew and affected Rhiannon’s decision on whether or not to become a parent in a mad, historical, precarious moment in time. Examining the relationship between woman and cat - touching on the historical stereotype of the crazy cat lady, stigmatised for being childless and loving cats - it’s an extremely sweet yet in-depth look at what it means to care for people and animals, what it means to make a life. It’s for readers who love cats, yes, but also for those who have experience of caring for a loved one or who have wrestled with the question of parenthood. The Year of the Cat releases 19th January 2023.
Meg Clothier, author and journalist, told us about The Book of Eve, her second novel. It takes place in a time period very like 1500 in a place very like northern Italy, where a magic manuscript falls into the hands of Beatrice, a convent librarian. The book contains the power of the forgotten and forbidden mother goddess; and the patriarchal, religious men who run the city aren’t impressed. Meg undertook extensive historical research while writing this book, but soon realised the joy of setting her story in her own universe and making it semi-fictional, and semi-historical; all the joy of historical fiction but the freedom as a writer to make tweaks. The protagonist, Beatrice, finds solace in books, a deep personal connection to Meg who attended a very old fashioned, religious boarding school. On her first afternoon, feeling overwhelmed, she had to go and lie down to read a book, but a teacher told her to stop reading and go and play. Meg was horrified that she couldn’t have this quiet sanctuary with her book; and thus a seed was planted for The Book of Eve, a story of how books can be consoling but that sometimes, it’s time to put them down and connect with others; in Beatrice’s case, to connect with female power. The Book of Eve releases 30th March 2023.
Alex Hay was our final guest of the evening, bravely battling through the same voice-stealing lurgy that Sarah was fighting off. Alex studied history at the University of York and wrote his dissertation on female power - are you spotting a theme running through this event? - and has been writing since he can remember. The Housekeepers is his debut novel; historical heist novel set in the summer of 1905 which tells the story of the charming Mrs King, the sharp-witted housekeeper to one of Mayfair’s grandest mansions. When she is unfairly dismissed after 20 years of loyal service, Mrs King recruits an eccentric band of criminal associates - all former servants - to strip the house of its riches on the night of the grandest ball of the year, right under the nose of her former employer. Alex gave us a fascinating insight into why he chose a heist novel; he wanted to write something fun, with a protagonist who has a clear goal, who recruits a team which gives the author a chance to write a wide and colourful cast. Alex wanted to marry that with a delicious setting to play with and, having been a child who borrowed Upstairs Downstairs VHS tapes from the library, it had to be an Edwardian house for Alex. Mrs King has built a persona that she can live and hide behind, but as she carries out her daring scheme, she has to reconcile that persona with the real her; testing her bond with her team of associates to the limit. The Housekeepers is out 6th July 2023.
Thus concluded this most teasing, enthralling evening; it’s safe to say our TBR lists have expanded considerably, and we are willing 2023 to come around quickly.
Our warmest thanks go out to the Headliner 2023 event sponsors; Everleaf Drinks, Montezuma’s chocolate, Popcorn Shed and British Snack Co to the wonderful authors, and to Sarah for hosting such a brilliant evening.